When should you book your bridal hairstylist?

Nikki, Couture Bridal Hair · 14 January 2026

Bridal hair is one of the earliest bookings worth making and one of the most commonly left late. Here is how the timings actually work, and what happens between your first enquiry and your wedding morning.

Most brides ask us the same question first: how early is too early? The honest answer is that we take very few weddings each year, and Saturdays in the summer are usually spoken for twelve to eighteen months ahead. If you have your date and your venue, you have everything you need to enquire.

An enquiry is not a booking

It is worth understanding the difference early. Submitting an enquiry gives us your date, venue, ready time and bridal party so that we can review them properly. It does not reserve your date. Once we have reviewed everything we confirm whether we are available, and only then can the date be secured with the retainer and the Terms and Conditions.

A realistic planning timeline

• 12–18 months before: enquire, confirm availability and secure your date.
• 3–6 months before: your bridal trial, with your veil and accessories to hand.
• 3 months before: any colour or cutting plan agreed and diarised.
• 6 weeks before: final numbers, running order and final balance.
• 1 week before: preparation guidance and confirmed arrival times.

What to have ready before you enquire

• Your wedding date and ceremony time
• Your venue and getting-ready location
• The time you need to be ready
• Roughly how many people need styling
• Any hairstyle ideas you are drawn to

None of it needs to be final. If your bridal party is still forming or your ready time is an estimate, say so in your enquiry — we would far rather review an honest draft early than a perfect plan too late.