Pre-wedding beauty prep used to mean factoring in a manicure, a hair colour appointment and a facial or two before the big day. Now? All bets are off. Brides are signing up for weekly lymphatic drainage treatments, cryotherapy, dental work–you name it, they’re doing it. Developments in tweakment tech have also paved the way for a spike in bridal botox bookings.

“I look after many brides-to-be ahead of their big day,” says Dr Anita Sturnham, CEO and medical director of renowned London aesthetics practice Nuriss and founder of premium skincare brand Decree. “Most are interested in having injectable treatments such as botox and I’ve seen botox boost a client’s confidence, particularly in anticipation of the wedding photographs.” 

She also notes that the treatment does offer a fairly quick fix–taking just seven to 14 days to work and reducing the appearance of frown lines and crow’s feet significantly. 

So, if bridal botox is riding high on your wedding to-do list, take note. This is our ultimate guide to getting it right ahead of your big day.

“It’s important to do a lot of research before booking in for your first botox appointment,” says Dr Sturnham. “Speak to friends and family who have already had the treatment and whose results you want to emulate yourself.” Got a good lead? Check them out on Instagram. “They might have before and after photographs on there, which can often be a helpful indicator of the quality of their work.”

Next, do your due diligence. Botox can be administered by qualified medical practitioners in Australia, including registered doctors and nurses. You should always check that the practitioner you’re considering is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

“The earlier you start your botox appointments the better,” says Dr Sturnham. “The idea is to do the first pre-wedding botox treatment many months before the big day, to ensure the bride likes the results. I always recommend ‘baby botox’ as the first treatment, which involves using a small dose strategically to produce soft, natural-looking results.”

“Botox also tends to last around three months,” notes Dr Sturnham. “So, I usually advise brides to book their last treatment in six to eight weeks before the big day. This allows enough time for any adjustments to be made, and to fit in some pre-wedding facials if they’re on the agenda too.”

Your practitioner will advise you of all the dos and don’ts to abide by in the hours immediately after your botox appointment. These will likely include avoiding strenuous exercise, sunbathing and saunas for 48 hours, massaging or rubbing your face for 72 hours, and some may advise sleeping on your back the first night after your treatment.

“I recommend keeping things simple in the weeks leading up to your wedding and after your pre-wedding botox treatment,” says Dr Sturnham. “It’s important to note that you have to wait two weeks after your botox appointment before having any facials–this could impact your wider bridal beauty schedule.” To avoid any clashes or confusion, find a clinic that offers both botox and facials. This puts your skin treatment schedule in the hands of a professional, and alleviates some of the beauty prep responsibility, which is never a bad thing when you’re in the midst of wedding mania.

“Find a skincare routine that you enjoy, that works for your skin and stick with it,” advises Dr Sturnham. “Consistency is key to locking down healthy skin and getting the best from your botox. Making any major changes to the products you use in the weeks leading up to your wedding can create mayhem when it comes to your skin, so be cautious.”

As for specifics? “I recommend that my clients use an antioxidant-rich day serum,” says Dr Sturnham, who advises looking out for vitamin C, niacinamide, and ferulic acid on the label. “At nighttime, I recommend a different serum made with multi-tasking ingredients such as retinoid stem cells, hyaluronic acid and barrier supportive squalene.”

And you’re not limited to topical ingredients. “Remember to support your skin from the inside out too,” says Dr Sturnham. “I often place my clients on a Type One marine collagen supplement to support their hair, skin and nails.”

Get a strong skincare and supplements routine in place many months before your wedding and, if it agrees with your skin, keep it ticking over all the way up to the big day itself. Consider a steady, effective skincare routine and a precision-planned bridal botox schedule the perfect pairing.