The number one thing that makes a wedding morning stressful is running late on hair and makeup. The fix is a simple timeline built backwards from when you need to leave. Here's how to do it.
How long each service takes
- Makeup: roughly 45–60 minutes per person.
- Hair: roughly 45–60 minutes per person.
- The bride: allow a little extra — around 75–90 minutes total, plus a few minutes for photos and touch-ups.
One artist works through the party one at a time. For larger groups, more than one artist (or makeup + hair running in parallel) keeps the morning on track.
Build the timeline backwards
Start from your 'ready' time — usually 30–45 minutes before you actually leave, so there's room for dressing, photos and the unexpected. Then count back through each person. A worked example for a bride plus three bridesmaids with one artist doing makeup only:
- Leave: 12:30pm — be fully ready by 11:45am.
- Bride's makeup: 10:15–11:30am (finished last so it's freshest).
- Bridesmaid 3: 9:30–10:15am.
- Bridesmaid 2: 8:45–9:30am.
- Bridesmaid 1: 8:00–8:45am.
If you're also doing hair, either add a second artist or start earlier. Your Glamr artist will help you map this out once you book — see bridesmaid makeup & hair for how group bookings work.
Who goes first?
Generally: anyone leaving early or in early photos goes first, the bride goes last so her look is freshest, and anyone prone to nerves goes earlier rather than waiting around. The mother of the bride often slots in the middle.
A few timing tips
- Book a bridal trial so the day itself is faster and predictable.
- Have the room ready: a bright window, a table, and a power point for the artist.
- Build in a 15–20 minute buffer — someone always runs late.
- Eat and hydrate before makeup starts.
Ready to lock in your date? Find your wedding makeup artist and your artist will help you set the morning's timeline.