When Should I Be Ready?
Brides often ask me, “When should I be ready before the ceremony?”
I thought it might be a good idea to answer here. Of course, I can only answer for my own clients. Other wedding photographers may do things differently.
I like to leave the prep location at least 20 minutes before you set off for the ceremony. This gives me enough time to set up at the ceremony location before you arrive. It’s easiest if we count back from the ceremony time and work it out from there.
When Should I Be Ready for a 3pm Ceremony?
Let’s say the wedding ceremony starts at the classic spring and autumn time of 3pm. If the church, venue or garden is 15 minutes away, I would leave the prep location at 2:25pm. You would then leave for the wedding closer to 2:45pm.
I like to capture bridal portraits before the wedding. This usually takes around 60 minutes (max). So I recommend finishing getting dressed by 1:25pm. Next, count back the time you think it will take to put your gown on. Ask your makeup artist and hair stylist to finish by then.
So if getting dressed will take 25 minutes, ask your stylist/s to finish your makeup and hair by 1pm.
Allowing Extra Time
Obviously, these times depend on the distance between the prep and ceremony locations. They also depend on how long you think getting dressed will take. If it helps, I always suggest overestimating times. You’d be really surprised how fast time flies. Things that are normally quick and easy seem to take longer than expected. Getting ready on a wedding day is nothing like getting ready at any other time in your life.
Here is an image I captured with Michelle. She was ready early enough for us to go and capture some pre-ceremony portraits. I’d like to thank Tasleema Nigh and Nicola Reardon for doing such an amazing job on the day. The girls looked absolutely amazing, with heaps of time to spare!
Makeup: Tasleema Nigh
Hair: Hair By Nicola
VENUE: Weddings at Tiffany’s
CELEBRANT: Pastor Jim Cameron
FLOWERS: Tiffany’s Flowers
MUSIC: 16 Strings String Quartet
VIDEOGRAPHER: Lemon Tree Film House
ACCOMMODATION: Lemon Grove
CAR: Wedding Cars of Maleny
CAKE: Coast Wedding Creations
