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Bridal Makeup Timeline - The Ultimate Wedding Hair & Makeup Schedule

  • Mar 25, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

The number secret to a stress free wedding!


Scheduling ample hair and makeup time for you and your bridesmaids.

By including enough prep time in your wedding day schedule, you’ll arrive at the ceremony venue relaxed and ready to go, with plenty of time to spare. 

Otherwise, if hair and make up run late, everything else will be behind schedule for the rest of the day.

So, to help you make it to the church on time, follow my getting-ready guide.



Bridal Makeup Lancashire

The first question I usually get asked by brides is how long will the bridal makeup take? Follow my Bridal Makeup Timeline to find out. How Long Does Bridal Makeup Take?

I allow 60 minutes per person for bridal makeup on the wedding day.

Although the application itself may sometimes be quicker, weddings naturally include interruptions , photographers arriving, florists delivering flowers, getting dressed, and family visiting. Allowing a full hour keeps everything calm and ensures your makeup artist isn’t rushed.

Your wedding morning should feel enjoyable, not pressured, so building a realistic bridal makeup timeline is essential.

Arrival & Setup

On your wedding day I travel to your home or wedding venue anywhere across Lancashire and the North West.

I allow around 15 minutes to unpack and set up my professional kit and lighting. Natural light is always best for makeup application, so a small table near a window works perfectly. I also bring professional lighting and a chair in case the room is darker.

Each 60-minute appointment includes:

  • consultation

  • full makeup application

  • hygiene and brush cleaning between clients

  • workstation tidy

When Should the Bride Have Her Makeup Done?

I usually recommend the bride goes second to last in the bridal makeup timeline.

This keeps the makeup looking fresh for the ceremony while still leaving time for photographs and dressing. It also provides a buffer in case the schedule shifts slightly, something that often happens on wedding mornings.

Working Alongside Your Hair Stylist

I regularly coordinate with bridal hair stylists across Lancashire.We alternate clients to keep the morning flowing smoothly and avoid long waiting times.

Having separate specialists for hair and makeup is far more efficient than one person doing both, and prevents extremely early start times.

Sample Bridal Makeup Timeline for Bride + 4 others (Ceremony 1:00 PM)

6:45 AM – Makeup artist arrival & setup 7:00 AM – Mother of the bride makeup / bridesmaid hair 8:00 AM – Bridesmaid makeup / hair swap 9:00 AM – Bridesmaid makeup / bride hair 10:00 AM – Bride makeup11:00 AM – Final bridesmaid makeup 12:00 PM – Everyone finished

Final Hour Before the Ceremony

After hair and makeup is complete, you’ll have around an hour to:

  • Get dressed

  • Have photographs

  • Have liptick and hair touch-ups

  • Meet the registrar

This extra time is one of the most important parts of a successful bridal makeup timeline — it prevents stress and keeps the morning enjoyable. Double the Efficiency:  Hiring separate hair and makeup artists can significantly cut down on getting-ready time compared to having one person handle both.

If you are having one person for hair and makeup then the time it takes to get ready will double and you will be starting very early so in my opinion you are always better having two people who specialise in either bridal hair or bridal makeup.

Planning Advice for Larger Bridal Parties

If you have a larger bridal party, avoid booking an early ceremony without calculating your hair and makeup timings.

I often start at 6am for Lancashire weddings, but that doesn’t mean the bride needs to wake at 6am, bridesmaids or family members can go first so you can rest before your big day.

Bridal Makeup Artist in Lancashire

If you’re planning your wedding and need help organising your bridal makeup timeline, I’m always happy to advise. I provide bridal makeup across Lancashire including Preston, Clitheroe, Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and surrounding areas.

Get in touch to check availability or discuss your wedding morning plans. Ready to plan your wedding morning? If you’d like help building your bridal makeup timeline and checking availability, you can:

 
 
 

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