From when to get a haircut to when to schedule a makeup trial.

With all the work that goes into planning a wedding—choosing a venue, finding a florist, booking a DJ and more—when you’re a bride, it can be easy to lose sight of one of the most important items on your to-do list: taking care of yourself. So, while it might be tempting to focus on planning the event itself, don’t forget about beauty touches that will help you look and feel amazing on your wedding day.

We spoke to Brittany Gray, CEO, owner and lead makeup artist of Fancy Face Inc., for her take on planning the perfect wedding-day look. This handy timeline will tell you the dos and don’ts of bridal beauty in the months leading up to your big day.

One year before: Schedule a hair and makeup appointment for the day of your wedding.
Right after you get engaged, book an appointment with a hairstylist and a makeup artist, recommends Gray. Many salons book bridal appointments up to a year in advance, and you don’t want to be left scrambling as your wedding day approaches.

Six months before: Consult an esthetician and a hairstylist.
To get gorgeous skin, Gray suggests planning a skin-care regimen with the help of an experienced esthetician. The action plan should include a monthly facial, a weekly exfoliation and daily use of a cleanser, a toner, a serum and a moisturizer. Don’t add new products to your routine once you’ve chosen your product lineup, as this can result in a reaction or breakout.

For flawless wedding-day hair, consider your options well in advance of the big day. You’ll want to decide whether you want extensions, a haircut or a dye job, as well as whether you want to wear your hair up or down. “You’re going to want to test your hairstyle ahead of time,” says Gray, “because, if you don’t like it, you need time for it to grow out.”

Three months before: Visit a brow technician.
Find a brow specialist whom you can trust, suggests Gray, because “if he or she messes up, you have time to find someone new.” Gray also recommends threading and tweezing brows, as opposed to waxing, so choose a technician who specializes in that technique.

Two months before: Schedule a hair and makeup trial.
In the six months leading up to your wedding day, you will probably change your mind about how you want to look as you walk down the aisle. That’s why you should pick your hair and makeup looks no more than a couple of months before the big day.

One month before: Whiten your teeth.
If you want your wedding photos to pop, consider whitening your teeth. Gray recommends using an at-home kit, such as Crest Whitestrips, which is not only effective in achieving a dazzling smile but also more affordable than paying a professional. At this stage, you should also take steps to destress. Book a spa day and have Epsom salt baths with lavender oil and candles regularly.

One week before: Touch up your hair.
Make any final tweaks to your hair, including a root touch-up, trim or any other small adjustment. This isn’t the time to make drastic changes to your hair, or to undergo procedures such as Botox injections or other harsh treatments, which can result in bruising and other undesirable side-effects. Think of the photos!

Two days before: Visit a spa.
Invite your bridal party to a group manicure and pedicure session that’s both beautifying and relaxing (decide in advance whether you want Shellac or natural nails). Afterward, pamper yourself with a relaxing massage to help you unwind.

One day before: Enjoy the moment.
“The day before [your wedding] is all about resting, relaxing, drinking lots of water and getting your beauty sleep,” says Gray. With the big day just hours away, it’s important you avoid coffee and anything that contains caffeine; you want to look fresh, not tired, the day of your wedding.

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