Work backwards from the ceremony. Dress on 45 minutes before you need to leave. Robe photos 30 minutes before that. Hair and makeup finish an hour before the dress. Everything else fits around it.
A timeline for a 3pm ceremony
These are the times I'd use for a bride with four bridesmaids and one hair and makeup artist doing everyone. Adjust if you have two artists or a smaller party.
- 8:00am Breakfast. Eat something. Put your robe on now so you're not changing later.
- 8:30am Hair and makeup start on the bridesmaids and mums.
- 11:00am Bride's hair begins.
- 12:00pm Bride's makeup begins. Photographer arrives.
- 12:45pm Robe photos with the bridal party. Everyone is done, nobody is dressed yet.
- 1:15pm Bridesmaids change into their dresses.
- 1:30pm Bride's dress goes on. Mum or maid of honour helps. Photographer stays.
- 1:50pm First look, if you're having one.
- 2:15pm Leave for the ceremony.
When exactly does the robe come off?
After the group photos and before the dress. Not before hair and makeup are finished, or you'll be putting something over your head with a finished face. That's why a front-opening robe matters.
What to have next to you
Water with a straw. Lip colour. A hand mirror. Your vows. The rings, if you're holding them. And something to eat that isn't messy.
Small things that save time
Steam the dress the night before. Lay out the bridesmaids' dresses in order. Give the photographer the robe-photo time in writing. And put your phone in a drawer at 12:45.
Quick answers
How long does bridal hair and makeup take?
Roughly 60–90 minutes for hair and 45–60 for makeup for the bride, and around 45 minutes each for bridesmaids. Confirm with your artist; every team is different.
When should the photographer arrive?
About an hour before the robe photos, so they catch the last of hair and makeup and the details.
What should the bride wear to bed the night before?
Something you can sleep in properly. We wrote a separate guide on that.
What's in the room on the morning
The pieces that make the timeline above run smoothly, all of them front-opening or small enough to keep beside you.
Georgina Long Lace Bridal Robe — long lace bridal robe in white.
Peyton Long Lace Slip Dress — long lace-trimmed satin slip dress for the honeymoon or the wedding morning.
Jasmine Short Robe — short satin bridesmaid robe in white.
Satin Scrunchie — satin scrunchie that creates less friction on hair overnight.
Seraphina Ruffle Bridal Robe — ruffled chiffon bridal robe in ivory.
Questions? Message our Style Concierge team or tag us on Instagram @homebodii.
— Ingrid Bonnor, Founder, Homebodii. Gold Coast, Australia.