Getting Ready

Ummmm, yes. If they are with you "getting ready", when are they suppose to have their hair and makeup done? Not sure what you expect them to do. They can go early for their H/MU and the get over to you and get dressed - that seems reasonable.

While I understand wanting everyone to be together since you aren't paying for it then I don't think you have say even if they have their hair and makeup done let alone where. What you can say is I d like everyone to be back together at x time and have some refreshments and hangout time while you get dressed and take photos. Enjoy your day and try not to let this aspect of it bother you. Best of luck

You’d be totally out of line even if you were providing access to a hair and makeup person of your choice and paying for it, though in my experience most BMs will take advantage of the latter for convenience sake.


They do need to to be on time for photos and to help you get ready, maybe bring you something to eat or drink or help in the bathroom after the gown is on, but certainly not hours in advance. In fact, what they are planning was very much the norm in the past until social media ran with the whole “getting ready” trend.

I would let them get ready wherever they need to. It's a good idea to specify a time that you'd like them to be back by, but otherwise let them do what they need to. I totally understand wanting to spend quality time with everyone while getting ready, but I'm sure they won't be missing the whole morning. One of my bridesmaids wanted to get her hair done before showing up to the venue (instead of using the hair stylist I booked), and she really didn't miss much! The rest of us were just sitting around, waiting our turn for hair/makeup. You'll most likely still have plenty of time with them, even if they show up a little late.

Thank you all! I just had never heard of the bridal party getting ready separately, not even from older generations. I will be letting them all know a time to arrive if they will be getting ready at a separate location.

Makes sense for them to get HMU then arrive where you're getting ready. How else do you see it happening? They will have to get ready.

Hi! Maybe my plan for the day will help you. I'm getting my hair and makeup done with just my Mom early in the morning. Some girls have decided to get their hair and makeup done somewhere else at the same time. Then all the ladies are coming over for lunch and champagne until it's time for the first look and photos. This ways it's cheaper and less stress and less coordinating. But I still get to have my fun time with the girls. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment For my brother's wedding, not everyone got their hair and makeup done together. To be fair though, my sister-in-law completely forgot about hair and makeup when planning so we had to schedule it last minute and nowhere in our town had enough time in their schedule for all of us at once. Her mom and her ended up at once salon and my mom, sister and I ended up at another. We all met up at the church afterwards to get dressed and hangout before the wedding started. It worked out just fine. She had just asked us to met her over at the church by noon I believe.

My bridesmaids did their own makeup and I had my hair and makeup separately from them. I just asked them to meet at the venue at a certain time for us to get dressed etc. I would ask them to meet you at the venue/or place for you and your party to get together to do everything that you have planned for your wedding