Should I Hire Hair & Makeup for My Rehearsal Dinner?

‍From your East Coast Bridal Beauty Experts

When brides think about hair and makeup, the wedding day is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But another big question we often hear is:

Should I hire professional hair and makeup for my rehearsal dinner?

Our quick answer:

If it fits within your budget, then yes, absolutely.

Especially if you’re hiring a photographer to capture your rehearsal dinner, professional hair and makeup is one of the smartest investments you can make. Let’s break down why!

If You’re Hiring a Photographer, You Should Definitely Hire Hair & Makeup

Rehearsal dinner photography has become increasingly popular, and for good reason! It captures the warmth, energy, and excitement of your wedding weekend kick-off. And if you’re going to be in professional photos, you’ll want to look (and feel!) your best. Booking hair and makeup ensures you’re completely polished, confident, and camera-ready from the first toast to the last hug of the night! 

The Rehearsal Dinner: Where the Celebration Truly Begins

Think of your rehearsal dinner as Chapter One of your wedding weekend! It’s when loved ones reunite, speeches begin, and emotions start bubbling up. These moments deserve to be remembered, and if you’ve hired a photographer, you’ll be glad you look and feel just as radiant the night before as you do on your wedding day.

Hosting a Welcome Party? Book A Beauty Team 

If your rehearsal dinner doubles as a welcome party for out-of-town guests, it’s likely a larger and more celebratory event! This gathering often marks the true start of your wedding festivities, and it sets the tone for the rest of the weekend. Arriving with professional hair and makeup ensures you look and feel your best, confident, radiant, and ready to greet each guest with joy!

A Chance to Relax and Be Pampered

The night before your wedding can feel busy and is often filled with countless final details, schedules, and lots of emotions. Taking time for hair and makeup is more than just preparation, it’s a moment of calm. Sitting in the chair, letting your artist take care of you, is the perfect way to ground yourself before stepping into the festivities (and the camera lens!).

Try a Different Look From Your Wedding Day

Your rehearsal dinner is the perfect opportunity to experiment with a different vibe! If you’re going classic and timeless on the wedding day, maybe you want to go modern and chic the night before. Or, if you’re wearing your hair up for the ceremony, why not let it down in soft waves for the rehearsal? Professional styling ensures whichever look you choose feels intentional, polished, and perfectly photo-ready.

So, Should I Hire Hair & Makeup for My Rehearsal Dinner?

If you’re hiring a photographer for your rehearsal dinner, the answer is a resounding yes, book professional hair and makeup. Your photographer will capture all of the beautiful, candid moments, and with the right beauty team, you’ll feel just as stunning in those photos as you do in your wedding portraits!

At Updos For I Dos, we specialize in creating flawless, long-lasting hair and makeup looks for brides across the East Coast, from the DMV to Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, and beyond! 

We want to make everything easy for you, starting right now! Follow this link to book your rehearsal dinner and wedding day hair and makeup! 

Because your wedding memories start the night before, and we want to make sure you’re camera-ready for every single one.

Cover Photo Credit: Nikki Daskalakis Photography