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Jeni
Devoted July 2021

Realistic Wedding Day Timeline

Jeni, on April 12, 2020 at 3:20 PM Posted in Planning 0 27
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My wedding planner sent us a timeline for our that starts at 8 am, but our ceremony doesn't start until 6 pm! Am I wrong to think that this is way off? Does it really take all day to get ready? She also has me getting my hair and make up done first -- at 8 am. I don't think I'll be in a great mood if I have to wake up at 7 am or earlier on a Saturday and stay up until 1 am (reception ends at midnight).


Background: I have 3 bridesmaids who are arriving dressed with their hair done (on their own). We're all getting make up done (with smocks to protect clothing). The hotel we're getting ready at is 3 blocks from the venue, and the ceremony and reception are at the same place. My photographers aren't arriving until 2 pm, and we're taking all of our pictures before the ceremony. (We could pay for an additional hour if they should arrive at 1 pm instead.) FH an I are in our early 30s and can't stay up all day and night anymore. Our rehersal dinner won't end until late the night before because our venue doesn't allow weekday rehersals before 6 pm. Neither of us are morning people, which is why we chose an evening wedding.
We thought that our wedding day timeline would start at like 10 or 11 am. Are we crazy? Or should we send our planner back to the drawing board?

27 Comments

Latest activity by Jeni, on April 14, 2020 at 12:54 PM
  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    Does there need to be any set up done for the ceremony or reception? so my ceremony was at 5p but we all woke up at around 9a. i had to set up my ceremony with my friends myself though but a lot of people wake earlier and get ready because some might do photography beforehand. i think if you start yours at 10a it's ok too. it's really all in how long you think you'll need to get ready and other stuff.

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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    No, we're mostly paying people to set up our venue. We have a coulle od things to drop off the night before, but that's it.


    All we have to do on our wedding day is show up, get married, and have a good time!
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    If you want to take all of your photos before the ceremony, you’ll probably start around 2:30-3pm. I can’t see it taking 6.5 hours for hair for one and makeup for 4. You, as the bride, should also have your services done last. Your planner seems way off.
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  • Michelle
    VIP September 2021
    Michelle ·
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    I know I initially thought the same thing at first but I think that's about right. My makeup artist suggested starting at 8am as well for our 5pm ceremony, pictures will probably be around 3pm for us (it's myself, 4 bridesmaids and 2 moms getting makeup done)...It may take about 2 hours for your hair, 45 minutes to an hour to complete the makeup x4 faces and maybe an 1 and a half for all your photos. So I think that may be good timing. It's really like a whole production lol, meanwhile the men will be chilling until about noon!
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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    Yeah, I thought for sure that I would have my make up done last, so I was really thrown off that I would be ready to go at like 9 or 10 and sit around and wait for everyone else. Plus, I'm likely to majorly mess up my make up eating lunch, lol.
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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    Oh, I had to let my hair stylist know this isn't a regular appointment where we sit around all day. Hop to it, ma'am! LOL At least knowing your timeline will give at least an hour of sleep back, which is needed. Thanks for sharing!


    And yes, the men are just hanging out doing whatever until after lunch. Sigh.
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  • M
    Master October 2021
    Mrs.a ·
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    Does your hair involve setting it in curlers, etc? Before actually styling it? Depending on how involved your hairstyle is she may need to bounce back and forth between you and your girls.
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  • Michelle
    VIP September 2021
    Michelle ·
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    Lol yes no time to play around and no problem hun! Happy planning!
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  • B
    VIP July 2017
    Becky ·
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    We started at 9 am for a 6 pm ceremony, but we were still needing hair and make-up lol

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  • Tori
    Dedicated November 2020
    Tori ·
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    I’m not a morning person either, but I also hate rushing. Me personally I would rather wake up early and have an hour to rest. I’m not sure how your hair and makeup will hold up all day. My wedding is at 4 PM and I’m starting my hair and makeup at 1:00-my trial run only took 2 hours. But, everything else should be ready to go by then. That way my makeup is fresh.
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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    I'm the only one getting my hair done. I'm wearing my hair down with spiral curls. Using the curling iron, no rollers. My hair will hold that style all day.
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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    I don't want to rush, either, but at the same time, I don't want to be up for no reason. I'm also hoping to spend some time alone before getting my day started. Once my family shows up I won't have a moment of peace and definitely no time to rest. If I have to start dealing with that at 7 am, idk how I'm going to survive all night!


    Your timeline makes sense to me. I know my make up won't look fresh if it's done at 8 am.
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  • Caitlin
    Devoted June 2021
    Caitlin ·
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    Seems off. We are starting around 8am but our ceremony is at 3! And your hair/makeup should always be done last!
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  • G
    Savvy July 2021
    Gabrielle ·
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    Your HMU artist should tell you what time they need to begin in order for you to be ready before your photos, not your planner. They’re professionals and will know best how long their process takes. Typically they save the bride for last so your make up is the freshest. I think my planner said my hair and make up needed to be done about an hour before our first look to account for getting dressed and getting to the venue before my fiancé.
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  • R
    Super September 2018
    Rachel ·
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    8am start time does sound about right. As others have said, bride should have hair and makeup done last though, to stay fresh.


    We had a 5:30pm ceremony, with first looks and wedding party/immediate family portraits ahead of the ceremony and we started bridal party hair and makeup at 8:30am. 4 bridesmaids and two moms with 1 MUA and one hair stylist. Staged getting ready photos started at the venue at 2pm followed by first looks with husband, Dad, and bridal party, then wedding party formal portraits, etc. If you want to trim the timeline, hire and additional hair stylist or move some photos to post-ceremony (but understand the risk that your might run behind schedule or run out of time).
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  • Candice
    Dedicated July 2020
    Candice ·
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    No way! That is way too early. Your makeup will be worn off by 6pm! Our ceremony is 6:30/7 and I've insisted we not start hair & makeup until 3pm. I have one bridesmaid (my future daughter), who will also be getting her hair & makeup done. I plan to sleep in and then work out, shower, blow my hair dry and show up. We have nothing to set up and the photographer arrives at 6pm.....noone has complained about timing. I think your day could easily start at 10am, with you being the last one to get your hair & makeup done - AFTER Lunch. Good luck!

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  • J
    Master October 2022
    Jana ·
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    That sounds crazy. Your hair and makeup should be as fresh as possible and it won't be if it's done that early in the morning. Unless there's something else that needs to be done that early that can't be taken care of by a professional, go back to the drawing board.

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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    Okay, that makes the most sense. I will ask the MUA what she feels is the best time. Thank you so much!
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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    I'm the only one getting my hair done and only me and my 3 bridesmaids are getting make up done. My make up artist will only do 4 people total on a wedding day so she doesn't have to rush. My hair shouldn't take more than 30 minutes, but giving it 60 minutes just in case!
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  • Jeni
    Devoted July 2021
    Jeni ·
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    Thanks, I'll talk to my MUA and adjust based on her experience, letting her know the photographers are arriving at 2 pm.
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