Somewhere between choosing the venue and realising you have opinions about napkins, a question surfaces: when do I actually book my hair? The answer matters more than most planning checklists admit, because good mobile stylists take one wedding per day — and Saturdays in wedding season are a finite resource.
The short answer: 6–12 months before
For a peak-season wedding — May to September, or any Saturday — aim to secure your stylist six to twelve months ahead. That is not sales pressure; it is arithmetic. A stylist who dedicates the whole morning to one bridal party can only say yes to around fifty-two Saturdays a year, and the sought-after dates disappear first.
Booking early does not mean deciding your style early. You are reserving the date, not the chignon. The creative decisions happen later, at the trial.
The ideal timeline
- 9–12 months out: enquire, check availability, pay the booking fee. Done.
- 6–10 weeks out: the trial. Close enough to the day that your hair length and colour are what they will be at the wedding; far enough out to adjust anything.
- 2 weeks out: confirm the running order for the morning — who is styled when, and where.
- The day: nothing left to decide. That is the point.
Booking off-season or midweek?
You have more room. Autumn and winter weddings, and any midweek date, can often be secured three to six months out. The trial timeline stays the same — six to ten weeks before the day is the sweet spot regardless of season.
What if my wedding is sooner than that?
Ask anyway. Cancellations happen, midweek dates stay open, and a professional will tell you honestly whether the timeline works. A wedding eight weeks away can absolutely include a proper trial; even four weeks can work if the date is free. The only mistake is assuming it is too late and settling for a salon appointment on the morning of your wedding, with travel and parking between you and the aisle.
One more reason not to wait
Your hair stylist and make-up artist need to share a timeline on the morning. The earlier both are booked, the easier that choreography becomes — and the calmer your getting-ready photos look. Champagne in hand, curlers in, nowhere to be: that is the morning you are actually buying.
Reserve the date first. Perfect the style later. That order never fails.
Planning a wedding in London, Maidstone or anywhere across Kent? See how MARSELINE handles bridal mornings, or book a free call to check your date.