How Early should you book your bridal hair and makeup team?

Here’s the Truth

—your hair and makeup artist is one of the first vendors you should secure

A Note From Seattle Bridal Makeup Artist, Michelle Wight

If you’re a 2026 bride wondering when to book your beauty team—this is your sign to start now.After over 20 years in the bridal industry, I’ve seen it all: from brides who lock in their dream team a year in advance to those who inquire just a few months out only to find everyone they love is fully booked. Here’s the truth—your hair and makeup artist is one of the first vendors you should secure (right after your venue and planner/photographer), and here’s why.

Booking 6–12 months in advance isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Here are 10 reasons why:

1. You Get First Choice of Your Dream Artist

The best hair and makeup teams book quickly—especially during peak wedding season (summer). Booking early means you won’t have to settle.

2. It Aligns Your Beauty Vision With the Right Artist

When you book early, you have time to truly collaborate with your artist, curate your inspiration, and tailor your look to match your dress, venue, and season.

3. You Can Truly Customize your Experience

Want to book hair and makeup for engagement shoot or bridal shower? Secure your team for your rehersal dinner? The longer you wait the less availability there will be for all those special moments. Early booking gives you total flexibility.

4. Seamless from Inquiry to Wedding Day Bridal beauty experiences require intention, not rush. Early clients get the benefit of a seamless, well-paced journey—not a frantic or last-minute approach.

5. Beauty Prep Starts Well Before Your Wedding Day

From skincare regimens and brow shaping to hair trims and color maintenance, your artist will guide you through everything—but only if there’s time.

6. You’ll Get Access to Top-Tier Vendor Referrals

At Michelle Wight Makeup Artistry, our brides get exclusive access to our preferred list—Seattle’s best spray tan pros, med spas, facialists, and injectors—timed perfectly into your wedding glow-up plan.

7. You Lock in Current Rates Before Any Increases

Booking early often means you get ahead of annual pricing adjustments (especially important if you’re booking across years!).

8. You’re Less Likely to Feel Pressured or Rushed

The closer your wedding gets, the faster decisions must be made. Early booking gives you room to breathe—and enjoy the process.

9. Your Beauty Timeline Will Be Prioritized

Artists begin mapping out wedding-day logistics months in advance. Booking early means your schedule is thoughtfully planned—not squeezed in.

10. Peace of Mind Is the Ultimate Luxury

There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve checked a major item off your to-do list—and that you’ve secured a beauty team you trust to show up, deliver tailored experience with intention, and celebrate you.

At Michelle Wight Makeup Artistry, we’re already booking into 2026—and we love helping brides feel prepared, radiant, and relaxed as they walk into this beautiful season of life .If you’re a Seattle or destination bride ready to start curating your wedding-day look, inquire early, dream big, and let’s create your dream bridal hair and makeup.

Want to learn more about what’s included in our bridal experience?

Let’s chat—we’d love to hear your vision.