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Tips for brides getting ready

How long before the ceremony should the bride be ready? 

The wedding day is one of the most important days of a person’s life, especially for the bride.

Planning and ensuring that everything runs smoothly, including the bride’s preparation time, is essential.

Every bride desires a smooth and relaxed getting-ready experience.

Rushing into the wedding dress or leaving the house or hotel too early is not an option.

To ensure a stress-free preparation, create a realistic wedding-day timeline that allows sufficient time for each step.

And it’s imperative to stick to that wedding day timeline

Sticking to a wedding day timeline is crucial to ensure your special day goes as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Allowing sufficient preparation time before the wedding ceremony is crucial to alleviate stress.

Ideally, the bride should be ready at least two hours before the ceremony.

This will give the bride enough time to take pictures, put on her dress, have her hair and makeup done, and address any last-minute issues that may arise.

Giving the bride ample time to prepare allows her to relax and enjoy her special day without worrying about being late or feeling rushed.

We will review a few details to help you determine what to remember when it comes to getting ready the morning of your big day. 

We also wanted to answer a few of these popular questions:

  • Where to get ready for a wedding

  • When to start getting ready for a wedding

  • Tips for getting ready for the wedding

To avoid any unnecessary stress on your big day, it’s crucial to have a realistic timeline that provides ample time.

This will guarantee that everything runs seamlessly and that you have plenty of time to relish the moment!

So how early should you start getting ready for your wedding? 

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How early should the bride be ready

I get asked this question all the time. 

“How early should you start getting ready for your wedding?”

On the wedding day, the bride’s preparation time is crucial, and there are a few additional things to keep in mind to ensure her comfort and ease.

I also recommend that someone is assigned to oversee the bride’s preparation schedule to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that she has enough time to get ready without feeling rushed or stressed.

Here are some tips to help the bride feel her best as she prepares for her special day:

  • Ensure the room where the bride gets ready is well-lit and spacious enough to accommodate her and her bridal party.
  • Have some light snacks and drinks available for the bride and her party to keep their energy levels up throughout the day – I suggest a charcuterie board.
  • Assign someone trustworthy to handle the bride’s belongings, such as her phone, purse, and jewelry. This way, she can focus on getting ready without worrying about misplacing anything.
  • Play some calming music in the background to help set a relaxed and enjoyable mood.
  • Keep your supplies organized and easily accessible so that you don’t waste time hunting for things.
  • Have a backup plan in case of any unexpected beauty emergencies, such as a smudge on the bride’s dress or a makeup mishap.
  • If you are getting ready with others, ensure there is enough space for everyone to move around and get ready comfortably.

By following these tips, the bride can have a stress-free and enjoyable preparation time, which will help set the tone for the rest of her wedding day.

"Prepare to say 'I do' with ease by planning ahead! As a bride, allowing ample time for hair, makeup, and getting dressed before the ceremony is important. We recommend starting the getting ready process at least 3-4 hours before the ceremony starts to ensure a stress-free morning and plenty of time for pre-ceremony photos. Trust us, a little extra preparation time goes a long way in making your special day unforgettable!"

Here is how to determine when to be ready for the ceremony

First, you need to decide where you are getting ready. 

Is it at the exact location of your wedding ceremony? 

Or do you need to travel to your location? 

There are several places where brides usually get ready for their wedding day.

Some brides prefer to get ready at home, surrounded by familiar surroundings and comfort.

Others choose to get ready at a hotel or resort, where they can relax and be pampered by professional stylists and makeup artists.

Many brides opt for getting ready at the wedding venue itself, which can be convenient for those who have an early morning ceremony or who want to make sure they are close to all the action.

If you are getting ready where your wedding ceremony is being held, you need to be on location as early as possible to ensure you have the space and everything you need. 

Some hotels require check-in at 3 PM or even 4 PM. 

In this case, I would book the room for an extra night just to ensure you are on time. 

If you are getting ready at home, you need to factor in travel time, traffic, or events happening around the time of your big day. 

You also need to look at everything that should be happening before the ceremony and work backwards to determine the timing. 

For example:

  • Travel time
  • Hair and make up
  • Wearing your dress
  • Get ready photos  {Check out this epic list of get-ready outfits}
  • First look
  • Bridal photos

Once you have all of the critical factors, work backwards to create a morning itinerary that could work for you. 

What’s the secret to a perfect wedding day?

Ensuring you and your wedding party have enough time to prepare.

No matter where a bride gets ready, the most important thing is to have time and that they are feeling comfortable, relaxed, and ready to walk down the aisle.

By ensuring ample prep time in your wedding day schedule, you will arrive at the ceremony feeling at ease and with plenty of time to spare.

How long before the ceremony should the bride be ready? Are you looking for the perfect getting ready timeline wedding day? Then click here. Here is everything you need to know about what you should do the morning of your wedding day!

How long does it take to get ready for a wedding

The first step is to work with your makeup artist and hair stylist to determine how long it will take to get your makeup and hair done. 

Book a trial to get an idea. 

Do you have other people also getting hair and makeup done, like your bridal party and parents?

They, too, need to be included in that timeline. 

Your hair and makeup stylist can assist you with creating a reverse timeline depending on your need to be ready for the ceremony start time.

Planning for a larger bridal party may be more complex, but a seasoned stylist will advise you when additional assistance is necessary to ensure everyone is ready on time.

Next, you want to contact your wedding photographer to determine how much time they need to allocate to take get-ready photos, detail shots and any other vital photos you require before the ceremony. 

Will you have two professional wedding photographers? 

Maybe one capturing the groom’s side? 

You absolutely want to capture the wedding party photos, so work closely with your photographers to create a realistic get-ready timeline. 

All of this information will determine how long it will take to get ready for your wedding. 

By having a fantastic wedding timeline, you will have enough time to get gorgeous wedding photos of your bridal party before the ceremony. 

When preparing for a wedding, planning the outfits for the bride and bridal party in advance is essential. This ensures that everyone looks cohesive and put together on the big day. Begin by selecting a colour scheme or theme for the wedding, and then choose dresses, suits, or other attire that fit within that style. Consider factors such as the event's season, venue, and formality when making selections. It's also helpful to schedule dress fittings well in advance to allow time for alterations and ensure everyone has their outfits ready to go in plenty of time before the wedding.

Grab these get-ready pj sets here!

When preparing for a wedding, planning the outfits for the bride and bridal party in advance is essential. This ensures that everyone looks cohesive and put together on the big day. Begin by selecting a colour scheme or theme for the wedding, and then choose dresses, suits, or other attire that fit within that style. Consider factors such as the event's season, venue, and formality when making selections. It's also helpful to schedule dress fittings well in advance to allow time for alterations and ensure everyone has their outfits ready to go in plenty of time before the wedding.

Grab these cute robes here!

When preparing for a wedding, planning the outfits for the bride and bridal party in advance is essential. This ensures that everyone looks cohesive and put together on the big day. Begin by selecting a colour scheme or theme for the wedding, and then choose dresses, suits, or other attire that fit within that style. Consider factors such as the event's season, venue, and formality when making selections. It's also helpful to schedule dress fittings well in advance to allow time for alterations and ensure everyone has their outfits ready to go in plenty of time before the wedding.

Grab this robe!

When preparing for a wedding, planning the outfits for the bride and bridal party in advance is essential. This ensures that everyone looks cohesive and put together on the big day. Begin by selecting a colour scheme or theme for the wedding, and then choose dresses, suits, or other attire that fit within that style. Consider factors such as the event's season, venue, and formality when making selections. It's also helpful to schedule dress fittings well in advance to allow time for alterations and ensure everyone has their outfits ready to go in plenty of time before the wedding.

Get this ready robe for the bride-to-be!

Wedding photography is essential for capturing your get-ready moments with your crew. 

Make sure you set enough time to make it happen. 

Bridal party and brides getting ready

Now let’s look at how long the bride should be ready before the ceremony. 

If you have this question in mind – “When should I start getting ready for my wedding?”

We have a few variable answers for you. 

Knowing how many people in your bridal party will need their hair and makeup done is critical for you to know to plan ahead of time.

For a wedding party group of 5 people, we recommend starting hair and makeup preparations a minimum of four to five hours before the wedding ceremony.

If you have more people, just ensure you have more help regarding hair and makeup. 

Ask your wedding vendors if they come with an assistant or a team. 

With a four and five-hour preparation time, you will have ample photography, hair styling, and makeup application time.

 If you and your wedding party plan to travel to a salon or a get-ready location, double the travel time to get an accurate timeline.

Add buffer time for a champagne toast, lunch, and bathroom breaks before getting your dress on.

Lastly, give yourself plenty of time in your wedding day timeline – it’s easy to underestimate how much time is needed for all the preparations.

Read this to find a sample wedding day getting-ready timeline you can follow. 

It’s packed with fantastic timeline tips. 

Here are some key factors to consider when planning the schedule for your event day:

Makeup

30–45 minutes per bridesmaid and the Bride’s Mother

60–90 minutes for the bride

Hair

30–45 minutes per bridesmaid and the Bride’s Mother

60–90 minutes for the bride

This is just a guide. 

What is your ceremony start time? 

Work backwards from there. 

Your hair and makeup timeline wedding day will depend on your vendors. 

Ensure all hair and makeup are complete and wedding party photos are taken at least 30 to 45 minutes before the ceremony starts.

 We suggest the bride should be ready at least two hours before the ceremony.

A little bit more if you must travel to the ceremony’s wedding reception venue. 

Taking photos and bridal portraits during this time is excellent for passing the time. 

How long before the ceremony should the bride be ready "Prepare to say 'I do' with ease by planning ahead! As a bride, allowing ample time for hair, makeup, and getting dressed before the ceremony is important. We recommend starting the getting ready process at least 3-4 hours before the ceremony starts time to ensure a stress-free morning and plenty of time for pre-ceremony photos. Trust us, a little extra preparation time goes a long way in making your special day unforgettable!"

And there you have it; everything you need to know about getting ready for a wedding!

Giving yourself enough time to get ready and stay calm and relaxed is essential on the wedding day.

As we mentioned, have a schedule allowing plenty of time to get ready without feeling rushed or stressed.

To summarize, here are some tips to help you prepare for your big day:

  • Begin by creating a detailed timeline outlining when and where you must be at different times throughout the day. This can include everything from hair and makeup appointments to transportation arrangements and pre-ceremony photos.
  • Consider enlisting the help of a trusted bridal party or family member to assist with any last-minute tasks or to keep you on schedule throughout the day.
  • Make sure to take breaks and hydrate throughout the day, especially if you’re feeling anxious or nervous. This can help you stay calm and focused and ensure that you feel your best throughout the celebration.
  • Finally, remember that your wedding day is about celebrating your love and commitment to each other. Stay in the moment and enjoy each special moment with your partner and loved ones.

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How Long Before The Ceremony Should The Bride Be Ready