Getting ready location

I think 3 hours is enough for just 4 people but your HMUA would know better than anyone here. Ask them if it's enough time.

Also, even if you do get ready somewhere else you don't have to wear your dress to the church. You can change when you get there.

I think this is a question for your HMUA. I think 3 hours can be doable but it will really depend on what everyone is having done and how many artists you’re having. FWIW, I’ve been in plenty of weddings where we’ve gotten ready 15-20 minutes away from the venue and it’s always worked out fine.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! I should have mentioned, I did email her a couple of days ago and haven’t received a response. I’m trying to be proactive and get a better ideas

If your HMUA can't make it work with the time available at the church, you could always do your hair and make up at the other location, then travel to the church and put your dress on there. That's what daughter did. The bride's room at her venue wasn't huge and we couldn't access it until noon for their 3:30 ceremony. We went to the HMUA's salon early in the morning, then were back at the house by 11 for "getting ready" photos with the photographer. The BMs put their dresses on here around 11:45, and then we all traveled 15 min to the venue (with the wedding gown laid out carefully in an SUV). The photographer was able to take beautiful pictures of the dress hanging from a balcony railing, then we whisked it off to the bride's room where they got plenty of photos of daughter getting dressed so she was ready for "first look" photos with her dad at 1:15 and with SIL by 1:30. They took a ton of wedding party photos, then we all went to a "sequester" room for snacks and to relax from 2:45-3:30 as the guests arrived. Processional began at 3:30. It worked out perfectly!

I think I’d use the bridal suite at the venue to get ready then put the dress on at the church. It will also be nice to have your things at the venue so you don’t have to then transport them from the church to the venue if you need to freshen up!

View Quoted Comment I’m liking this idea! I am still a bit worried about the veil, though. I have a royal cathedral veil and I’m not sure I would trust any one but the hair lady to put it in securely. Does the hair artist typically do this?

And can you put on the dress after the veil?

View Quoted Comment I'm so glad you asked this because I have the same situation! I totally agree. It makes sense for you to have everything you need at the venue rather than transporting everything to the church and back. My venue doesn't have space for us to get ready so I'm having my HMUA meet us at a nearby Airbnb where we're staying. But I think I'll have the dress taken to the venue so I can put it on there. The bathroom is large enough and has a bench.

View Quoted Comment Glad to hear someone else is in the same boat! I have never been close to this process before, so I’m a little confused about the order of operations. I was imagining it was hair and makeup, and that the HMUA helped you get into your veil and dress so you don’t mess up your hair and makeup in the process. Can anyone verify if this is how it is normally done? And if not, how do you avoid messing it up?


I’m just imagining driving 15 minutes in plainclothes and my veil, then ripping my hairdo out or smearing my makeup trying to get in the dang thing.

View Quoted Comment I got my hair and makeup done at a hotel about 10-15min from our venue. Once I got to the venue, I changed into my dress, and one of my bridesmaids put my veil on me. She was somewhat experienced with those types of things but had consulted with the hairstylist on how to do it and then how to remove it after the ceremony.

I'm getting hair/makeup done at my house with my girls, and I'm "staging" photos there by getting in my dress, having my sister zip it, etc for those photos, but then taking it back off to drive to the venue. My hairstylist is actually also a guest so I'm not super worried about the veil, but my sister just had her hairstylist show the MOH how to put it in correctly. You could also see if your Hair/MUA would be willing to do your other girls at one location and then travel to the church at 12 and do your hair and makeup there?

View Quoted Comment Oh, good to know!! Thanks!

View Quoted Comment Great ideas, thanks! I don’t think my artist is willing to Change locations throughout, unfortunately but it’s sounding like maybe the earlier location could be doable