You got a ring on it — woop! Now, let the countdown to your dream wedding begin. But before you walk down that aisle, let’s talk bridal beauty. From glowing skin to flawless makeup and swoon-worthy hair, it’s all about mastering the ultimate beauty timeline that’ll have you looking and feeling your absolute best on your big day. 

We tapped leading experts from the worlds of hair, makeup, skin, and wellness to create the perfect prep plan. Celebrity makeup artist Olivia Newman-Young shares her top product picks and tricks to nailing the ultimate camera-ready look, Shenaz Sharif, advanced skincare practitioner and founder of The Face and Body Clinic, reveals just what it takes to get a gorgeous, glowing complexion on your big day, hair colourist at Hershesons, Hannah Gayle, offers her expert advice on nailing luscious wedding day locks, and Victoria Morgan – aka The Glow Coach – shares nutrition and lifestyle advice to ensure you don’t just look your best, but you feel your best too. 

Think of this as your year-long bridal beauty boot camp, minus the sweat.

SKIN: This is the ideal time to consult with a skincare specialist to create a personalised plan. If you have specific concerns like acne, pigmentation, or uneven texture, now is when to address them with treatments such as chemical peels or laser therapy. It’s important to avoid experimenting with new products or treatments on your own, as adverse reactions can take time to resolve. It’s also important to not undergo anything drastic such as facial cosmetic surgery.

HAIR: One year before your wedding is when you want to find one colourist or stylist that you want to work with up until your big day. Throughout the year before, you would – depending on your hair – only have three or four appointments, and you definitely don’t want to be chopping and changing stylists/colourists. Find “your person” and work towards your wedding hair goal together. Teamwork makes the dream work!

MAKEUP: If you want to book a makeup artist for your big day, now is the time to do so. Be sure to choose a makeup artist whose style aligns with yours. If you’re not booking a makeup artist for your wedding day, you can consider booking in with one for a lesson. That way you can get product recommendations and learn the tips and tricks you need to create the perfect look. This is also a great way to figure out what look and style you really want.

BODY: Heal your gut health. This is a key first step to feeling healthy and happy ready for your big day and is at the heart of skin health, weight management, mood, and so much more. Focus on what I like to call the ‘3 Ps’ of gut health: Probiotics, prebiotics and polyphenols (the colourful compounds in fruits and vegetables). Also, increase your fibre intake to get that glow from within.

MIND: Feeling good on the inside is as important as looking good on the outside, so start to experiment with different approaches that will bring a more grounded feeling and sense of inner calm to your life. Find tools that will help you navigate busier and more stressful stages of the wedding planning process, learn how to set boundaries and make time for you as a couple in the run-up to your wedding.

SKIN: At this stage, your skincare routine should be well-established and tailored to your specific needs. Consistency is key, as your skin needs time to fully benefit from the treatments and products you’ve been using. This is an ideal time to introduce active ingredients like retinoids or vitamin C. Retinoids are known for their ability to promote cell turnover, smooth fine lines, and improve skin texture, while vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that brightens skin and protects against environmental damage. They work gradually, so starting them six months before gives your skin ample time to adjust and show visible improvements.

Avoid trying out new or aggressive treatments that could disrupt your progress. Procedures like chemical peels or laser treatments can be beneficial but should be done under professional guidance and well in advance to allow your skin to recover fully. Stick to what’s been working and resist the urge to experiment with new things. This will help your skin maintain its balance and continue improving, setting you up for a glowing complexion on your big day.

HAIR: At this stage before your wedding, you should be doing monthly treatments at your hair salon. Not to mention upping your at-home hair care game with daily and weekly hair care treatments. Putting the time and effort in now will help make sure your hair is in its best condition on your big day.

MAKEUP: If you haven’t already booked your makeup artist, make sure you have by now. Most take bookings up to a year in advance, and we get booked up very quickly! Now is also the time to get your Pinterest and inspiration together. Stick to a style that you’re comfortable with. For example, if you’re someone who always wears a red lip or an exotic cat eye, you can still do that on your wedding, you can just make it part of a more flawless look. Do your research but stick to what’s true to you. You don’t have to go full-on “bridal” – you can make it a bridal look that fits your style.

BODY: Nourish your body inside and out, maintain a healthy gut, boost your daily nutrient intake with a good balance of macros and micros, and combine this with regular movement and self-care such as body massage and ‘beauty baths’.

MIND: Build up mental resilience in the lead-up to your wedding. Start to regularly use the tools and practices that help you feel more relaxed, finding simple ways to weave them into your lifestyle and turn them into enjoyable habits. Book them in your weekly calendar and try to make them a priority. Your future self will thank you, especially when your wedding is around the corner and your to-do list is longer than usual!

SKIN: This is a good time to start a series of facial tightening or contouring treatments such as EmFace if you’re looking to improve skin firmness and facial contours. EmFace uses electromagnetic stimulation and radiofrequency to enhance your skin’s overall appearance, and with a few months to go, you’ll have enough time to see the benefits. Continue hydrating facials and gentle exfoliation but avoid starting any invasive skin/facial procedures.

HAIR: Now is when you should limit the use of styling your hair and using heated tools. Less styling will really help to get your hair perfectly prepped for your wedding day. Three months before is a more realistic time to slow down on styling, especially as the goal is getting closer!

MAKEUP: Now is when you should book your makeup trial in. It’s close enough to your big day that you’ll know what your dress will look like. I don’t really like people coming to me much before this time frame, as your skin texture can change. This also gives you enough time to book another trial, just in case you’re not 100% happy or want to make some changes to your look. 

BODY: Nourish your body and skin with plenty of whole foods, fresh ingredients, and juices. Count the colours on your plate, not the calories. It’s easy to fall into the trap of pre-wedding fast weight loss diets and restrictive eating (I’ve experienced this myself and it’s not a healthy approach!).

MIND: Prioritise self-care and establish a morning wellness routine that might include some journaling, mindfulness, meditation, stretches, breathing exercises, or gratitude practices to help you keep balance and perspective for when wedding planning can become overwhelming.

SKIN: For those considering aesthetic treatments, this is the last call for non-invasive procedures such as Botox or fillers. These should be done at least three to four weeks before your wedding to allow any potential swelling or bruising to subside and for results to settle. Other treatments, like LED light therapy or radiofrequency skin tightening, can help enhance your skin’s firmness and texture with minimal downtime, making them a safe option to consider in the final month. Sun protection should be a top priority during this time. Make sure you’re applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even if you’re not spending much time outdoors. UV exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and damage that may take weeks to resolve. 

HAIR: In the month before your wedding, you should ideally see your stylist twice for a really strong in-salon treatments. If you can, wash your hair a minimum of once a week to prevent over-processing with shampoo, which can dry out your locks.

MAKEUP: If you’re doing your makeup yourself, now is when you should research which products you’ll use on your big day. Go try out some foundations and see how they last. I always advise coming to me in the morning (as you have natural daylight) so you can wear the makeup look throughout the day. That way they can see how it lasts, how it photographs, and what your friends think of it. 

BODY: Now is not the time to severely restrict calories and skip meals. Instead, focus on getting a good variety of nutrients and nourishment for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Healthy fats are a must (nuts, avocados, oily fish etc.). Consider liver-loving foods to naturally detoxify the skin and body and banish any dark circles from late-night wedding planning or hen dos! – e.g. green veg, garlic, onions, leek, citrus fruits, berries, beetroot, and artichokes.

MIND: Prioritise good sleep – it is the best emotional support. Support melatonin naturally by having an evening wind-down routine – keeping a cool bedroom, limiting blue light exposure, and trying a relaxing breathing exercise before lights out.

SKIN: In the final week, the emphasis should be on calming and soothing your skin. Keep your routine simple, focusing on hydration and avoiding any exfoliation or harsh treatments that could lead to irritation. Get plenty of rest, and if you’re doing any waxing or hair removal, do it early in the week to minimise any redness or irritation.

HAIR: If you haven’t done so already, book in for your final cut and colour. This will help your hair look fresh and vibrant on your big day, but still gives you some wiggle room in case you need to make any changes.

MAKEUP: Make sure you have all your essentials ready! I give a list to all my brides of what I’m going to use in case they want to buy anything. I also give them a list of things they should have in their bag for touch-ups. This always includes a concealer (I recommend the NARS Radiant Creamy one – it’s super easy to dab on) and a lip pencil – Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk is always a win as it suits most people. Also the Laura Mercier translucent pressed powder, a gloss, and a lip balm. So many brides get dry lips throughout the day as they’re drinking champagne from quite early on and there’s lots of small talk with guests. Some cotton buds are also great, just in case anything smudges. 

BODY: If you’ve been working out a lot, it’s time to slow down and focus on more calming activities such as yoga, Pilates, or just a daily walk or stretch, to reduce cortisol levels and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

MIND: Ensure that you carve out time every day just for you to switch off and tune out of wedding planning for a bit, even if it’s just to rest or read.

SKIN: The day before your wedding, prioritise hydration and relaxation. Use a gentle, hydrating mask for a final boost, and steer clear of any last-minute treatments. Ensure you get a good night’s sleep, drink plenty of water, and avoid salty foods that could cause puffiness. At this stage, your skin will benefit most from rest and gentle care, allowing it to look its best on the big day.

HAIR: Do a leave-in treatment to prepare your hair for your big day. With the right products, and leaving by leaving locks to air dry, it will be much easier for your hairstylist to perfect your dream wedding hair.

MAKEUP: Make sure you’ve got all your essentials packed in your bag and focus on skin prep. Also, have your timings right for the day so you’re not rushing. If you’re having a makeup artist, they should have planned this for you. 

BODY: Eat light meals. Don’t skip them! Prep a light breakfast ready for the big day. Keep always hydrated and carry a water bottle with you to remind you to drink it more often.

MIND: Take a calming, mindful walk or bath and light a soothing scented candle. If nerves are getting the better of you, use a simple breathing exercise or power pose to instantly and naturally calm your nervous system and help you get a good night’s sleep.

words by Frankie Rozwadowska