My Wedding Prep Timeline: Skincare & Aesthetic Treatments Every Bride Should Know
- Nurse Lauren
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Planning a wedding or eloping is exciting—but also full of decisions. As a nurse injector and skincare lover, I knew I wanted to feel confident, radiant, and myself on my wedding day.
Not overdone, just refreshed. Glowing from the inside out.
If you're a bride-to-be, here’s a timeline that blends real aesthetic treatments, skincare routines, and behind-the-scenes tips based on how I prepped for my own wedding.
Consider this your aesthetic roadmap—whether you’re getting married in 12 months or 3. Click on links to be directed to before and after results, recommendations, and purchasing site.
12 Months Out: The Foundation
This is your ideal start point. Skincare is a long game, and so is skin health.
Schedule a skin consult to create a personalized plan. Our Visia Scanner at Modern Med will give you exact percentages of your skin health and is a great starting tool when prioritzing you treatment plan.
Start medical-grade skincare with active ingredients: think retinol, vitamin C, HA serum, and a solid SPF. (My go-to? Plated Serum in the morning and Skinbetter's Alpharet Serum at night.)
Here is my exact routine: (yours might be different because everyones skin and tolerance is different)
AM ROUTINE: Obagi Gentle Cleanser, Plated Serum, Skinbetter Trio Moisturizer, Elta MD tinted SPF, Jane Iredale pure pressed base - My Favorite, clean, acne safe, skincare makeup!
PM ROUTINE: Gentle Cleanser, Luminous Pads, Skinbetter Alpharet Serum, Skinbetter Trio Moisturizer
ONCE A WEEK: Skinmedica AHA/BHA cleanser, Skinbetter Peel pads (exfoliating)
Pimple relief: Face Reality 11% Mandelic acide, Sulfur spot treatment
Skincare ingriedent cheat sheet and Aestehtic treatment cheat sheet.
Begin Botox/Dysport if it’s your first time—start slow, natural, and build a relationship with your injector.
Start facials - Modern Med Facial or DiamondGlow treatments to exfoliate, infuse, and maintain glow. By booking one or the other you can establish a realationship with your esthetician and develop a facial plan leading up to your big day.
If needed, consult about laser resurfacing or chemical peels for long-standing skin concerns.
Laser Hair Removal is another treatment patients love for thier wedding day
6-8 treatments recommended
Consider addressing pigmentation, acne, hollowing or dullness now—it takes time to regulate. THIS IS HUGE! It takes times and not something we can do in 3 months.
9–6 Months Out: Contour, Collagen & Consistency
This is when we start layering treatments with more intention.
This is the time for filler, especially if you’re thinking about subtle contouring to cheeks, chin, lips, or under-eyes.
Filler lasts 9–12 months, and this timing allows for tweaks and settling.
Sculptra Injectable to boost collagen and give your skin a beautiful glow! (6 months out)
PRF EZ GEL: you will need another treatment in 4-6 months
⚡️ Energy Devices:
Start microneedling with PRF or RF microneedling to boost collagen and skin texture.
RF Microneedling should be done BEFORE filler!
Continue Botox every 3-4 months to maintain a soft, lifted look.
Other:
Consider trying a brow lamination and or lash lift to see if you like it for all your wedding festivites.
Don't forget- men get tox, filler, and facials too! Bring them in!
4 Months Out: Fine Tuning
This is where everything starts to come together.
💉 Skin Refinement:
Finalize any filler touch-ups.
PRF EZ GEL session
Finalize Laser Plans
🧴 Skincare:
Evaluate skin goals. Adjust actives based on weather, dryness, or sensitivity.
Stay consistent! Don’t try anything new here without guidance.
2-3 Months Out: Peak Glow Mode
🧖♀️ Skin Prep:
Book your final Bride Facial 1–2 weeks before the wedding.
You can also try a light Peel if your skin tolerates it well.
Try a Glow IV for internal hydration
💉 Last call for any first time treatments or treatments with down time:
A subtle lip flip with Botox can soften a gummy smile or enhance shape naturally—plan 4-6 weeks in advance to see if it’s right for you.
If you are going to try tox for the first time - this is the alst call
Also last call for laser, Sculptra, filler, microneedling
1 Month Out: Last Call for Tox
Avoid anything that could cause swelling or bruising. Now’s the time for maintenance only.
No new filler this late.
Wrinkle relaxers (Botox/Dysport) can be done 3-4 weeks out to be in full effect on wedding day.
Continue all skincare and hydration religiously.
If you love brow laminations and Lash lifts like I do, schedule your final one before this big day!
2 Weeks Out: Final Facial
No picking, or trying anything new. Skip anything invasive this week.
Bride Facial is a MUST! Includes:
Double Cleanse
Dermaplane
Extractions
Brow wax
Diamond Glow
Jelly Mask
Wedding Week: Let Your Skin Breathe
Stay hydrated, eat clean, and get good sleep.
Consider IV hydration if you are feeling run down!
Use a hydrating sheet mask and light exfoliation 3–5 days before.
Use a cooling jade roller or under-eye patches the morning of.
Don't pick your face! Ice if needed
Final Tips:
Schedule a trial run of your makeup with your improved skin to see how everything looks under camera lights.
Don’t overdo it. Aim to look like the best version of you, not a filtered version of someone else.
Communicate your aesthetic goals clearly with your injector and esthetician—bride prep is collaborative.
Whether you're a skincare minimalist or med spa regular, planning your aesthetic treatments early gives you control, flexibility, and the confidence to enjoy every photo, every hug, and every moment.
Want help building your bridal skin + beauty timeline? Book a consult with me or one of the amazing providers at Modern Med—wedding prep is one of our favorite things to guide.
Follow me on social for more! @nurselaurenstl @modernmedstl
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