Planning Your Hair for a Wedding or Big Event
The best hair for someone going to a wedding, or anyone with a big event, is planned backward from the date: color two to three weeks ahead, a cut about one to two weeks ahead, and a blowout on the day. That timing lets color settle and a fresh cut relax into shape. It also leaves room to adjust anything, so you walk in looking polished and like yourself.
Key takeaways
- Start planning three to four months out if you want a big color change.
- Book color two to three weeks before, so there's time to adjust it.
- Get a trim one to two weeks before, not the day of.
- Finish with a blowout on the day, timed as close to the event as you can.
How far ahead should I start planning my event hair?
Start three to four months ahead if you want a big color change, and a few weeks ahead if you're keeping your usual look. Bigger changes, like going much lighter, can take more than one visit to reach safely.
A consultation is the easiest first step. Ours are complimentary, in person or by video call, so you can plan the whole timeline with a stylist before booking anything. Our guide on preparing for a color consultation covers what to bring.
Book early, too. Booking early gives you the most choice of dates, and a credit card holds each appointment.
Your event hair timeline
- Three to four months out. What to book: A complimentary consultation. Why: Plan the look and the number of visits.
- Two to three weeks out. What to book: Your color. Why: Tone settles and there's time to adjust.
- One to two weeks out. What to book: Your haircut. Why: Ends settle and move naturally.
- About one week out. What to book: A gloss, only if you skipped the color visit. Why: Refreshes tone and shine without a big change.
- The day of. What to book: Your blowout. Why: Fresh, polished hair for the event.
When should I color my hair before a wedding?
Color your hair two to three weeks before the wedding. Fresh color can look a touch bright or strong for the first few washes, and a couple of weeks lets it soften into its best tone.
That window also gives you breathing room. If something isn't right, you have time to tell us. Our policy is simple: let us know within one week and we'll book a complimentary correction.
If you're planning a big change or taking a grown out balayage blonde, start it three to four months out with Big Change Lightening, so this visit only has to fine tune it. If your color is already where you like it, a gloss about a week before refreshes tone and shine.
Plan the color early, keep the cut simple, and let the blowout be the last thing you do before you walk out the door.
Dubé New York
When should I get a haircut before a big event?
Get your haircut one to two weeks before the event. A fresh cut can look a little sharp for the first few days, and a short wait lets the ends settle and move naturally.
Keep it close to what you already love. The weeks before a wedding aren't the time to try a dramatic new shape. A clean trim and refined layers from our haircut service keep your hair healthy and give your blowout a good shape to work with.
What should I book for the day of the event?
Book a blowout for the day of your event. For a wedding, a gala or a big night out, a blowout is the simplest polished finish. If it's your own wedding, look for bridal styling on our team page.
A blowout gives you smooth, shiny hair with lift at the root and a finish that suits your outfit. Choose sleek and straight, soft bends, or full movement through the ends.
Your blowout day plan
- Wear the right top. Choose a shirt that buttons or zips so nothing goes over your head after.
- Bring a photo. Show your stylist your outfit or neckline so the finish suits it.
- Keep it dry. Pack an umbrella and skip steamy rooms between the salon and the event.
- Hands off. Let the style settle, and save a small brush or clip for touch ups.
How do I keep event hair looking good all night?
Time the blowout close to the event and protect it until you arrive. A morning blowout for an evening wedding works well if you keep it dry and avoid tying it back.
For a summer wedding, our guide to humidity and frizz helps you pick a style that holds. If your hair is long or dense, read our guide to blowouts for long or thick hair and book the right option.
Related guide: How to Make a Salon Blowout Last Longer.
What should I avoid in the weeks before a big event?
Avoid anything brand new. A first time color change the week before, a product you've never tried, or a dramatic cut all add risk you don't need.
If you're thinking about a PuraLuxe smoothing treatment, plan it early. The treatment goes on first, and you can color any time after, so it fits at the start of your timeline. Our Service Menu lists current pricing for every service, and you can book online. We ask for 48 hours notice to change or cancel, so lock in dates you're sure of.
Your event hair questions, answered
Should I try a new hair color right before a wedding?
It's safer to try a new color well before the date, ideally with time for a second visit. If you want a change, start three to four months out so your stylist can build it over more than one visit. In the final weeks, stick to refreshing the color you already love, with a gloss or a maintenance appointment.
Can I book my blowout for a morning ceremony?
Yes. Book online and pick a time that finishes with enough room to get to the ceremony on schedule. If the ceremony starts before the salon opens, a blowout the afternoon before can work too. Sleep with your hair piled loosely on top on silk, and refresh the roots with dry shampoo in the morning.
What should I wear to my event blowout appointment?
Wear a shirt that buttons or zips down the front, so you won't pull anything over your finished hair. Skip turtlenecks and tight collars. If you're doing makeup before the appointment, a light scarf over your top helps protect it. Bring a photo of your outfit so your stylist can plan around it.
How do I pick a stylist for event hair?
Tell us about the event when you book or at a complimentary consultation, in person or by video call. Our Meet the Team page lists what each artist specializes in, including bridal styling, so you can choose someone whose work matches the look you want.
What if my color isn't right before the event?
Tell us within one week of your appointment and we'll book a complimentary correction. This is why we suggest coloring two to three weeks before the event. It gives you time to see the color in daylight, live with it for a few washes, and adjust it well before the day.
Start planning your event hair
Book a complimentary consultation or your first appointment online. Check the Service Menu for current pricing.