On Time = On Point: Staying on Schedule for Bridal Hair & Makeup
- Apr 2
- 7 min read
Let’s talk about one of the biggest (but totally avoidable) stressors on a wedding morning — running late.
The truth is, your makeup and hair artist is usually the very first vendor to arrive on the wedding morning. We set the vibe and tempo for the day—whether you're eloping or surrounded by a big, joyful girl gang (with mums, sisters, aunts, and even grandmum all lined up to get glam).
As your makeup magician and hair wizard, I want your wedding morning to be smooth, fun, and stress-free. In my (not to age myself here) many, many, MANY years in the wedding world, I’ve probably seen it all—and I’ve got advice for the things we can control, and how to handle the curveballs we can’t.
So, here are my go-to tips for keeping you and your bridal party on time (and glowing) for your big day.
1. Start with a Schedule (and Stick to It!)
Before the big day, I’ll create a custom beauty timeline just for you. This is based on:
How many people are receiving services
Whether you’ve booked a trial or are going à la carte
What time your photographer (if not me!) needs you and your party ready
Whether you're having getting-ready photos or simply slipping into your dress before the ceremony
This schedule sets the pace for the entire wedding morning. It’s essential everyone involved knows what’s happening and when. That means:
👉 Print at least 3 copies of the schedule and post them in key spots.
What to Include in the Morning Timeline:
Hair + makeup schedule with everyone’s name and time slot
When the photographer(s) arrive and what they’re doing (details, scouting, bridal party in robes, etc.)
Arrival times of any additional vendors or guests
Your overall wedding day itinerary (first look, ceremony, portraits, cocktail hour, speeches, etc.)
A task list with names assigned (i.e. who’s drying bouquet stems, who’s doing the coffee run, who’s grabbing the emergency bag if you’re leaving the prep site)
Bonus: If you’re particular about the glam vibes, print and post inspo photos near the prep area for reference. It'll help streamline everyone’s look and avoid confusion.
Where to Post the Schedule:
Near the main prep area (aka where I’ll be set up!)
With your designated schedule wrangler (not you, lovely bride!)
In the bathroom or dressing room—yes, really. You’d be surprised how handy that is!
Pro Tip: Buffer is Better
I build in 45 minutes per service (excluding the bride), though I usually only need 30–35. That gives us wiggle room for consultations, tweaks, and those little unexpected moments.
I also pad the end of our booking with 15–20 minutes just in case—whether someone needs a quick touch-up, or we want to add a little body glow once you’re in your dress.
Mini Touch-Up Kits for the Win
Everyone getting makeup done receives a mini kit from me with essentials for touch-ups (mini lipstick or gloss and blotting paper). So if you’re done earlier in the schedule, you can freshen up on your own before walking down the aisle. Ask about upgrading to the deluxe kit pictured below which is what is included in every brides makeup package!
2. Be Ready for Your Chair
When it’s your turn in the glam chair—be ready, babe! I coordinate your beauty schedule to flow smoothly with the rest of your vendors, so being prepped and present helps keep the whole morning on track. Here’s how to show up like the pro client you are:
✅ What to Wear
A button-up shirt, robe, or anything that won’t mess up your finished hair and makeup when you change.
Think cozy, functional, and photogenic.
🚻 Bathroom Break First!
Before you sit down, go to the bathroom. You’ll be in the chair for 30–45 minutes, and we don’t want to pause halfway through your look because nature calls. Get it done early so you can relax and enjoy the moment.
🥂 Sips? Yes. Snacks? Not During Makeup
A morning mimosa while you get your hair done? Go for it!
But no food or drinks while getting your makeup done—it’s not snack-proof glam, after all. Plus it's hard to apply makeup when you're chewing!
💁♀️ Inspo Images Ready
Have 1–2 makeup and 1–2 hair inspo photos ready—keep it cohesive and realistic.
This saves time and avoids a 15-minute indecisive brainstorm.
Need help choosing? Email me beforehand and I’ll guide you. I’ve been doing this a long time—tell me what you love, and I’ll create a look that fits you and will last through the hugs, photos, and dance floor.
✨ Come Prepped (But Not Overdone)
When it’s your turn:
Arrive fresh-faced, gently exfoliated, and if you’ve used skincare—awesome! I'll still do a micellar cleanse and apply my own skin prep so everything plays nicely with my kit.
Hair must be clean and dry unless I’ve told you otherwise. Forget the “day-old hair holds better” myth—I style best with fresh, clean strands!
💆♀️ Bonus Prep: Glow Up Before the Big Day
Want to take it up a notch? In the week leading up to your wedding, treat yourself to some skin TLC. Whether you go to a pro or do it yourself at home, a facial is a gorgeous way to boost your glow.
Here’s a quick version of my fave at-home spa ritual but if you want to read the full break down see my " Your step-by-step guide to the Ultimate DIY Facial, Wing-Woman approved" blog post for more in-depth details of the following steps!
Double cleanse (oil or balm, then gentle cleanser)
Steam over hot water with a towel
Exfoliate with a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant
Mask it up (clay for oily areas, hydrating for dry, or multi-mask)
Hydrate with a sheet mask, under-eye patches, and a lip scrub
Seal it all in with moisturizer and facial oil
Do this 3–5 days before the wedding to avoid any surprise reactions. Glowy skin = flawless makeup application.
3. Assign a Point Person
Designate someone in your bridal party who's good at keeping y'all on track (or your planner, if they are not elsewhere getting things sorted morning of) to help rally the troops and keep everyone moving.
I’ll take care of the beauty—your point person can help with timing, organizing final tasks for everyone, wrangling flower girls and appointing the dress steaming detail.
Note on steaming: if this task hasn't been done already it can not.... I'll repeat that: CAN NOT BE DONE BY SOMEONE WHO"S ALREADY BEEN IN THE MAKEUP AND HAIR CHAIR. This is the worst thing to have someone who has already been made up or hair done to do and we don't schedule that much time to reapply, defrizz or re-do someone's look if they chose to ignore this advise. Plan ahead and steam ANYTHING that needs steaming the night before.
If I am waiting on someone to be in my chair, that eats into their appointed time. If needed we can just grab the next available on the schedule to stay on time, but it is not on me to be searching for the next person.
4. Hydrate + Eat
You don’t want to be hangry during vows or faint from excitement. Keep snacks, water, and caffeine handy so you’re fueled and fresh for photos and dancing the night away. Some celebratory bubbles or morning mimosa's are fine, but keep in mind you have a LONG day ahead. Just please note it's usually best to do this before your appointment time and if you need a teeth brush, please also make sure you make time before getting makeup done.
5. Limit Distractions (Just a Bit!)
Wedding mornings are full of love and laughter—which I’m all for—but if everyone’s jumping between selfies, drinks, and outfit changes, we lose time. Have your crew take breaks between appointments so we keep the flow going.
This is also a good time to note: the bride should not be the information desk on the morning of the wedding, so potentially having your point person/MOH/Mum who knows the vision or has the info binder to hold onto your phone ( I'm talking to my brides here) while getting makeup and hair done.
When you are in your spot for getting done up, it's best to not have people constantly coming up to you interrupting our time together. We are ALL excited for you, but it's my job AND priority to make you look like a flawless vision of yourself and it gets harder to do that if you have to explain to bridesmaids what the game plan is, which they should know (cue posted timeline from #1) or a call from your Uncle wondering what to do until the ceremony and if he can swing by to congratulate the happy bride while you get ready. It's a busy morning and time flies when you're having fun but for that small part of the day it's best if you personally are not in charge of anything.
6. Don’t Add People Last Minute
Adding extra services the morning of is one of the biggest ways timelines get derailed. If someone decides they do want makeup after all, let me know ahead of time so I can plan accordingly. I always build realistic time per person and need to respect that so no one feels rushed.
This doesn't mean I can't accommodate, depending on if there is time but having someone hover around hoping to get a spot isn't conducive to a calming environment.
Please don’t rely on me to lend out products or tools. If someone has opted to do their own hair or makeup, they need to bring everything they’ll need
7. Trust the Process
I've done a lot of wedding mornings in my 14+ years—I’ve got you! Let go of the clock-watching and lean into the vibe. You’ll be camera-ready, glowing, and on time (so long as your bridal team is on point with these helpful tips), with a wing-woman by your side every step of the way.
✨ Quick Recap for a Smooth, Stress-Free Morning:
✅ Print and share the full beauty + wedding day timeline
✅ Appoint a schedule wrangler (not you, lovely bride!)
✅ Arrive to your slot ready: clean face, dry hair, inspo images in hand
✅ Eat something, hydrate, and brush those teeth early!
✅ Limit interruptions (hand off the phone!)
✅ No last-minute glam adds—plan ahead!
✅ Trust your glam team—we’ve got your back
Final Thought: Being on time doesn’t mean being uptight—it means creating a calm, joyful space where everyone can relax and soak in every beautiful moment. Let’s set the tone for the best day ever.
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