Mom is apprehensive about hair and makeup time

You can ask the hair/makeup artist what she prefers (after all she probably has a better sense of how long it will take)


I do think starting at 10 will be the best idea in my opinion!

You could ask the hair and make up lady but it sounds more practical to have it the way you originally set it or perhaps you can ask if touch ups can be done?

Ask your beauty team what the best timeline is since they do this for a living. Also ask your photographer what works best based on the beauty team's timelines.

View Quoted Comment She said it would take 3.5 hours so starting at 10 would be best

View Quoted Comment These are the times given by my vendors

Can you hire two HAMU artists and just do both of you guys at the same time? What happens between 3-5PM? Typically first look pictures take 15-30 minutes.

View Quoted Comment

2:30 - 2:45 Walk to First Look

2:45 - 3:00 First Look

3:00 - 3:15 Bride & Groom Portraits

Bride & Groom Individuals

3:15 - 3:30 Bride with Bridesmaids

3:30 - 3:45 Full Bridal Party

3:45 - 4:00 Groom with Groomsmen

4:00 - 4:30 Immediate Family Photos

4:30 - 5:00 Bride & Groom Hide, Rest & Retouch

View Quoted Comment And no, that would be out of budget. She requires 2 people minimum to travel, and 3 people minimum for a 2nd artist

View Quoted Comment I am thinking about asking for touch ups. But I believe it’s like $75 an hour for any extra time she’s there

Daughter’s HMUA only did her HMU and mine. We started at 7am to ensure we were home again by 10:45 as the BMs and photographer were meeting at our house at 11am. I went first, both hair & make-up, then she worked on daughter/bride. Clearly, D was the top priority and we wanted her to be done as late as possible. Honestly, both of our HMU lasted 14+ hours, so it didn’t matter at all that I was done at 8:30 am. I’d listen to your HMUA’s recommendations and just tell you mom that’s the schedule....

I would move photos to cocktail hour personally. Imo, that's what it's there for

View Quoted Comment Me and FH will be doing sunset photos during cocktail hour

We had a similar timeline, started at 8:30am for getting ready photos at 1:45pm. We had a lot of bridesmaids though lol and everyone's hair and makeup was perfect. They did a touchup right at the end for everyone so maybe that's an option for you all. We did photos from 2:30 to 4 for first look so we could enjoy cocktail hour/change.

I would go by what the place suggests. It’s always good to plan for extra time as well, so you’re not rushing, and to account for any delays. Also, you should be having your work done first, then your mom. It’s your day, and it is essential for you to be completely done. I am sure they will also recommend the order, but I would not think you go last at all. I have two people working on 4 of us, and while I get my makeup done, the other woman will be doing one person’s hair, and then they swap. They have time at the end for any touch ups needed. Stay strong, it’s your day, what you say goes!

View Quoted Comment But I don’t want to be done first. We wouldn’t get any “getting ready” photos with my makeup being done if I was first.

View Quoted Comment You don’t need to be “completely done,” but they should start with you, move to your mother, and finish up with you. Your photographer can get some of them finishing up your look. If you’re looking for more getting ready photos than just the touch ups, then you should have your photographer show up much earlier. Mine is arriving at noon, and we are needing to be done by 2. You can also lounge around and relax while they finish up your mom and then get into your dress afterward. For timing sake I would say you should be done before her, even if they alternative you, mom, you again, mom again. You’re the most important that day.

View Quoted Comment I don’t know. Everything I’ve read said bride goes last because her hair and makeup should be the freshest. I’m still going to plan on being done last. We have about a 20-30 minute “gap” for running late with photography just in case

View Quoted Comment You are right, bride should be done last so her hair and makeup is the freshest.


Are you having one photographer or two? If two, they should be able to divide and conquer to slim up that photo timeline a little bit. For example, one photographer can do groomsmen/grooms getting ready while the other does bridesmaids/bride getting ready. One secret you should know, getting ready photos are staged. Your photographer will not being taking professional photos of you with your hair and makeup partially applied. Your HMUA will just used a clean brush and pretend to finish your makeup or add an extra spray of hairspray.
If your Mom is worried her makeup will wear off, perhaps clue her in that the HMUA is happy to stay for touch ups at [insert hourly rate]. Maybe she’ll want to splurge and cover the fee or maybe she’ll understand why you have reservations. 😊