All You Need To Know About Your Wedding Day Prep

You did your trial, you booked your artist, you have a timeline, and now the wedding is almost here. So what do you actually need to do to get ready? The truth is your hair and makeup team handles most of it. But there are a few small things you can do ahead of time that make your wedding hair and makeup go smoother on the morning of.

Photography: Gaby J Photography // Beauty Concierge: Elwynn + Cass

How to Prep for Your Wedding Day Hair and Makeup

First, make sure everything is actually booked. I know that sounds obvious, but if you don’t have a deposit down to hold your artist, do that today. Next, get a timeline in place. Your artist should draft one, and your planner or beauty concierge can too. A timeline keeps the morning calm and means no surprises.

In the weeks before the wedding, take care of your skin. Facials help, and so does a steady skincare routine. Plan around your spray tan if you’re getting one, and time your haircut and color so they’re fresh but not brand new. I send every client a prep checklist so their makeup goes on clean and their hair holds all day.

Here’s what that looks like:

Prep details

• Come with 100% dry hair. Washed and blown out without product the day before is best.
• Clean skin. Moisturizer without SPF or oils is fine.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time so services can start on schedule.
• Have inspiration photos saved to your phone if you have a specific look in mind.

Why Dry Hair and Clean Skin?

Dry, day-old hair styles better. The natural oils give the hair some grip and texture, which sounds a little gross but it’s true. Freshly washed hair is too slippery to hold a curl or an updo. Your stylist adds product from there to lock everything in.

Clean skin is simpler, but skip the SPF and oil-based products that morning. They interfere with what your makeup artist uses to prep your skin, and you want a smooth, long-lasting finish. Come with a clear face and let your artist take it from there.

Photography: Gaby J Photography // Beauty Concierge: Elwynn + Cass

What You Don’t Need to Bring on the Wedding Day

Your hairstylist and makeup artist bring almost everything, so here’s what you can cross off your list:

• Makeup chairs. The artist brings them.
• Makeup product. Unless you want them to use something of yours, they supply it all.
• Hairstyling tools
• Hairspray
• Bobby pins, hair ties, and the rest

Anything to do with the styling itself, your team provides. Depending on the space, you may need to make sure there’s enough room and a couple of dining-height chairs. Taller chairs are best for hair so the stylist can work above you.

Pretty much everything you need that morning, your artists bring. So once you’re in the chair, you can relax, enjoy it, and remember: you’re getting married. Soak up every second.

xoxo,

Katelyn

Beauty Concierge / Founder

Elwynn + Cass