When to finish getting ready on your wedding day

When does the bride (or groom) need to be finished getting ready?

Ah, the wedding day—a whirlwind of excitement, emotion, and beautiful moments that seem to pass in the blink of an eye. And yet, so much of your day’s success depends on one important thing: timing. Specifically, how long before the wedding ceremony should the bride be ready, and what does that mean for the bridal party, wedding party, and your photographer?

In this blog post, we’re walking you through everything you need to know about timing your wedding day schedule, from the first curl of the bride’s hair to the final pre-ceremony photos. We’ll answer common questions, explain best practices, and help you set a realistic timeline so you have ample time for everything—without stress.

How long before wedding ceremony should bride be ready?

A solid general rule is that the bride should be fully dressed, with hair and makeup done, at least one hour before the ceremony start time—especially if you’re doing a first look or any pre-ceremony photos with your wedding photographer. If you’re getting ready away from the ceremony venue, plan to be done closer to two hours before the ceremony to allow for travel time and last-minute touch-ups.

If the ceremony begins at 4:00 PM, your makeup artist and hairstylist should have the bride’s makeup and hair finished by 2:00 PM. This gives you about an hour for portraits, family candids, and breathing room before the big walk down the aisle.

Why do you need extra time before the ceremony?

You might be wondering, “Can’t I just get dressed 20 minutes before the ceremony and head out the door?” Technically, yes. But we wouldn’t recommend it. Here’s why:

• Photos: The photo team arrives with the intention of capturing key getting ready moments and those intimate details—makeup application, final zipping of the dress, and toasts with your bridal party.
• Flexibility: Hair and makeup timelines can slip. A slow curling iron or traffic on your stylist’s route can push everything behind.
• Double checking: You’ll want time for personal vows, steaming the dress, eating a snack, and avoiding panic if someone forgets the flower girls’ shoes.
• Moments that matter: Some of the most cherished memories happen in those final quiet minutes—first looks with your parents, gift exchanges, or just soaking it all in.

That’s why planners and photographers always recommend extra time. The goal is to start the wedding ceremony calm, collected, and glowing—not sprinting in with your shoes half on.

How long do hair and makeup actually take?

According to most stylists, brides should allow for:

• 1 hour for hair
• 45–60 minutes for makeup

If you’re unsure how much time you’ll need, ask your makeup artist and hairstylist during your trial. Some styles—especially intricate updos or textured hair—require more time.

Also, remember to budget time for the hair and makeup touch-ups, which can take 10–15 minutes before you leave your ready location.

Who goes first for hair and makeup?

Great question—and it matters more than you’d think! A typical order of services looks like this:

1. Bridesmaids start with hair, then rotate into makeup
2. The bride begins with makeup (so it’s freshest for photos) and finishes with hair

This keeps the bridal party moving efficiently and ensures the bride is finished right when the photographer arrives for pre-ceremony photos. Most pros suggest 30–45 minutes per service, per person.

If you have a large wedding party, hire multiple stylists to avoid falling behind. A great wedding planner or coordinator can also help manage the flow of appointments, especially if someone runs late.

How early should the bride start getting ready?

Working backwards is key. Let’s look at a simple wedding day schedule example:

• Couple fully ready by: 1:00 PM
• Photography starts: 1:00 PM (getting into outfit)
• First Look & Pre-Ceremony portraits 2:00 PM
• Ceremony time: 4:00 PM

Starting early also gives you flexibility to pivot if someone needs to swap appointments or if there’s a last-minute emergency.

What if everyone is getting ready in one location?

If the bride, bridal party, and immediate family are all getting ready in one location, it’s even more important to plan wisely. It can get crowded fast. Assign each person a spot to hang their outfit and pack a personal timeline.

Pro tip: Ask your wedding planner or photographer for a prep timeline based on your exact number of people and wedding day logistics.

Also, let your crew know they’ll need to stick close—this allows for appointment flexibility, in case someone’s makeup application takes longer and someone else can jump in.

What photos are typically taken before the ceremony?

Your wedding photographer will typically take:

• Final hair and makeup done portraits of the bride
• Candid shots of the wedding party helping with accessories or getting dressed
• Flat lays of details (dress, rings, invitations)
• First looks (with groom, family, or bridesmaids)
• Portraits of the bride, groom, and immediate family
• Group photos with the wedding party

This means you’ll need ample time before the ceremony for these key shots. Starting early ensures you’re not skipping those priceless moments—or delaying the start of your wedding.

When should the groom be ready?

The groom and best man don’t usually need as much prep time, but they should aim to be dressed at least 45–60 minutes before the ceremony. This gives time for:

• Photos with the wedding party
• Buttoning jackets, pinning boutonnieres
• Any pre-ceremony portraits or gift exchanges

If the photographer plans to visit both parties before the ceremony, make sure their schedules are staggered and allow for travel time if you’re in separate locations.

What about flower girls and family?

Flower girls, ring bearers, and family members should be dressed and photo-ready at least 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. Kids especially benefit from being dressed closer to go-time to keep outfits clean, but still early enough for photos if needed.

As for immediate family, make sure they know when and where to be ready—especially if you plan to include them in portraits before the ceremony venue.

What’s a good example of a wedding day prep timeline?

Here’s a sample for a 4:00 PM ceremony:

• 8:30 AM – Hair & makeup arrives
• 9:00 AM – First bridesmaid begins hair
• 9:15 AM – First bridesmaid begins makeup
• 10:00 AM – Bride begins makeup
• 11:00 AM – Bride begins hair
• 12:00 PM – Bridesmaids rotate through remaining services
• 1:30 PM – Photo Team arrives / detail photos / portraits
• 2:00 PM – Bride’s glam team finished / gets dressed
• 2:30 PM – First look and pre-ceremony photos
• 3:30 PM – Travel to ceremony venue
• 4:00 PM – Ceremony begins

Adjust this template based on your personal timeline, number of people getting services, and venue layout.

What if there’s a delay?

Delays happen—and they’re okay! The best thing you can do is pad your schedule with extra time. That means:

• Finishing the bride’s hair and makeup early
• Having someone keep the ready location tidy
• Assigning a point person (like the maid of honor or wedding planner) to keep things on track

Remember, it’s better to wait around with a mimosa than to rush and skip special moments.

What tips help keep everything on time?

Here are a few quick tips to help things run smoothly:

• Work backwards from your ceremony time when building your timeline
• Hire professional makeup artists and stylists familiar with weddings
• Ensure hair and makeup done for the bride by an hour before the ceremony
• Communicate the timeline to the entire wedding party
• Plan for touch-ups and outfit changes
• Let your photographer know if you’re doing a first look
• Budget time for unexpected hiccups (a dress wrinkle, a lost earring, etc.)

Final thoughts

So—how long before the ceremony should the bride be ready? Ideally, approximately around an hour before your ceremony begins (and more if you’re offsite). That buffer gives you the space to enjoy your morning, connect with your people, take stunning pre-ceremony photos, and walk into your wedding ceremony glowing and confident.

If you’re still unsure how much time to allocate or when your photographer arrives, consult with your beauty team and wedding planner to build a timeline that reflects your priorities and keeps the day running beautifully.

With ample time, a little flexibility, and a plan you trust, your big day will unfold exactly as it should—filled with love, laughter, and all those magical wedding memories