Planning your wedding in London is exciting, but when it comes to hair and makeup, there are so many questions! Should you book a trial? How do you make sure your look lasts all day? What if it rains?
As a London-based bridal hair and makeup team, we have worked with countless brides, and we know the questions that come up time and time again. So, let’s get into it—here’s everything you need to know for a flawless, stress-free beauty experience on your big day!
![Soft glam bridal hair and makeup that looks glowing and natural. Perfect inspiration for a bridal trial.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7bd99c_cddc72ea911b470ba05de2e935d4d771~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7bd99c_cddc72ea911b470ba05de2e935d4d771~mv2.jpg)
1. When Should I Book My Hair & Makeup Artist for My London Wedding?
London is packed with weddings year-round, meaning top artists get booked up fast—especially in peak seasons like spring and summer. Ideally, you should secure your hair and makeup artist 9-12 months in advance. Some of our brides book us with 18 months to go, so if you love someone and you have a date booked, then get booking!
💡 Last-minute wedding? Don’t panic! Some artists (including me & my team!) may have availability for weekday or off-peak weddings.
2. Do I Really Need a Bridal Hair & Makeup Trial?
Yes, yes, and yes! Your wedding day is NOT the time to experiment with your look. A trial lets you:
✔ See how the makeup wears throughout the day
✔ Test different hairstyles and make sure they suit your face shape, dress, and vibe
✔ Feel 100% confident before the big day
✨ London tip: If you’re able to co-ordinate it, its great to have your hair and makeup trial in the morning and then your dress fitting that afternoon, you can see the whole look together.
![London bride stepping out of her car looking stylish and beautiful. Showcasing that even in the rain your hair and makeup can withhold the weather.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7bd99c_9118c53cf8c243d692b31d4dd7a2f515~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7bd99c_9118c53cf8c243d692b31d4dd7a2f515~mv2.jpg)
3. What If It Rains? (Because... London)
Let’s be honest—rain is always a possibility in London, no matter the season. But don’t worry! A professional artist will:
✔ Use waterproof and humidity-resistant products
✔ Lock in your curls or waves so they stay in place
✔ Prep your skin properly to prevent makeup from slipping
🌧 Bonus tip: Have a chic bridal umbrella and ask your hairstylist for a weather-proofed up-do option just in case!
4. Should I Wear My Hair Up or Down?
This depends on:
✔ Your dress – Off-shoulder or high-neck gowns pair beautifully with up-dos, while strapless styles look stunning with soft waves.
✔ How much you feel comfortable – If you have never worn your hair up, it may feel too different and not like yourself. Your personal style plays a lot in how you wish to look -Love a romantic, effortless look? Soft waves with face-framing pieces are perfect.
💡 Struggling to choose? We can test both at your trial to see what works best for you!
![Modern, soft smoulder bridal makeup that is long-wearing and playful lightly waved face framing hair for a London bride, designed to last.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7bd99c_92d4af68957d4781a25ef78c13d5b903~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7bd99c_92d4af68957d4781a25ef78c13d5b903~mv2.jpg)
5. How Long Will Hair & Makeup Take on the Wedding Morning?
For a London wedding timeline, we recommend:
⏳ Bride’s hair & makeup – 2 to 2.5 hours
⏳ Bridal party (each) hair & makeup – 1.5 hours
⏳ Touch-ups – 15-20 minutes before you leave
✨ London logistics tip: If your venue has limited space or strict timings, plan ahead and let your hair and makeup artist know, sometimes we have to start in one location and move across to your venue for specific times.
6. Do I Need Touch-Ups During the Day?
Your makeup will be long-wearing and designed to last, but a few touch-ups never hurt! Keep these in your clutch:
✔ A pressed powder or blotting papers (for shine control)
✔ Your lip colour for top-ups
✔ A few hair grips for any flyaways
💡 For full-day touch-ups, some brides book an artist to stay for extra support! (we do!)
7. Can You Do Makeup for Different Skin Tones & Hair Textures?
Absolutely! A professional artist should be experienced in working with ALL skin tones and hair types. We use high-end, versatile products that work beautifully on every complexion and hair texture.
💡 Tip: If you're worried about anything specific (e.g., matching your foundation perfectly or working with curly/textured hair), chat with your artist in advance!
![Naturally enhancing makeup with peach lips and softly swept wedding up-do using extensions to add lift and volume for a bride getting married in London.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7bd99c_91063e3bb5104a0495b3e3e403254ca8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_900,al_c,q_85,enc_auto/7bd99c_91063e3bb5104a0495b3e3e403254ca8~mv2.jpg)
8. Should I Get Hair Extensions?
If you love fuller, more voluminous hair, extensions are a game-changer! They’re perfect for:
✔ Adding length & thickness to soft waves or Hollywood curls
✔ Creating fuller, long-lasting hairstyles
✔ Enhancing fine or thin hair for extra body
💡 Not sure? We can have a chat on the phone and we can advise on what extensions may work for your dream wedding hair style.
9. How Do I Make Sure My Makeup Looks Amazing in Photos?
✔ Avoid SPF-heavy foundations – They can cause flashback in photos.
✔ Opt for soft glam and glowing over ultra-matte or un-natural eyeshadow colours – This enhances your natural beauty without looking overdone.
✔ Blend, blend, blend! – Your artist will ensure seamless, photo-ready perfection.
💡 Bonus: Ask your photographer to capture some golden-hour shots—London’s soft evening light is magical! Trust us its super flattering!
![Soft wavy hairstyle with an adorned headband on a London bride looking stylish and modern.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7bd99c_bf3c7a9e3c7d40c8a10f434a44426676~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1470,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7bd99c_bf3c7a9e3c7d40c8a10f434a44426676~mv2.jpg)
10. What If I Don’t Normally Wear Makeup?
Our style of Soft glam is all about enhancing your features while keeping you feeling like YOU. If you’re not a big makeup wearer:
✔ Go for light, breathable skin coverage
✔ Opt for soft, natural tones that match your style
✔ Keep eyes subtle but defined with wispy lashes
💡 Your trial is the perfect time to ease into the look and find what makes you feel most beautiful!
Final Thoughts: Making Your London Bridal Beauty Experience Stress-Free
Your wedding day should feel effortless, fun, and uniquely YOU. Whether you're after soft glam makeup, modern waves, or an elegant up-do, having the right artist by your side makes all the difference.
✨ Let’s create your dream wedding look! Ready to book your London bridal hair & makeup trial? Get in touch with us today here.
With love,
![Amanda White is an award winning bridal hair and makeup artist, creating flawless, radiant and authentic styles for her London brides.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7bd99c_c1a1a09f6e8348429aa03008c3e14df4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_476,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/7bd99c_c1a1a09f6e8348429aa03008c3e14df4~mv2.jpg)
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