Planning your wedding look is just as important as choosing the perfect dress. A bridal hair and makeup trial ensures that you feel confident and beautiful on your big day. But when should you schedule it, and what should you expect? This guide answers all your questions.
When to schedule hair and makeup trial for your wedding
Short answer – It’s entirely up to you! Once you’ve found the perfect hair and makeup artist, you can book your bridal trial whenever it feels right. Some brides prefer to have two trials—one early on to ensure the stylist they have chosen is the right fit and another closer to the wedding, especially if they want to refine or adjust their look.
At Izabella Bordignon London, we recommend scheduling your trial around 2-3 months before your wedding. By this time, you’ll have a clear vision of your bridal look, your dress will be finalised, and you’ll have a better idea for the style and theme of your wedding. This allows you to see how everything comes together and still gives us time to tweak and perfect your dream makeup if needed.
How do I prepare for my wedding makeup trial?
The best way to prepare for your trial is to make sure you are your artist are on the same page. Make sure you have sent them inspiration for your makeup, we recommend making a Pinterest board or saving some instagram posts. You should also make them aware your skin type, such as if you have dry skin or any acne scars you would like covered up. This ensures your makeup artist is prepared and you feel comfortable and confident in what you are looking for.
To ensure your makeup artist understands your preferences, send them a list of products you love and work well with your skin. If they don’t have your preferred products in their kit, bring them along so they can incorporate them into your bridal look.
It’s essential to have clean, makeup-free skin for your trial—no foundation, mascara, or any other products. Wearing makeup will take extra time to remove, especially stubborn products like mascara, which can affect the final look. This can also cause irritation when your makeup artist is removing your makeup then putting makeup back on your skin.
If you plan to have a spray tan for your wedding, get a tan before your trial. Your makeup artist will match your skin tone during the trial, so if you arrive with a different complexion on your wedding day, the makeup may look different or require last-minute adjustments. Even if your artist can accommodate the change, you might not be happy with how it looks compared to your trial. Also bear in mind if you are planning a holiday with hot weather before the wedding, it can effect your skin tone but your hair as well.
How do I prepare for my wedding hair trial?
Just like your makeup trial, send across any inspiration you have seen to your hair stylist. Make them aware of the things you like and don’t like, especially in the reference pictures.
I bet you have heard that dirty hair styles better, for some styles this might be true, but you don’t want to be walking down the aisle with greasy hair. It is very important to come to your trial with clean and dry hair, washing it either the night before or the morning of your trial – same goes for your wedding day. You should only use shampoo; using conditioner or any styling products can effect how the style holds – you want your hair to hold for the whole day! You should also avoid tying your hair up while sleeping as this can create any unwanted dents that may affect your style.
Using hair extensions? Plan ahead!
If you’re incorporating extensions into your bridal look, make sure you’ve ordered the right type, length, and shade as recommended by your stylist. The worst thing that can happen is at your trial with the wrong colour or style, which can throw off your entire look and leave you feeling unsure about your wedding day hair, especially if your bridal hair stylist doesn’t have any extensions at their studio.
DON’T make last-minute hair changes!
Thinking about changing your hair length or colour before the wedding? Unless you’ve already planned for a short haircut or a new colour, avoid making impulsive decisions. Your trial is meant to give you a clear preview of your final look, and a drastic hair change might make the chosen style feel completely different. This can lead to unnecessary anxiety about how you’ll look on your big day. Always consult with your hairstylist or colourist before making any major changes!
When to book your hair and makeup trial
Plan ahead for your bridal hair & makeup trial
When booking your hair trial and makeup trial, we highly recommend taking the day off work. The last thing you want is to be rushing from work or feeling stressed about making it to your appointment on time. A relaxed and stress-free trial allows your stylist to perfect your look, ensuring you achieve the bridal hair and makeup style you envision.
Bridal hair & makeup trials at Izabella Bordignon London
At Izabella Bordignon London, our trials are held on weekdays (Tuesday – Thursday) at our boutique salon in Angel, Islington. You can choose between an early morning or afternoon appointment, depending on what works best for you. Expect your hair and makeup trial to last around 2-3 hours, giving us plenty of time to create and refine your perfect bridal look.
Destination wedding? Plan your trial in advance!
If you’re having a destination wedding, always schedule a visit to your chosen stylist’s salon for a trial before the big day. Many top bridal hair and makeup artists require a trial before confirming a wedding booking, as it ensures they understand your vision and can tailor their work to suit your needs. Planning ahead is key to a stress-free wedding beauty experience!
What to wear for hair and makeup trial
What you wear on your trial can influence how you perceive your final look. If your wedding dress is white but you wear a dark top to your trial, the contrast can affect how your makeup appears—this is due to colour theory.
A white top reflects more light onto your face, creating a softer, more natural effect. This is why it’s essential to wear a colour similar to your wedding dress—ideally white, ivory, or a shade that complements your gown. This ensures you get the most accurate preview of your bridal look on your big day! Alternatively, we recommend wearing a top that matches the colour of your dress, along with a similar neckline to your dress.
At Izabella Bordignon, we have the space for you to bring your wedding dress and have the full look put together on the day of your trial.
If you have any hair accessories or jewellery you are planning to wear on the day of your wedding, bring them! This ties the whole look together!
How long does a hair and makeup trial take?
We aim to have our bridal hair and makeup trials to last up to 3 hours. This can vary depending on the style you are looking for.
Here’s what to expect:
- We tend to have a 20 minutes consultation just to discuss the inspiration you have in mind along with anything you do not like, ensuring you will receive the makeup look you love.
- Our makeup artists spend around 45-60 minutes on your makeup. However this can vary depending on what you would like to have done.
- Our hairstylists will spend around 45-60 minutes on your hairstyle as well. Styling with extensions will increase the time it will take to style.
- Once everything has been put all together, you have time to discuss any changes you would like done to the look. This gives everyone the chance to be on the same page and your thoughts and feelings about the hair and makeup won’t go unnoticed
If you plan on testing different styles, your trial may take longer. If you’re unsure about your look, consider booking a second trial to perfect the details.
Final tips for your bridal hair and makeup trial
- Bring inspiration photos – make sure you send any references to your hair and makeup stylist to help your stylist understand your vision. Let your makeup artist know your daily makeup routine, and what makeup you like such as eye makeup or lip colour.
- Be honest – feedback is very important. You need to let your stylists know what you like and what you dislike so they don’t make the same mistake on the day of your wedding!.
- Take photos in different lighting to ensure you love your look in all conditions.
- Schedule a second trial – if you’re undecided about your final look or unhappy with anything during your trial, be on the safe side and schedule a second trial. It’s your big day, better to be safe than sorry!
A bridal hair and makeup trial is a crucial part of your wedding planning process. By scheduling it at the right time and coming prepared, you’ll ensure that you feel stunning and confident on your big day.
A helpful guide for planning your hair and makeup:
Wedding venue:
Before even thinking about getting in touch with any hair and makeup suppliers, you need to secure your wedding date with your venue! Your venue plays a huge part in the theme. If you are planning for a city wedding, you might go for a more chic or elegant look.
Wedding season – Summer & Spring
Spring and summer are the most popular seasons for weddings, but warmer weather can impact your bridal hair and makeup choices. To ensure you stay comfortable and flawless all day, consider opting for an updo and a minimal makeup look—both are great for heat and humidity.
While Hollywood Waves and other down hairstyles are stunning, they may not hold as well in hot or humid conditions. If you choose to wear your hair down, be prepared for potential discomfort due to the heat, and you might find yourself wanting to tie it up later in the day.
Choosing a heat-resistant hairstyle and lightweight, long-lasting makeup will help you look and feel your best throughout your summer wedding!
Wedding season – Winter & Autumn
Colder seasons—especially for indoor weddings—are the perfect time to wear your hair down. Unlike in hotter months, your hairstyle is less likely to fall or lose its shape due to humidity or heat.
However, if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, an updo is highly recommended. British weather can be unpredictable, and strong winds or sudden showers could disrupt your style. Choosing an elegant updo ensures your hair stays secure and flawless throughout the day—so you won’t have to worry about the elements affecting your bridal look!
Find a hair and makeup artist that fits your vision perfectly!
6-12 months before the wedding: Finding the perfect hair and makeup artist who not only you get along with but understands what you are looking for is the best way to move forward. Get in touch with them as soon as possible to make sure they have your wedding date available. At Izabella Bordignon London, we recommend to all future brides to get in touch between 6-12 months before the wedding!
Especially for top experienced makeup artists and hair stylists, they get booked up very quickly, it’s much better to get in touch with them a little earlier than you think! Even if you think the date you chose for your wedding is not popular, I bet they have had at least 1 or 2 enquiries!
Hair and makeup inspo that fit the style of your wedding dress
7-10 months before the wedding: By now, I’m guessing you have bought your wedding dress, if not, move quickly! It’s time to start looking at hair and makeup inspiration that will look good on you and also compliment your dress! If you are stuck between a few hair or makeup options, don’t be afraid to ask your hair or makeup artist what they think would look better. They have dealt with thousands of brides with different styles meaning they know what would work best for you!
Final hair and makeup inspo
5-7 months before the wedding: By now, you’ve chosen your wedding dress, accessories, and most of your decorations, and you have a clear theme in mind. This is the perfect time to finalise your bridal hair and makeup ideas to ensure they align with your overall vision.
If you’re unsure about which makeup look to choose, don’t hesitate to consult your makeup artist. With experience in creating a variety of styles for different wedding themes, they are the best professionals to offer guidance. A skilled artist is trained to enhance your natural beauty by considering your face shape, skin type, personality, and personal preferences—helping you achieve a look that makes you feel confident and radiant on your big day.
Wedding makeup Trial
2-4 months before the wedding: It’s time for your trial! Relax, talk with your makeup artist, let them know all the details with things you like and dislike about your bridal makeup and trust them. Let them work their magic and at the end, you’ll love the look! At the end of your bridal trial, envision yourself in your dress, walking down the aisle into your future.
The final stretch!
Your wedding day is right around the corner! This is the time for you to take a deep breath, check in with your wedding suppliers (especially the ones who are going to be with you on the day of your wedding) and confirm everything, such as timings, location and final looks!
Worried or unsure how things will run the morning of your big day?
No need to, we at Izabella Bordignon London have you covered! We will send you a timetable a month before the wedding. This gives you an idea of timings, how long each service will take, and when you will be finished with your look!
There is no need to start stressing about anything! Just relax and spend some quality time with your future spouse and treat yourself to a pamper day!
