Hair and makeup are a big part of your wedding style preparations, aesthetically speaking, they're the icing on the cake for your overall look. Great hair doesn't just happen, it takes a little more than just booking a stylist and hoping for the best on your big day. In fact, there's actually important groundwork to be done well in advance if you want your hair to look its absolute best. Getting your hair looking as healthy as possible requires a few months of care - from treatments, and using the right haircare and styling tools, to your routine. Three months is the minimum hair timeline bride's need to work with to ensure your hair health, cut and colour come together perfectly, but the sooner you start the better, so let's get started...

Three Months

Three months might feel a long way away but it's the perfect time to schedule appointments to make sure you're on track with your bridal haircare timeline. These include - a wedding day hair trial, a cut, colour and in salon treatments, and maybe even a consult with a trichologist if you suffer from issues such as thinning hair, psoriasis or alopecia.

• Changing your hair colour for your wedding can mean multiple salon visits if it's a big departure from the colour you have now, so ideally that would begin at least six months out.
• Cutting your hair in a new style is also best done as early as possible in case you don't like it. Three months is enough time to grow it back (hopefully).
• But if you do love it (hurrah), prebook a trim just before the wedding day to make it look fresh and sharp.
• If your hair health needs a boost, now is the time to start taking a beauty supplement to let those specialised nutrients enough time to get to work to ensure stronger and fuller hair. You really need to be taken any supplement for at least three months continuously to see a difference.
• If you need professional help with your hair health, make an appointment with a certified trichologist.

Three hair supplements we love:

Two Months

Maybe you already have an idea of how you want your wedding day hair to look. Add a fun element to your hair timeline by creating a Pinterest or mood board to show your stylist, and save looks you like on Instagram. Wedding inspiration is everywhere, from social media to websites (like One Fab Day, of course) and it's never too early to start. So follow stylists and sites you like and hit save.

• Closer to the big day you will need to have a hair trial with your stylist to make sure your chosen hairstyle works well with your veil, dress and accessories, and having a photo reference makes things so much easier.
• Ask your regular hair stylist for advice specific haircare recommendations for your hair type that you can use in the run up to the big day.
• There are lots of products that work on volume, frizz, and give the hair a denser appearance too which they can recommend too to see what works for you.
• We have a post on taming frizz in time for your wedding here!

One Month

If you haven't intensified your weekly haircare regime now is the time to start to really see a difference. Make masking your new favourite thing to do and treat your hair to deep nourishment once a week. Your stylist is the best person to talk to for advice on the type of hair mask that will work for your hair. There is a big difference in the ingredients and formulas for fine, medium and thicker hair types. You might need something with protein like keratin to strengthen your hair or just hydrating ingredients like Pro-Vitamin B5.

• Scalp care should also be a consideration as naturally, healthy hair grows from a healthy scalp. Talk to your stylist about using a pre-wash oil or serum that boosts circulation and nourishes your hair from the root.
• If you're a dry shampoo fan, buy a clarifying shampoo to give the hair and scalp a thorough cleanse once a week, to allow those powerful ingredients to penetrate the hair.
• If your hair is coloured or damaged, row back on heat styling to preserve those precious lengths, or use low impact stylers like the Dyson Airwrap.
• For blow-drying, try adding a UV-protecting leave-in spray through the lengths. To seal any split ends, add a touch of hair oil to the tips of the hair before drying.
• Wrapping your hair in silk at night is a great way to keep hair healthy as it cuts down on the need for heat styling and we have a whole post on that here!

Three Scalp Essentials:

Three Weeks

Now is the time for your trial with your wedding hair stylist. Bring your veil and the moodboard of inspirational images. Hopefully, you will have your dress, but if not bring a picture of you in it. Be sure to tell the stylist the theme or style of the wedding is there is one. Maybe it's at a country castle, a city affair or a rustic gathering and the venue and dress together might suit a classic style or a look that's more boho. At your trial, ask your stylist to take pictures of every angle of the finished look. This ensures you are 100% happy with the look.

Top tip: Book your trial early in the day, so that you can see how long the style lasts in your hair.

Two Weeks

Next week will be busy with last-minute details, and you might not have time for beauty matters. Make an appointment for a trim and colour, so split ends are removed and your hair colour looks fresh. With two weeks to go, this gives your hair time to settle. Keep up your masking sessions and scalp care throughout this fortnight. And if you are heading off on your honeymoon or a mini moon soon after the wedding, see our haircare essentials below, which you can get packed. You don't want sun and sea of  undoing your good work.

Three Holiday Hair Essentials:

One Week

The one-week countdown is on to your big day. Follow your regular routine and try not to introduce anything that might damage or disrupt your hair- so no new haircare and no overstyling. Do one last mask this week but apply it at least two days before your wedding day. This is in case your hair is so soft your stylist finds it difficult to work with it. Double-check all your wedding day timings for the big day with your stylist and anyone else who is getting their hair done. Ask anyone else having their hair styled to be time and to arrive with clean hair. Remind everyone that once their hair is done they shouldn't pull on anything over their heads, they'll need a robe to wear while their hair is being done.

The Wedding Day

Your big day is finally here! Make sure your stylist has access to sockets and a mirror to keep to the schedule. Set up a table for brushes, tools, bobby pins and hairspray to avoid the stylist (or you) unnecessary stress. Make sure your veil and any accessories are steamed and hung or laid out. Put together a small bag of essentials in case your hairstyle comes loose or needs to be retouched, see below.

Three Wedding Day Essentials:

What To Pack On The Day

• A mini tin of hairspray, choose a light or strong formula depending on your chosen style and hair type
• Pack bobby pins for any hair that gets loose
• In case of sweating, pack blotting papers to absorb moisture and oil
• Fragranced hair mist is not a must, but it is a lovely treat to scent your bridal hair, especially if you're taking it down for dancing
• To refresh your hair for the afterparty or day two pack dry shampoo

More helpful posts to help you get ready for your big day:

How to Help Your Makeup Last All Day (and Night)
The One Thing Every Bride Needs For Immaculate Hair
90s-Inspired Hair & Makeup Looks For the Super Cool Bride
Wedding Hair Inspiration: Low-Key & Romantic Bridal Ponytails
The Best Wedding Hairstylists In Ireland