Wedding Day Timing Tips: Getting Ready
When I plan your wedding day timeline, the biggest thing I do is to give CUSHION TIME! Sometimes the most simple things can take an extra 20 minutes and then all of a sudden, the whole morning is thrown off. I have seen “getting the bride in her dress” take almost 40 minutes because of a button malfunction. It’s a smart idea to add in an extra ten minutes here and there so that we have some wiggle room to work with! This way, if one part of the day gets thrown off by 20 minutes, I can help you compensate that time in other areas. There are so many different things to think about when you’re planning a wedding day, and so here are some tips for the pre-ceremony timeline! I realize that every single wedding day is different and so not all of these tips will apply to every wedding day schedule. Something else to consider is that not EVERYTHING will go as planned, and I promise you, that is completely normal! YOUR DAY WILL STILL BE AMAZING!
Getting Ready is where I see most extra time get unaccounted for in my years as a wedding photographer - don't worry I've got you covered!
Hair & Make-up: Your photographer doesn't need to be present at the start time of hair & make-up! Chat with your hair & makeup team to see how long will be needed for everyone and relay that to your photographer. Anticipate the start time of your photographer near the end time of your make-up.
Bouquets & Boutonnieres: If you are doing a first look, you will need your bouquets and boutonnieres. Have them delivered to where you are getting ready!
Travel Time: Be sure to think about the travel time and TRAFFIC to and from your getting ready location, ceremony and your venue if they are all in different locations! Make sure you have all carpool & transportation solidified prior.
Transporting items to church/venue: If there are things that need to be brought to a spot DELEGATE (if you don't have a wedding planner) make sure you have someone you can trust to get your things where they need to be.
Getting into the dress & jewelry: Your bridesmaids & mother should all be dressed and ready for the moment you need to get into your dress! You should be the last one getting dressed. Take into account capturing those photos of you putting on your jewelry & shoes!
Things to note to your photographer if you want:
- Photos of you and your bridesmaids in matching robes/outfits prior to getting dressed
- Any first look reveal with bridesmaids or dad
Trust me a 10 minute cushion every now and then is a GREAT idea,
don't pack things minute to minute!
It’s amazing how fast time slips away the day of!