The Complete Hair Timeline For Brides to Follow

Hair and makeup are a big part of your wedding style preparations, aesthetically speaking, they're the icing on the cake for your overall look. Great hair doesn't just happen, it takes a little more than just booking a stylist , checking out trends and hoping for the best on your big day. In fact, there's actually important groundwork to be done well in advance if you want your hair to look its absolute best.

Getting your hair looking as healthy as possible requires a few months of care - from treatments, and using the right haircare and styling tools, to your routine. Three months is the minimum hair timeline for brides to work with to ensure your hair health, cut and colour come together perfectly, but the sooner you start the better, so let's get started!

Image by Sarah Kate Photography via One Fab Day

Three Months Before the Wedding

Three months might feel a long way away but it's the perfect time to schedule appointments to make sure you're on track with your bridal haircare timeline. These include; a wedding day hair trial, a cut, colour and in salon treatments, and maybe even a consult with a trichologist if you suffer from issues such as thinning hair, psoriasis or alopecia.

• Changing your hair colour for your wedding can mean multiple salon visits if it's a big departure from the colour you have now, so ideally that would begin at least six months out.
• Cutting your hair in a new style is also best done as early as possible in case you don't like it. Three months is enough time to grow it back (hopefully).
• But if you do love it (hurrah), prebook a trim just before the wedding day to make it look fresh and sharp.
• If your hair health needs a boost, now is the perfect time to start taking a beauty supplement, allowing those specialised nutrients enough time to work their magic and ensure stronger, fuller hair. You really need to take any supplement for at least three months continuously to see a difference.
• If you need professional help with your hair health, make an appointment with a certified trichologist.

Three hair supplements we love: Vida Glow Hairology, €51.75/30 caps, Nourkrin Woman, €49.99/60 caps and Oskia MSM Bio-Plus, €84/120 caps

Two Months Before the Wedding

Maybe you already know how you want your wedding day hair to look. Add a fun element to your hair timeline by creating a Pinterest or mood board to show your stylist, and save looks you like on Instagram. Wedding inspiration is everywhere, from social media to websites (like One Fab Day, of course), and it's never too early to start. So follow stylists and sites you like and hit save.

• Closer to the big day you will need to have a hair trial with your stylist to ensure your chosen hairstyle works well with your veil, dress and accessories, and having a photo reference makes things so much easier.
• Ask your regular hair stylist for advice on specific haircare recommendations for your hair type that you can use in the run up to the big day.
• There are lots of products that work on volume, frizz, and give the hair a denser appearance, too, which they can recommend to see what works for you.
• We have a post on taming frizz in time for your wedding here!

Image by Hello Sugar Photography via One Fab Day

One Month Before the Wedding

If you haven't intensified your weekly haircare routine, now is the perfect time to start seeing a noticeable difference. Make masking your new best friend and treat your hair to deep nourishment once a week. Your stylist is the best person to advise on the type of hair mask that will work for your hair.

There is a big difference in the ingredients and formulas for fine, medium and thicker hair types. You might need something with protein, like keratin, to strengthen your hair, or just hydrating ingredients like Pro-Vitamin B5.

• Scalp care should also be a consideration, as naturally, healthy hair grows from a healthy scalp. Talk to your stylist about using a pre-wash oil or serum that boosts circulation and nourishes your hair from the root.
• If you're a dry shampoo fan, buy a clarifying shampoo to give the hair and scalp a thorough cleanse once a week, to allow those powerful ingredients to penetrate the hair.
• If your hair is coloured or damaged, consider reducing heat styling to preserve those precious lengths, or opt for low-impact stylers like the Dyson Airwrap.
• For blow-drying, try adding a UV-protecting leave-in spray through the lengths. To seal any split ends, add a touch of hair oil to the tips of the hair before drying.
• Wrapping your hair in silk at night is a great way to keep hair healthy, as it cuts down on the need for heat styling, and we have a whole post on that here!

Three Scalp Essentials: JVN Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil, €32.20/50ml, Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo, €27/250ml and The Nue Co. Supa_Thick Hair Treatment, €46/100ml

Three Weeks Before the Wedding

Now is the time for your trial with your wedding hair stylist. Bring your veil and the moodboard of inspirational images. Hopefully, you will have your dress, but if not, bring a picture of you in it. Be sure to tell the stylist the theme or style of the wedding, if there is one.

Maybe it's at a country castle, a city affair or a rustic gathering, and the venue and dress together might suit a classic style or a look that's more boho. At your trial, ask your stylist to take pictures of every angle of the finished look. This ensures you are 100% happy with the look.

Top tip: Book your trial early in the day, so that you can see how long the style lasts in your hair.

Image by Stylicious via One Fab Day

Two Weeks Before the Wedding

Next week will be busy with last-minute details, and you might not have time for beauty matters. Make an appointment for a trim and colour to remove split ends and keep your hair colour looking fresh. With two weeks to go, this gives your hair time to settle.

Keep up your masking sessions and scalp care throughout this fortnight. If you are heading off on your honeymoon or a mini-moon soon after the wedding, consider our haircare essentials below, which can be conveniently packed. You don't want the sun and sea undoing your good work.

Three Holiday Hair Essentials: Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray, €32/236ml, Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water-Resistant Mask, €44.45/200ml and Oribe Balm d'Or Heat Styling Shield, €60/100ml

One Week Before the Wedding

The one-week countdown is on to your big day. Follow your regular routine and avoid introducing anything that might damage or disrupt your hair, such as new haircare products or overstyling. Apply one last mask this week, but ensure it's on at least two days before your wedding day. This is in case your hair is so soft that your stylist finds it challenging to work with it.

Double-check all your wedding day timings for the big day with your stylist and anyone else who is getting their hair done. Ask anyone else having their hair styled to be on time and to arrive with clean hair. Remind everyone that once their hair is done, they shouldn't pull on anything over their heads; they'll need a robe to wear while their hair is being done.

We have a post on where to find gorgeous wedding morning robes here.

Image by Eden Creative Photography via One Fab Day

The Wedding Day

Your big day is finally here! Make sure your stylist has access to sockets and a mirror to keep to the schedule. Set up a table for brushes, tools, bobby pins and hairspray to avoid the stylist (or you) unnecessary stress. Make sure your veil and any accessories are steamed and hung or laid out. Assemble a small bag of essentials in case your hairstyle comes loose or needs retouching; see below.

Three Wedding Day Essentials: Rituals Elixir Collection Fixating Hairspray, €7.90/75ml, Shiseido Oil-Control Blotting Papers, €29/100 sheets, and Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk for All Hair Types, €6.45/50ml

What To Pack On the Wedding Day

• A mini tin of hairspray, choose a light or strong formula depending on your desired style and hair type.
• Pack Bobby pins for any hair that gets loose.
• In case of sweating, pack blotting papers to absorb moisture and oil.
• Fragranced hair mist is not a must, but it is a lovely treat to scent your bridal hair, especially if you're taking it down for dancing.
• To refresh your hair for the afterparty or day two pack dry shampoo.

More helpful posts to help you get ready for your big day:

• How to Help Your Makeup Last All Day (and Night)
• The One Thing Every Bride Needs For Immaculate Hair
• 90s-Inspired Hair & Makeup Looks For the Super Cool Bride
• Wedding Hair Inspiration: Low-Key & Romantic Bridal Ponytails
• The Best Wedding Hairstylists In Ireland