How early is too early to start getting ready on the day of?

Absolutely. It takes a while to do hair, especially for eight people. Imagine 45 minutes per person for hair. That puts you at right around noon. And she's doing makeup too...definitely enough time, and you don't want to be rushing either!

You can always eat while getting ready, and you won't be sitting around waiting, either, I promise.

She’s likely built some buffer time in case something takes longer than expected, but half an hour between being done and your photographer arriving isn’t much time at all. As far as breakfast goes, order some platters from room service or a place like Panera so you guys can enjoy breakfast during hair and makeup.

5 hours for 8 faces sounds about right. 😊

What is HMUA? Sorry, I'm not understanding the context of who this person is and what role they are playing in regards to your wedding activities.

No that's not normal. That's WAY too early, and it sounds to me like you're right - she is probably trying to fit more than one wedding into one day, and that's simply not fair to you.

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Hair and Makeup Artist

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Hair and Makeup Artist

I think 5 hours for 8 people's hair and makeup seems right.

We have to start super early because our ceremony is at 1. Could you have some breakfast trays catered to the salon or the site where you are getting ready. My mom rented a three bedroom air bnb and we’ll get ready there and we are having a local bakery deliver brunch. I’ve been in other weddings like this and it works out pretty well while people are waiting to get their hair/makeup done they can eat and just hang out.

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So sad that we don't have a Panera here! There are so many food places that I read about where couples buy from to feed their wedding party and we have none of them here!

I'd just be so sad because I'd want to head to the church with a freshly brushed mouth but I guess that's not happening since I'll have duck lips from the moment she puts on my lipstick until we get to the church! haha!

I NEVER wear makeup so I'll be super paranoid to get it wiped off or smear!

Sorry I forgot to mention that a main reason why I booked her (besides that I know her but, more importantly, I know her work from other weddings I've been in) is also because she works quick. Like REALLY quick. She actually said she'll be done "well before" 12 but she knows I'd want time to take pictures and relax instead of going straight from hair and makeup to pictures to leaving. I see her point but can't help but think it's too early. Not like I have the right to say that I want to start later, right?

That being said, should I have the two moms go first and then send them back home to get ready with the dads? Would it be too much trouble to have them come to the hotel that early, to be worked on for about an hour or two total, and then leave to go home? They don't want to stay at the hotel the night before and will be about a 30 minute drive away to get to the hotel. They'd have plenty of time to get ready and then come back to the hotel by the time the shuttle leaves at 1:30, right?

That estimate sounds about right. That is a lot of people to get done by 12:30 and this way she has a buffer in case someone takes longer than planned. I only had 3 bridesmaids and me and my HMUA started at 9 to be done by 12:30 so if you're adding more people to that then each additional person would be about an hour longer (so in your case should start at 6 but she's starting at 7). We ate breakfast while we were getting ready. One girl would be in the chair while the rest of us would be sitting at the table eating. Whatever lipstick she puts on you will need to last all day and through eating, drinking and kissing so this shouldn't be a problem. You can ask her if she has a lip gloss or small tube to give you to do touch ups during the day.

This sounds right to me. I did glam makeup for my engagement photos and she took a solid hour on me. The MUA might not be as meticulous on the bridesmaids and flower girl, but still, good, photo-ready makeup doesn't take 20 minutes!

If you want, you can always create a schedule for your girls. Maybe have the moms come in early, and then they can head back to their husbands. You can have the bridesmaids come in later.

I totally get what you mean about wanting to have breakfast with your girls!

I'm planning on ordering scones, quiche, coffee & water, and maybe like a fruit and veggie tray for everyone to snack on while we're getting ready. Maybe you could order this from the hotel and have it delivered to your room? Or something from a local restaurant?

It sounds ok to me, I have the same as you, 4 bms, 2 moms plus myself. The wedding starts at 2 30pm. My MUA says 45mins for person and 1 hour for the bride. We are starting at 8am and leave for the ceremony at about 145.

View Quoted Comment Oh LoL! Yes, it can take 2-3hrs depending on what is all being done!

This sounds right to me. Each person needs at least 30 minutes for hair and 30 minutes for make up, and bump that up to at least 45 mins for you the bride!

That is perfectly normal since there’s a quite a few of you. For my sister in laws wedding we started at 7 and there was 5 bridesmaids 2 mothers and the bride of course. Hair takes awhile. The make up and hair ladies will rotate you guys. You will be last for hair and make up since everything needs to be perfect for you.

Hair and makeup can take quite some time esp with that many people. I would rather have her come that early than have her rushing through everyone and not being able to tweek things

With 8 people needing hair and makeup done I would definitely recommend getting a second person. The person you have already hired should do yours, but 8 people is A LOT! At my SIL’s wedding this past Sunday her HMUA took about 3 and a half hours total on my hair/makeup, SIL hair/makeup, and BM makeup. It was getting stressful towards the end!