Getting ready with your crew, wedding day edition. A how to-                   

When it comes to getting ready on your wedding day, this is often looked back on as one of the most fun and relaxing parts of the day. The suspense, the music, the mimosas. All good times. I have compiled the list below to ensure everyone has a laid back & fun morning.

1) Getting ready location

When choosing a place to get ready, there is a lot to take into consideration here. Most people think the venue where the wedding will take place is best, and this can be a great & convenient option but be sure to check on the venue's policies and layout. Oftentimes venues will not allow early entry times, some as late as 2:00PM. If you have a large bridal party, this will not work with timing. Similarly with having a large bridal party, if the venue's provided "getting ready" space is small, getting ready off-site may be the best option. But don't fret, in my experience off site locations are often the most ideal! Allow me to explain- In the event your venue doesn't work, you're left with two options, A close by hotel or Airbnb.

With a hotel, I highly suggest inquiring about the hotel's conference room. This provides a large open area to get ready in, often with great lighting and plenty of table space for eating and celebrating pre-ceremony, all while still having your own private hotel room to go back to if needed. 
 

With an Airbnb, you have your choice of location, layout, and lighting. Be sure to choose a spot close to your venue with plenty of space for everyone to comfortably get ready, (Also, keep in mind your vendors who may be there along with their equipment.) A space with great lighting for fantastic hair, makeup, and photos. And lastly, a beautiful photo worthy Airbnb never hurts either. :)

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2) Wedding chores 

If you will be sleeping at the venue, this is a huge perk. Consider steaming dresses the night before. If that's not possible, have someone steam the dresses the day of who has not yet received their hair and makeup services yet to avoid curls falling flat or breaking a sweat with all that steam.

3) Who goes first?

Have a designated person to begin hair and makeup first. I’ve seen it, honestly we’ve probably all seen it when the hair and makeup person is all set up and ready to begin and suddenly everyone avoids eye contact, and desperately tries to look busy. I get it. Really, I do. But in this instance, it can be really helpful to sort over that first hump of who goes first in advance to avoid slow downs.

Aside from that, you may pre-plan name per name who goes after that, but I highly recommend taking that with a grain of salt. Allow me to explain: I have found somewhere along the way, the schedule will either not be followed because the person next in line isn’t ready quite yet, OR even worse, people try to follow the schedule exactly even at the expense of slowing down the day. But trust me, it will be much more beneficial to go ahead and move on to the next person while Auntie fights her way through traffic to get her services done. Pinky promise, lol.

With that said, it’s best to figure out who’s going first, where the bride is going in line, and after that have everyone go in order of who is ready and available to be seated to receive their service. And if you prefer to have names next to time slots, that’s alright too, but make sure that won't be at the expense of slowing down the schedule if the next person isn’t ready to begin, for whatever reason. 

4) Pre plan breakfast and lunch

& Yes, you HAVE to eat even if you're nervous!

5) Gotta have a speaker

Nothing sets the tone quite like blasting your favorite music with a group of your fav people.

6) Wedding gifts before hair and makeup

Get as much of the tears out before hair and makeup is on.

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7) Get a good nights rest. It’ll be a long day, in the best way

Trust me, nothing is worse then waking up on the day of your wedding feeling exhausted or even sick. So don't go too hard the day before the wedding- save it for the after party. ;)