Timeline check, please!

kitty8403

OK, ladies. Need to confirm start time so we can get invites out yesterday. Got two towns approx. 30 minutes apart. Hair appointment, 12:30 p.m., in same town as venue. Was instructed to allow an hour for that. Thinking of changing into my dress and meeting makeup artist in the second town (bride's family residence), which would mean some back and forth. The venue has restrooms but no separate space for everybody to get dressed, unless we kick everyone out and lock all the doors. The hotel is maybe 15-20 minutes away but I am not sure how early they will let us check in. Wasn't planning a first look but unsure about when to bring in the photographer. 
FI wants to do a 3 pm ceremony, I am concerned that isn't enough time. Does pushing it back an hour make sense? 

Morning -- go out to venue, do last-minute prep
12:30-1:30 Hair
1:30-2 drive out to get changed/makeup done. (allow 10 minutes or so of wiggle room, travel-wise)
2pm change, do makeup and round up whatever we need for 4 women (possibly some "getting ready" photos?)
3:30 pm Drive back to venue
4 pm start ceremony

^On paper this seems fine, but am I being realistic about how long getting everybody dressed and presentable is going to take? 

Maggie0829

If it were me I would rather start the ceremony at 4pm and have to stand around for a bit rather then starting it at 3pm and having to rush around like a mad woman.

Also, speak with your hotel.  I would be surprised if they didn't allow you to check in early, especially if you pull the "I am a bride and need to get changed" card.  And I wouldn't be too thrilled about getting my makeup done while in my dress.  That could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Is there a reason why your FI wants to have a 3pm ceremony?

kitty8403

Honestly, I think it's mostly because he's been to other weddings that started around that time, so he thinks it's normal. I don't think it's particularly important, and the officiant can start later. 

kitty8403

Thanks. I've been hesitant to annoy the hotel but you're right; it'd save us a lot of hassle if we could just do it all there.

Maggie0829

I wouldn't worry about annoying the hotel.  I would just call and ask and explain your situation.  They may want to charge you a bit extra for early check in but I doubt it.

And since the start time really isn't a big deal to your FI I would just talk to him about how it would be easier for you, getting ready wise, to have it start at 4.  Heck you could even start at 4:30 if you really wanted to play it safe.

tammym1001

What do the other women need to do to get ready? Are they having their make up done as well? My wedding starts at 4:00 and we are starting at the salon at 9:00. I did schedule time in there for lunch though and some pre-wedding pictures with my girls at 2:45 so I guess technically that's when we need to be ready by. We don't have any travel time though as everything is pretty much all in the same place.

kitty8403

I don't think they were too worried about makeup. Some opted for hair appointments and the stylist said she will schedule all of them to be done before I come in, so they'll have more time overall to get prettified, grab lunch, etc. 

[Deleted User]

I would talk to your makeup person to see how long to do your makeup. It too my girl about 20 minutes to do my makeup. Then for my dress, because I had a corset back, it took me about 15-20 minutes or so to get dressed to put shoes on, then the slip & then make sure the slip was right & then put the dress on & make sure the layers for tuelle that were part of the dress were all right & then accessories. It took longer then normal just to get the dress on because we were watching out for my hair & makeup.

itslizzyC

My ceremony starts at 2 and we're starting hair & makeup at 8 am. All the girls are getting ready together and there will be coffee, bagels, and mimosas to enjoy while getting ready. As well as pre-wedding pictures (we have our photographer all day).