Wānaka wedding hair when you live in Auckland, Christchurch or overseas

Updated November 2026. Service prices are from our live price list and are confirmed at your consultation.

A lot of Wānaka wedding planning happens from somewhere else. You've booked the venue on a video call, the guests are flying into Queenstown airport, and you'll arrive a few days before with a list. Hair is one of the things you can sort properly from home, as long as the timing is worked out early.

This is how we plan it at UKIYO when the bride doesn't live here.

How far ahead should you book wedding hair for a Wānaka wedding?

For peak summer, November to February, we usually book 8 to 12 months ahead. Off-peak weddings, May to September, often have availability 3 to 6 months out.

If you have a date, get in touch now, even if you haven't settled on a package. We'll hold the date and sort the details closer to the time. Wedding-day appointments are available early in the morning.

When do you do the hair trial if you live away?

Our usual timing is 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. That's easy if you live in Wānaka and awkward if you're in Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney or London. There are two ways round it.

Do the trial on a planning trip. If you're coming down before the day for the venue, the caterer or a tasting, book your trial for that trip. It may be earlier than 6 to 8 weeks, which is fine as long as your colour and length won't change much before the day. We photograph the look from every angle and keep the notes.

Book The Trial & Touch-Up. From $295, it's a complimentary 15-minute consultation, a 90-minute trial in the salon, styling notes and a product list to take home, and photo references for whoever does your hair on the day. It suits micro-weddings, eloping in Wānaka, and brides whose bridesmaids are doing the day-of styling.

Sending photos and having the first conversation from away

Every bridal booking starts with a free 15-minute consultation. If you can't come in, start by phone on 03 443 1040 or email accounts@ukiyo.co.nz. Send 3 to 5 inspiration images and a couple of current photos of your hair in daylight, front, back and side. Tell us what's been done to it in the last year. It saves a lot of guessing at the trial.

Colour, cut and extensions: when to do them

If your hair needs work first, whether that's correction, growing out or condition repair, we like to start about six months out. Your final cut and colour sits 1 to 2 weeks before the wedding, so it's fresh and glossy for photos.

If you're flying in, tell us your arrival date at the consultation and we'll plan the colour around it. Colour done the day before a wedding leaves no room to adjust anything.

Extensions are common for bridal hair, for length, fullness or both. We'll talk at consultation about whether you need them and which method suits, keratin bonds or tape-ins, and time the application around your trip. Our guide to wedding hair extensions in Wānaka and Central Otago goes through it in detail.

Getting to the venue on the morning

Two options. You and your bridal party come to us at 28 Helwick Street, or we come to your venue. If we travel, the fee depends on the venue and is confirmed at your consultation. We arrive early and bring what we need.

Weather changes, ceremony delays and timeline shifts happen, especially in Central Otago. Keep us in the loop and we'll adapt.

The deposit and terms

A 25% non-refundable deposit secures your wedding date. The final balance is due 7 days before the wedding. Cancellations within 30 days forfeit the deposit; within 14 days forfeit 100%. Full details are on our bridal packages page.

Bridal and bridal party prices

These are "from" prices. Your final quote is confirmed at consultation, based on length, density, the number of people and the location.

The full menu is on our price list and the wedding and occasions page.

Which option suits your wedding?

• You want us on the day and can get to Wānaka once beforehand: bride with trial, from $265, with the trial on your planning trip.
• You can't get here before the wedding week: talk to us early. Send photos, have the consultation by phone, and book your trial for the first day you arrive.
• Your bridesmaids are styling you, or you're eloping: The Trial & Touch-Up, from $295, so the look is set and written down.
• Bridesmaids, mums and guests: book them with the bride, so we can plan the morning around photos.

For the months before, there are two ways to get your hair in condition. Kérastase Première Masque Filler Réparateur ($91.56) once a week is our pick for coloured or heat-styled hair. If you'd rather spend less, Sebastian Penetraitt Rescue Repair Mask ($51.88) does a similar job. Pack Kérastase Fresh Affair dry shampoo ($58.80) for the day after.

What it costs, how long it takes and how to book

Each bridal service is booked at about an hour per person. Tell us your photo time and how many people need hair, and we'll plan the morning back from it.

Book the free bridal consultation online at apps.kitomba.com/bookings/ukiyosalon, call 03 443 1040, or email accounts@ukiyo.co.nz. For the full planning timeline, read our bridal hair timeline, and for venues and styles, the wedding hair in Wānaka and Central Otago guide. There's also our wedding hair in Wānaka page.

Aftercare: what we'd send you home with

What we'd have you using in the months before, and in your bag on the day.

• Kérastase Premiere Masque Filler Reparateur 200ml, $91.56
• Kérastase Gloss Absolu Bain 250ml, $57.12
• Kérastase Fresh Affair Dry Shampoo 150g, $58.80
• Sebastian Professional Penetraitt Rescue Repair Mask, $51.88
• Sebastian Professional Trilliant Shine & Heat Protection Spray, $49.24
• Sebastian Professional Shaper Fierce Max Hold & Mold Styling Spray, $36.92

Why book and buy with UKIYO

We're working stylists at 28 Helwick Street, Wānaka, and the haircare we sell is genuine salon stock bought direct from the brands' New Zealand distributors. UKIYO is Wella New Zealand's No.1 Sebastian Professional retailer. Free NZ shipping on orders over $75, or pick up in salon. Book online any time, or call 03 443 1040.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a hair trial if I'm flying in for my wedding?

We strongly recommend one. It takes the uncertainty out of the morning. If you can't be here 6 to 8 weeks before, do it on an earlier planning trip, or book it for the first day you arrive. The Trial & Touch-Up, from $295, includes photo references and styling notes.

How much is bridal hair in Wānaka?

At UKIYO, bridal hair on the wedding day is from $185, bride with trial from $265, and The Trial & Touch-Up from $295. Bridesmaids are from $155 and mother of the bride or groom from $145. Your final quote is confirmed at consultation.

Can you come to our wedding venue?

Yes. We can come to you, or your bridal party can come to the salon at 28 Helwick Street. Any travel fee depends on the venue and is confirmed at your consultation, so you'll know it before you pay the deposit.

How do I book wedding hair from overseas?

Call 03 443 1040 or email accounts@ukiyo.co.nz with your date, venue and how many people need hair. We'll arrange the free consultation by phone and hold the date. A 25% non-refundable deposit secures it, and the balance is due 7 days before the wedding.

When should I colour my hair before the wedding?

Your final cut and colour should be 1 to 2 weeks before the day. If your hair needs bigger work, like correction or repair, start about six months out. If you live away, plan that last colour around your arrival date.

Can I have hair extensions for my wedding?

Yes, they're common for bridal hair. We'll talk about whether you need them, and which method suits, at the consultation. Tape-in application is from $150 and keratin bonds from $180, and the extensions consultation is free and takes 15 minutes.

We're getting married in winter. How far ahead do we need to book?

Off-peak weddings, May to September, often have availability 3 to 6 months out. Summer is the tight one: November to February usually books 8 to 12 months ahead. Either way, get in touch as soon as you have a date.

Keep reading

• Bridal Hair Timeline: Planning Your Wedding Day Look in Wanaka
• Wedding Hair in Wanaka & Central Otago: Your Complete Guide
• Wedding Hair Extensions: A Bridal Guide for Wānaka and Central Otago
• Best balayage in Wānaka: how to choose your colourist (and what it costs)
• Bridal Packages