You’re newly engaged – congratulations! Now’s the time to begin all the planning and prep that goes into a wedding, including your beauty routine. With many treatments requiring months to see significant results, there’s no such thing as ‘too early’ when it comes to your wedding beauty.
A quick disclaimer before we get into the treatments: just because they’re on this list, it doesn’t mean you have to do them. Your wedding shouldn’t be about piling on the pressure to achieve perfection, but about looking and feeling your best on a day that’s all about love. All of these treatments are optional, and should be viewed as inspiration rather than obligations.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into our top recommendations for an 18-month pre-wedding beauty roadmap.
18 Months Before: Schedule Your Dental Treatments
Your wedding day is going to be chock-full of smiles and laughter. That makes teeth the first thing to consider for your wedding prep, and treatments can begin as soon as you’re engaged.
If you’re dreaming of a straighter smile for your wedding, look at clear aligners. Trusted solutions like Invisalign often take around 12-18 months, so start speaking with a dental clinic ASAP to begin treatment for a smile that lasts long after your big day.
For any little chips or unevenness, look at composite bonding. This is a low-fuss, non-invasive treatment that perfects your teeth for a picture-perfect smile.
12–18 Months Before: Start Laser Hair Removal
Your wedding is the perfect excuse to opt for laser hair removal. If you’ve been considering this treatment for a while now, go for it! Smooth, hair-free skin gives you one less concern on your wedding day for low-maintenance beauty prep.
The trick here is to book your first appointment a year before your wedding if possible. The more sessions you have, the more effective laser hair removal is
A single treatment, for example, reduces hair growth by around 10-40%, while repeated sessions see results around the 90% mark – a significant difference that makes getting started early a must.
12–18 Months Before: Strengthen Your Hair
Get clear on your wedding hair goals now. Do you want longer hair? Shinier hair? Fuller and healthier hair? Whatever you picture for your big day, you’ll need to begin the prep work as soon as possible.
Healthy hair takes time to achieve, especially if you’re working with damaged locks. This is where we recommend:
- Focusing on nutrition: Your hair relies on vitamins and minerals to stay healthy, including biotin, vitamin D, iron, and folate. Take supplements to support hair growth and include plenty of hair-healthy foods in your diet.
- Caring for your scalp: Use gentle exfoliating treatments, oils, and clarifying shampoos to look after your scalp and reduce product build-up.
- Using restorative treatments: Address damage with targeted hair products, including pre-treatments like Olaplex No.3 and Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, and deep conditioning masks.
- Scheduling trims: Start booking in for regular trims leading up to your wedding (every 8-12 weeks). Ask your stylist to cut off split ends and focus on boosting the health of your hair for thicker, healthier locks.
If you’re not entirely sure what condition your hair is currently in, now’s a brilliant time to book in for a consultation with a trusted stylist. Chat about your goals, analyse any damage, and create a roadmap that’s tailored to your dream hair wedding looks.
12–15 Months Before: Transition Your Hair Colour
Beyond hair health, there’s also hair styling. If you’re changing up your look, now could be the right time to start the transition.
Going from brown to blonde, for example, isn’t a change that happens overnight. By giving your stylist plenty of time before your wedding, you can move towards your dream colour in smaller steps that maintain the health of your hair. It’s the stress-free option for our bride-to-be’s.
It’s also a smart move to find a stylist you love and stick with them, especially if your new look is a work in progress. Bring them plenty of inspo pictures of hair lengths, styles, and colours to begin your hair prep.
12 Months Before: Build Your Skincare Routine
Around 12–18 months before your big day is the perfect time to create a consistent skincare routine and, if needed, begin professional treatments that deliver long-term results.
For specific skin concerns, book in with a dermatologist. They’ll help you create a personalised skincare routine to achieve significant improvements, and can advise you on everything from products to diet. If you want to achieve flawless skin in time for your wedding day, this is the way to go.
Following the advice of your dermatologist, build a routine and stay consistent. Your skincare essentials should include:
- Cleanser: Opt for a gentle cleanser that’s geared towards your skin type, but that’s generally fuss-free and minimal. You want your cleanser to clean your skin and create a base for your follow-up products to work. Simple.
- Exfoliants: Chemical exfoliants are less abrasive than physical alternatives. Target issues like acne with a BHA exfoliant and dull skin with an AHA exfoliant. Be sure to use sparingly and build up your skin’s tolerance to avoid irritation.
- Serums: Add a serum or two that target your skincare concerns. Niacinamide is excellent for excess oil and larger pores, for instance, while hyaluronic acid is a lifesaver for dull, dry skin. Speak to your dermatologist for recommendations.
- Retinol: If you’re worried about fine lines and wrinkles, add retinol to your routine. This is an anti-ageing hero that boosts collagen production for plumper, smoother skin. Again, build up tolerance and use sparingly.
- Sun protection: Protect your skin against sun damage and dark spots by finishing your skincare routine with an SPF.
4–6 Months Before: Start Booking Facials
Closer to your wedding day, start booking in for facials. Arrange your first appointment around the 4-6 month mark, giving you time to test out a few options and let the treatments start to work.
Once you’ve found a facial that works for you, ask the team how close to your wedding your last session should be. Anything that involves peels and extractions, for example, will need at least a week for recovery.
2-4 Weeks Before: Brighten Your Smile
Schedule your whitening treatments closer to your wedding day, though be sure to book them in advance so you don’t miss out on appointments. Between 2-4 weeks before your wedding is standard for whitening procedures.
Final Thoughts
Pre-wedding beauty prep isn’t about chasing perfection; it’s about building a glow-worthy foundation so that your hair, makeup, and overall style come together effortlessly on the big day. Think healthy skin, strong hair, and a plan that makes you feel like your best self.
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