A Complete Guide to Bridal Beauty

Skin

12 months out

According to Melanie Grant, one of the most trusted facialists in the world (whose clients include the likes of Victoria Beckham, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Cate Blanchett to name a few), a bride should consider their wedding skin prep at least one year before their big day. “I recommend beginning your skin journey at least six months out, and ideally 12 months if more corrective treatments are required,” she explains. “This gives us ample time to address any concerns such as pigmentation, coarse texture, or even acne scarring for the best possible results.”

Not only does this allow a comfortable lead time to begin an active treatment plan, it also provides a generous window for nailing your AM and PM at-home skincare regimen. “This means establishing a solid, consistent at-home routine,” explains Grant. “Focusing on the basics, a good double cleanse in the evening to properly remove makeup and SPF, a potent antioxidant serum in the morning – like a vitamin C – to protect against environmental damage, and of course, a broad-spectrum SPF every single day, without fail. Once the at-home routine is consistent, we can start to layer in professional treatments."

It is a sentiment echoed by the Co-Owner of Auckland's Clinic1, Olga King, whose practice has become the City's leading name in innovative, results-based skin treatments. "The right treatment plan will always depend on your unique skin concerns, desired results and budget," she explains. "At your first consultation, we design a personalised roadmap that evolves with your skin throughout the year. Chronic skin conditions like acne or rosacea require a long-term, consistent approach," she pauses, "that’s where early planning makes all the difference."

At this 12-month mark, Dr Adam Brown, cosmetic doctor and aesthetic physician, also recommends making any necessary appointments or decisions regarding non-surgical aesthetic treatments like botox, particularly if you haven’t had these procedures before. “This timeframe allows enough time for a thorough consultation to create a clear plan,” he says, “and to stage treatments like injectables or lasers safely.” He caveats this with the following: “For more significant surgical options (such as rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, or facelifts), brides should plan 12 – 18 months in advance, as swelling and healing can take many months.”

Six months out
“The six-month mark provides the ideal window to perform more corrective treatments that address long-standing concerns,” says Grant. This might be a series of treatments that work best cumulatively, or for treatments that require some downtime. “I often recommend a course of IPL or Pico Laser to improve overall tone, addressing sun damage and pigmentation. A course of microneedling combined with exosome infusion is another option for stimulating collagen and refining skin's texture. These treatments really yield true change within the skin quality.”

Mirroring this advice, King explains that now is the the ideal time to begin courses of BBL or Moxi laser to even the skin tone, fade pigmentation and stimulate collagen. "If there’s redness, visible vessels, or breakouts, we would address them in clinic with Clear V or Clear Silk laser," she tells me, "and refine at-home care with clinical-grade skincare like iS Clinical or Osmosis." She adds, "hydration, barrier repair, and SPF products must become non-negotiable daily habits."

According to Dr Brown, six months before the wedding is the ideal phase to begin more advanced cosmetic procedures too – like anti-wrinkle injections or fillers, including lip fillers – if you wish to have them. “These can be started now to allow time for fine-tuning, ensuring results look subtle and natural. If needed, fillers can gently restore volume or refine contours.”

Three months out
Three months out from the wedding, it’s time to shift the focus from correction to refinement. “At the three-month mark, the goal is to refine and perfect,” explains Grant, adding that it’s all about enhancing the work that has already been done. “This is the time for a series of gentle, results-driven treatments such as superficial chemical peels, LED light therapy, and regular customised facials. These treatments should be designed to brighten, smooth, and deeply hydrate the skin, ensuring it is in peak condition.”

"Refining," is the word King uses for this stage of prep. "By now, your skin is glowing from consistency," she says, "so this stage is all about keeping that radiance and luminosity." In order to achieve that she points to treatments like Clinic1's signature HydraSilk facial as the ideal maintenance tool, offering deep cleansing, exfoliation and intense hydration.

According to Dr Brown, this is the time to top up on botox or fillers if you are opting for them, so results settle naturally before the wedding. “Brides should avoid trying anything completely new at this stage, as there’s a higher risk of irritation or disappointment,” he adds.

Week of
“The golden rule for the week of the wedding is: absolutely nothing new or too active,” says Grant. “The goal is to simply enhance the work we've already done and provide a healthy glow without any risk of sensitivity or reaction.” As such, the best treatments at this point are those with no downtime, like oxygen facials, cryotherapy facials that plump and sculpt, or LED light therapy, particularly red light, which Grant says enhances circulation for a natural radiance. “A simple, hydrating facial with a focus on lymphatic drainage is also excellent for de-puffing and sculpting the face.” King's advice is similar. "Keep the skin calm and soothed," she says. "We recommend a HydraFacial or Osmosis facial infusion for hydration and glow, avoiding any strong peels or lasers." Dr Brown agrees that the week of the wedding is only ever about “safe, glow-boosting options”, and recommends avoiding “injectables, aggressive lasers, or anything that risks bruising, peeling, or swelling.”

Day of
On the big day, it’s essential to avoid any active products or unexplored steps in your regimen – instead, focus on nourishing the complexion. “The last thing you want is a surprise reaction,” warns Grant. Day-of skin prep can include “a gentle cleanse with a comforting, hydrating cleanser, followed by a hydrating serum and a great moisturiser that you know and trust.” Grant also advocates for a pre-makeup facial massage if time allows, even if it’s a self-massage. “You can do this with an oil or your moisturiser that you've used before. Work in upward and outward motions, following the contours of your face. This helps to flush out any stagnant fluid, boosting blood flow and oxygenating the tissues – giving a healthy glow.” Grant’s expert tip is to finish it off with a quick plunge in cold water, which works wonders for de-puffing and tightening the skin before your makeup artist gets to work. Anything medical or invasive should be avoided, adds Dr Brown, as “the risk of irritation or swelling outweighs any potential benefit.”

Nails

Six months out
The perfect manicure does wonders for a polished bridal look – but long before you sit down to decide between the OPI shades of Bubble Bath or Funny Bunny (TikTok suggests a coat of each, actually), you need to plan your nail care. According to Jocelyn Petroni, one of Sydney’s most sought-after beauty experts, the sweet spot is six months out from the big day. “It can take six months for that root of the nail to grow out to the tip,” she explains.


Three months out
According to Petroni, by the three-month mark you should be having regular manicures and pedicures to ensure optimal nail health.

Week of
Schedule your manicure a few days before the wedding – this allows enough time for polish to fully set so you can ensure you love the colour, but close enough that your nails will remain flawless for the big day. It’s best to avoid having your nails done on the morning itself – one less thing to stress over.

Hair

18 months out
Healthy, glossy hair doesn’t happen overnight – your wedding-day style begins with months of mindful care and preparation. According to John Pulitano, Creative Director at Headcase Hair in Sydney’s east, starting as far out as 18 months is ideal and will pay off in the long-term. “If we’re growing out significant length, making difficult colour transitions, or doing major transformations, we need that extra time to do it properly,” he says.

While a time-poor bride can certainly push the timeline forward, Pulitano’s suggestion allows a stylist to work gradually and naturally toward the desired result without any rushed decisions or dramatic changes close to the big day. “The key is establishing a clear vision early – whether that’s growing length, transitioning colour, or improving overall hair health,” he explains. For instance, Pulitano’s trademark style, known as The Texture Edit, requires careful planning of cuts that will grow out beautifully and support the final wedding style.

Six months out
This is when you should focus on regular colour treatments, highlights, glosses, deep conditioning treatments as well as consistent hair cuts – ideally every 8 – 10 weeks. “The biggest mistake brides make is thinking they want to grow their hair long and then skipping cuts entirely,” explains Pulitano. “This leaves them with thin, damaged ends that simply don’t support beautiful styling. Quality and thickness are just as important as length.”

Three months out
Pulitano describes this as “the sweet spot”, since it’s the perfect window to start trialling the actual wedding look. “Colour should be looking amazing, hair should have grown to the desired length and the overall quality and thickness should be at its peak,” he says. “I love doing trials at three months because it gives the bride time to sit with the style, maybe even try a few different variations. Sometimes we’ll do multiple trials to perfect the look and ensure she feels completely confident.”

Week of
When the countdown to the wedding is days away, it’s time to book a salon visit for a toning or glossing treatment. “This ensures the colour tone is absolutely fresh and clean and gives the hair optimum shine for the big day. It’s like a final polish that makes everything look perfect under photography lighting. This appointment also gives us a chance to do any last-minute touch-ups and ensure everything is exactly as planned.” The week-of is also time for a final consultation with your on-the-day hair stylist to discuss day-of logistics, timing, any last-minute questions and confirming all the details so there are zero surprises on your wedding morning.

Day of
Proceed with caution: Pulitano suggests chatting to your stylist about what’s required for your individual hair type based on your unique needs and the planned style. “I typically prefer brides to arrive with clean, completely dry hair. This gives me the perfect foundation to work with, and styling products are much more effective when applied to dry hair rather than being diluted in wet hair.” But he advocates for speaking to your own hair stylist, adding, “The key is clear communication beforehand so the bride knows exactly what to do and can relax knowing everything is perfectly planned. When the hair preparation is right, the entire styling process goes smoothly and the results are always stunning.”

Spray Tan

4 – 6 weeks out
If you’re considering a spray tan or at-home self-tan, it is vital to do a trial run approximately 4 – 6 weeks before the wedding, so you can perfect the shade. This gives you ample time to find alternative formulas that suit your skin tone best.

Week of
The perfect spray tan should be booked 2 days before the wedding, giving the colour a chance to settle into a seamless, natural-looking glow. Remember to hydrate the skin regularly in the days before you tie the knot.

Supplements

Six months out
Beauty starts from within – supplements are the new frontier in bridal beauty, working behind the scenes to enhance skin, hair and nails from the inside out. “When it comes to things like skin clarity, energy, mood, and even digestion on the day – the right supplements can really help support that glow,” says Pernille Jensen, a naturopath, clinical nutritionist and founder of supplement brand The Gut Cø. “Ideally, 3 – 6 months before the wedding is a good window. That gives your body time to actually respond and repair – whether it's calming inflammation in the gut, supporting hormone balance, or building up those key nutrients for skin, hair, nails and energy.”

Jensen recommends starting with a high-quality ingestible that manages gut health. “If your gut’s not in good shape, you won’t absorb nutrients properly, so even a healthy diet or fancy skincare won’t be doing as much as it could.” Try The Gut Cø’s FEED or REPAIR powders (or a relevant equivalent).

Three months out
Three months before you walk the aisle, it’s time to layer in additional supplements that manage stress and support sleep and mood. “I’d recommend our MULTI-TASKER for stress support and energy,” says Jensen. “It has adaptogens and activated B vitamins to keep you calm and focused. It also contains ingredients to support hair growth and nail strength.”

Jensen suggests adding a sleep supplement too: “No one glows on poor sleep and the stress leading up to the big day can really mess up your rest.”

Day of
On the big day, it’s too late to start a new supplement that will make any meaningful difference to your wedding glow but it’s a great opportunity to nourish your body. Jensen suggests starting your morning with a nourishing smoothie or protein shake – something gentle on the gut but stabilising for your blood sugar. “Definitely take your digestive enzymes if you’re prone to bloating. They support digestion of proteins, carbs, fats and even lactose, so you can enjoy your wedding food (and champagne) without feeling uncomfortable.”

Teeth

12 months out
For brides considering more transformative dental treatments, it’s necessary to plan at least a year in advance to ensure the work is completed in time for the big day. “Depending on what is needed depends on how far in advance you need to begin planning,” says dentist Dr Corbin Barry from Sage Space. “For treatments such as teeth alignment (ie. Invisalign) you may need to start 12 months in advance – so planning is essential.”

Two weeks out
“For dental cleaning and in-chair teeth whitening we generally recommend to plan these around two weeks before your big day,” says Dr Barry. “Saying this, your dental cleans should be 6-monthly regardless of your pre-wedding planning.”

Week of
If you have completed in-chair whitening a few weeks out, Dr Barry recommends using the at-home whitening gels for a final pass to ensure your teeth are fresh for your big day. The week of your wedding, you can also have a stain removal clean if needed.

Day of
“On the day, over-the-counter whitening strips would be beneficial for a final top-up before you walk down the aisle,” adds Dr Barry.

Brows & Lashes

8 months out
Microblading – or semi-permanent brow tattooing, including lip liner tattoos – are best managed 8 months out from saying ‘I do’, so you have time to perfect your look. Since these treatments vary, the 8-month mark is the perfect window for making an appointment with a trusted specialist to ensure you’re aware of all of the options and lead times (plus it also gives you a buffer for corrections).

Six months out
It’s time to book regular brow-shaping appointments to refine your natural shape. For lashes, this is the window for trialling extensions or a lash lift so you can see how they wear and ensure they complement your eye shape. It’s also a great time to test out any tinting or brow lamination options.

One month out
Keep up with maintenance. Brows should be shaped and tinted around 1 – 2 weeks before the big day – same timeline for brow lamination – to give everything time to soften into a natural finish. If you’re opting for lash extensions, schedule a full set now and a top-up just before the wedding.

Week of
Have your final brow shape and tint done 5 – 7 days before the wedding to avoid any redness or irritation. For lashes, a refill or fresh set should be done 2 – 3 days before, ensuring they look their best without the risk of sensitivity.

Fitness

Six months out
As for your physique – fitness in the lead up to a wedding is all about feeling strong, radiant and confident in your own skin, without burning out. According to Kirsten King, the founder of Fluidform Pilates – who has worked with celebrities and brides alike for decades – it’s less about the timeframe and more about consistency. While six months is ideal, no matter how much time you are giving yourself, it is more important that the frequency of movement remains consistent. “If you burn out too quickly, you won't maintain six months of hard work,” King explains. “However, the more time you allow, the less pressure you are putting on yourself, which allows for a more sustainable (and enjoyable) preparation period.” King suggests choosing a timeframe you can commit to and a wedding workout plan that is realistic while still ambitious.

Eight weeks out
In King’s view, the 8-week mark is the focal point for real change. “I generally recommend committing to a consistent and considered plan 8 weeks from the day, and allowing a minimum of 20 minutes everyday to move,” she says. While she warns that there is not one plan for every bride, the main factors of an effective pre-wedding workout routine are this: consistent, targeted (with specific goals), diverse (combining Pilates, strength and cardio) and mindful. “A combination of strength and cardio training will effectively condition and tone your body, while burning energy to achieve long, lean muscles. Your workout plan should incorporate core strength, postural realignment, balance and stability to improve your posture and body composition, to hold yourself with grace and elegance.” Lastly, consider the design of your dress – it may help to shift and tone specific areas of the body.

The 8-week mark is also an important juncture for considering nutrition, if you haven’t already. “We recommend supporting your movement routine with a balanced and nutritious meal plan for optimal results,” says King. “Movement and nutrition go hand-in-hand when it comes to your health, muscle development and definition.” Prioritise simple recipes and eliminate processed foods and other toxins – like alcohol – for a detoxifying effect on the body.

Week of
During your wedding week, King warns against overcomplicating it. Simply try to move for 20 minutes a day: “Daily, effective movement coupled with a balanced and clean diet, sleep and hydration can do more than you think.”

As the big day nears, focus on why you’re moving your body in the first place. “Pilates can be a moving meditation, supporting your emotional wellbeing and bringing a sense of self-care to your routine, during a highly stressful time. Focus on your mind-body connection, stretching and relaxation to reap the mental benefits of movement, as well as the physical.”