Generally speaking, most brides will need about 30 to 45 minutes from the time they step into their wedding dress until they're ready to walk out the door. If that sounds like a lot to you, remember that you're dressing, accessorizing, and stopping for a few photos in the process.
For the bride and a bridal party of four, we suggest starting to get ready four to five hours before the ceremony begins. This will provide ample time for hair, makeup, and photos. Add an hour and a half for each additional bridal party member (or subtract the same amount of time for smaller wedding parties).
We recommend getting ready at least six hours hours before the ceremony start time (however you can always start earlier or later if you feel it's necessary).
The bridal suite is a room where you prepare (both physically and mentally) to say "I do" in front of all your family and friends. It's where the bride gets to relax (as much as one can), get her hair and makeup done, and toast to the day's events with her bridal party before walking down the aisle.
A wedding processional typically lasts between three to five minutes, depending on the number of people taking part. The bride's walk down the aisle can take up to one minute of that time.
Can brides actually walk down the aisle alone? Absolutely! It is actually an old tradition that the father is passing his daughter to her husband to take care of and cherish.
Traditionally, the flower girl and page boys walk down the aisle first, scattering petals if they have them. Next the Bride and the Father of the Bride walk down the aisle. They are followed by the bridesmaids; the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid being the closest to the bride.
The tradition is based on an Old English rhyme that dates back to 19th-century Lancashire. It describes the items a bride should have on her wedding day: "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe."
That is completely up to you, who you want with you when you get ready. Most brides have their bridesmaids and mum. Some also have friends, or grandma, and mother of the groom too.
To put your mind at ease, opt to apply makeup before styling your strands, so you don't have to worry about your hair getting in the way. Do your makeup first…if you're pressed for time. On a tight schedule? Spend more time on your makeup.
She can spend a little time with both the bride and groom.
If that's the case, she may want to start her morning with the bride and her group, then leave once she has her hair and makeup done. After, she can head to the groom's getting-ready area to help him prepare for his walk down the aisle.
Bridal hair and makeup should take approximately 60-90 minutes on the day of your wedding. Keep in mind that this number can vary based on the style you have your heart set on. For example, if you go for a beautiful updo, know that more time could be required.
On the wedding day, the maid of honor helps the bride dress and accompanies her to the ceremony. She signs the marriage license as the bride's witness, arranges her veil and train during the processional and recessional, and holds her bouquet at the altar.
3-4 p.m. is the ideal start time.
You may have a “Sunset Ceremony” this time of year by starting 30 min prior to sunset, but you MUST take most of your couple and bridal party photos before the ceremony.
A secondary tradition is the bride spending the night with her bridal party. "The point of bridesmaids has always been to make things easier for the bride and bring her luck," explains Gage.
Traditionally, the bride and her family are responsible for paying for all wedding planning expenses, the bride's attire, all floral arrangements, transportation on the wedding day, photo and video fees, travel and lodgings for the officiant if he comes from out of town, lodging for the bridesmaids (if you have offered ...
The Bride. If you're still following tradition, then the bride is only responsible for paying for the groom's wedding band and wedding gifts for her bridesmaids. However, there are many wedding costs (everything from a coordinator to flowers and décor) that are often shared between the bride and her family.
This leaves many wondering which finger their new ring should go on or if they should even be wearing their engagement ring to the ceremony. It's perfectly normal, however, to wear both the engagement ring and the wedding ring during your wedding ceremony – how you wear them is up to you.
The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by her son if she has one. Otherwise, any close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman walks with the mother of the bride during the procession.
The married couple go first! If the officiant has any announcements to make, the couple can walk down the aisle, the officiant can make the announcement, then the bridal party can start making their way back down the aisle. Here is a quick suggestion for a recessional order: Bride & Groom.
From walking down the aisle first to last, the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.