Your beauty prep timeline…
Planning your wedding isn’t just about the venue, dress, or guest list, it’s about feeling like your most confident, radiant self when you walk down that aisle. But real bridal beauty isn’t built overnight. It’s the result of thoughtful, well-timed prep.
From skincare actives to injectables (yes, we’re going there), this is your 12-month bridal beauty timeline, designed to help you glow from the inside out, without the last-minute panic.
12 Months Before: Build the Foundation
This is the time to start strong but slow, especially when it comes to skincare.
✅ Start:
The strong stuff. Now is the time to start a retinol or prescription-strength tretinoin routine. This powerhouse ingredient helps boost collagen, fade acne scars, and improve texture but can take time to see results & can contribute to dry skin therefore using this early on is essential.
💡 Start with a low percentage and ease in to avoid irritation & moisturise moisturise moisturise.Monthly facials or light peels. Look for hydrafacials, enzyme peels, or LED therapy to start improving your skin gently & compliment the prescription grade treatments.
Haircare rituals. Begin consistent use of nourishing products like hair oils, supplements & scalp treatments 2-3 times a week for shine and scalp health.
Nutrition Support. Our diet has a huge effect on our skin & hair so focussing on nourishing, vitamin rich meals will supplement the external treatments.
6–9 Months Before: Lock in Key Professionals
✅ Book:
Hair and makeup trials, it’s time to build your beauty team and nobody gets quite booked up like a bridal MUA, reach out early & have a clear idea of what you want before your trials (Pinterest boards are key)
✅ Start:
Consistent skincare is key at this point, cleansing, toning, moisurising & daily SPF use to reduce dark spots & pigmentation.
Moving, if it’s part of the plan now is the time to start consistent movement & diet changes to reach your goals in a sustainable way with lasting results.
Regular red light mask use to improve tone & texture of the skin, boosting collagen in the process.
2–3 Months Before: Injectables & Aesthetic Enhancements
If you’re considering filler or Botox, this is your sweet spot, early enough for swelling to subside & filler to settle to look more natural, giving plenty of time for touch-ups if needed.
✅ Book:
Dermal fillers (lips, chin, cheeks for if you want subtle enhancement)
Botox (forehead, frown lines, jaw for clenching or contouring)
💡 Pro tip: Less is sometimes more, go slow and top up if needed to avoid results that don’t look natural on the day.
✅ Start:
Focussing on the body. Start regularly exfoliating & moisturising paying close attention on the parts of the body that will be seen on your wedding day such as the décolletage, elbows & back.
Tan testing, if you’re planning on wearing tan on your wedding day now is the time to start testing the tans whether it’s at home or spray tan formulas.
1 Month Before: Refine + Relax
You’re glowing by now. This is about polishing, not panicking.
✅ Book:
Teeth whitening
Lash lift & tint
Final hair appointment
Gentle facial (no peels or extractions)
✅ Confirm:
Emergency kit items
Makeup artist products (check for any skin irritants)
Sleep, hydration, gut health
1 Week Before: You, But Softer
No last-minute experiments. Keep things gentle and intentional.
✅ Prep:
Hydrate. Seriously.
Light exfoliation (enzyme masks are great)
Deep condition your hair
Wax/tan/thread if applicable (3–5 days before)
Wedding Morning: The Glow is Yours
✅ Prep:
Sheet masks
Jade roller in the fridge for under eyes
A calm, quiet start — your favourite playlist, your favourite champagne & your circle of besties
💌 Final Thought
Bridal beauty isn’t about transforming into someone else — it’s about enhancing what already makes you stunning. This timeline is here to support your glow, not stress you out.
Whether you go full aesthetic or natural goddess, you deserve to feel powerful, polished, and entirely yourself when you walk down the aisle.
💆♀️ Follow us @thevowedit for weekly skincare tips, product recs, and luxe beauty inspo