Timing Guide
Creating the Perfect - Getting Ready - Timeline for Your Big Day
Your wedding day should be as smooth and stress-free as possible, and having a well-planned getting ready schedule is key to making that happen! Here's a simple guide to help you plan the timings for your makeup on the day.
Set-Up Time (15-20 minutes)
I’ll need about 15-20 minutes to set up my station when I arrive. This allows me to get all my equipment, products, and lighting ready so that we’re all set for an effortless start.
Makeup for Your Wedding Party (40 minutes per person)
Each member of your wedding party, whether it's bridesmaids, mums, or anyone else, will take about 40 minutes for their makeup. This gives me time to create a beautiful, lasting look while ensuring there’s no rush.
This is plenty of time to allow no matter if they’re wanting to have a full-coverage glam look or something much more paired back. If we don’t use the full 40 minutes, happy days! There will be extra time to play with on the day.Bridal Makeup (Up to 1 hour)
When it’s your turn, we’ll spend up to an hour to make sure your makeup is perfect and tailored exactly to your vision. This is where the magic happens, so I like to take my time and make sure every detail is spot-on. The full time slot is never usually spent entirely doing makeup. Often your florist will arrive with your flowers, or your photographer will arrive and want to have a chat to say hello, or maybe even the wedding coordinator or a bridesmaid! Anything can happen, so this extra time ensures that we can feel comfortable knowing its ok to stop for a quick chat, a toilet break or a few tears.
Final Touch-Ups & Lipstick (30 minutes)
After everyone’s makeup is done, I like to leave 30 minutes for any final checks, retouches, and lipstick application. This ensures everything looks flawless and fresh right before the big moment. Bonus points if I have time to take some pictures of you and your gorgeous wedding team.
This is also the perfect time for everyone to be getting into your outfits, if there’s a few of you we can create a conveyor belt between putting dresses on, touching up lipstick and the hair stylist retouching a few curls. This is often a really fun part of the morning that’s full of energy!
General Rules
I always aim to finish all makeup at least an hour before your ceremony begins. This gives you time to relax, get dressed, and enjoy the last bit of prep without any pressure. I’ll stay for any last-minute touch-ups but will head off as soon as everything’s complete and you’re all set. Usually no later than 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.
The order of hair or makeup first differs from person to person. Generally speaking, it's always useful if someone with a fringe or layered hair towards their face has their hair done after their make up as I will need to clip up these pieces during the make up application process. However as long as a hairstylist doesn't mind touching up these front pieces of hair after the make up is completed, we don't need to worry who goes first for what.
