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On this week’s episode of 52 'Til I Do, we’re diving into the details that pull your wedding day style together: accessories, alterations, rings, and beauty prep. We’re joined by the experts at Hairs 2 the Bride, who share insider advice on how to make the most of your hair and makeup trials so you feel confident walking down the aisle!
The national average budget allotted for attire and apparel typically falls between 7-10%, but remember, this is just an average. Some couples spend more, some spend less. What matters most is sitting down with your partner to talk through your wants, needs, and priorities so you can decide together what you’re comfortable investing in.
Budgeting is a super important part of wedding planning, and we want to help make sure no detail gets overlooked. When you're thinking about accessories and all of those final touches, try doing a head-to-toe “full body scan” to create a complete checklist of everything you may want or need.
This can include things like:
Taking time to think through each little detail now helps you avoid last-minute stress and ensures you feel fully prepared (and fully yourself!) on your big day.
Before your wedding, take your rings and wedding bands to a jeweler to have them cleaned, shined, and steamed. Who doesn’t love a freshly polished ring? It’s a simple extra step that can help you feel even more put together and elevated on your big day. Plus, it looks amazing in photos!
At this point in the planning journey, we’re nearing the end of Stage 3 and starting to fine-tune all those important details leading up to the big day. One of the key tasks during this stage is alterations. If you haven’t had your dress fitted or altered yet, now is the perfect time to schedule that appointment.
One of our biggest tips for alteration day is to bring the exact shoes and accessories you’ll be wearing on your wedding day. This ensures everything fits exactly the way it will when you walk down the aisle. Bring your shoes, undergarments, and accessories so your tailor can perfect the length, shape, and overall fit, making sure every detail is right where it should be.
A hair and makeup trial is essentially a test run of the look you plan to wear on your wedding day. It gives you a preview of your final style and helps you feel confident and prepared. These trials are typically recommended 4-6 weeks before the wedding. During your appointment, your stylists and artists will help you experiment with different ideas, make adjustments, and refine your vision. It’s also a great opportunity to review contracts, ask questions, and go over any last-minute details.
We adore our makeup artists and stylists, but remember, your trial is a rough draft, not the final product. Many people treat it like a free makeover and schedule it on a day when they have an event or want to look extra nice, but that’s not ideal.
During your trial, you might test multiple techniques or styles, sometimes even wearing two different eye looks or trying various hair textures at once. It’s a creative, exploratory process, not a finished glam session! So go in with an open mind, stay flexible, and don’t expect perfection just yet.
We all love a good Pinterest board, but when it comes to hair and makeup inspiration, it’s important to set realistic expectations. A common misconception is that your final look will be an exact replica of a reference photo, especially if your features, hair type, or skin tone are completely different from the photo.
That’s why we highly recommend choosing inspiration photos that reflect you. If you have thin brown hair, look for styles on someone with a similar hair type! If you have freckles, find makeup inspiration that embraces and works with them instead of covering them up. The more closely your reference images match your natural features, the more accurately your stylist can bring your vision to life.
This helps your artist understand your goals more clearly and ensures your final look feels like the best version of you (not someone else).
Great hair and makeup starts long before your wedding day. In the weeks leading up to your celebration, focus on a simple, consistent skincare routine rather than trying anything new or drastic.
Avoid introducing new products too close to your wedding, since this can cause unexpected reactions or irritation. Instead, stick to what your skin already knows and loves!
If you’re planning facials, waxing, spray tans, or other beauty treatments, try to schedule them in advance so you can see how your skin responds and make any adjustments if needed.
At the end of the day, your wedding look isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling like yourself, just elevated. Every detail you plan, from your accessories to your alterations to your beauty trial, is there to support how confident and comfortable you feel walking into your day.
The more intentional you are in this final stage of planning, the more relaxed you’ll feel when the moment finally arrives. Trust your team, trust the process, and remember: everything you’re doing is leading you to a version of yourself that feels ready, radiant, and fully present.
For more tips and tricks, tune into the full episode of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Have more questions about wedding day beauty prep, alterations, or pulling together your final bridal look? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning! be sure to connect with Hairs 2 the Bride for expert guidance on wedding hair and makeup that helps you feel confident, comfortable, and completely yourself as you walk down the aisle.
Photo Credit to JNA Visuals
Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.
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