How to Get Ready for Your Wedding Day

Everyone always talks about what you need to do in regards to planning your wedding day, but nobody talks about what you need to be doing leading up to those last few days before your wedding day! Here, we will go over everything you should be doing on those last few days so that you can focus on enjoying the moment. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Start With a Wedding Morning Timeline

The first thing you should be doing to prep for your wedding if you haven't already, is make a wedding morning timeline. Having a wedding morning timeline will help the day feel structured and help you feel prepared for the day.

What to include in the timeline:

What time to wake up
When hair and makeup should start
When to eat
When to get dressed
When photos begin
When to leave for the ceremony

Sample Morning Timeline

Sample Wedding Morning Timeline (4:00 PM Ceremony)

7:30 AM – Wake Up Slowly

Take a shower.
Do light skincare routine.
Eat a small but filling breakfast.
Start hydrating.
Play calming music.

8:30 AM – Hair & Makeup Team Arrives

Set up stations near natural light.
Photographer may arrive around this time for detail shots.
Give vendors final inspiration photos if needed.

8:45 AM – Hair Begins

Bride typically goes in the middle of the lineup (not first, not last).
Bridesmaids rotate through hair appointments.
Keep snacks and water nearby.

9:30 AM – Photographer Arrives

Captures getting-ready details.
Takes flat lay photos (invitation suite, rings, shoes, perfume).
Candid shots of bridal party.

10:30 AM – Makeup Begins

Bridesmaids continue rotating.
Bride’s makeup typically scheduled to finish about 1 hour before getting dressed.

12:30 PM – Light Lunch

Eat something protein-based.
Continue drinking water.
Avoid messy foods that could stain robes.

1:15 PM – Bride’s Hair & Makeup Finished

Touch-ups done.
Relax for a few minutes.
Bathroom break before getting into dress.

1:30 PM – Get Dressed

Photographer captures buttoning/zipping the dress.
Put on shoes, jewelry, veil.
Bridesmaids assist.

2:00 PM – First Look

Private moment with partner (if doing one).
Capture emotional photos.

2:30 PM – Bridal Party Photos

Full wedding party portraits.
Immediate family photos (if doing before ceremony).

3:30 PM – Freshen Up & Hide Away

Touch up lipstick and powder.
Drink water.
Take deep breaths.
Step away before ceremony begins.

4:00 PM – Ceremony Begins

2. Pack a Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Make sure you have packed a day of emergency kit. Emergency kits are very important because they help last minute emergencies turn into fixable mishaps.

Include items like:

Blotting papers
Lipstick/lip gloss
Safety pins
Fashion tape
Bobby pins
Deodorant
Tissues
Pain reliever
Snacks
Stain remover pen
Mints
Phone charger

Making a "bridal survival kit" will help you feel that much more prepared on your wedding day!

3. Eat and Hydrate (Even If You’re Nervous)

Brides always forget to do this, and it always ends with brides feeling horrible when they are supposed to be feeling happy and excited.

Make sure to:

Have a light but filling breakfast
Hydrate and don't drink too much caffeine
Have easy snacks nearby
Avoid alcohol too early in the day

Doing this simple things will help you feel your best on your happy day!

4. Prep Your Skin & Body the Week Before

This next step will help you look and feel your best on the entire day of your wedding and it's super easy too! Prepping your skin and body will help you feel refreshed and ready to get married.

Here is how to do that:

Final skincare routine
Avoid trying new products
Get your nails done 1–2 days before
Lay out your accessories
Steam your dress in advance

5. Create a Calm Getting-Ready Space

Creating a cute, fun, and calming getting-ready space for the morning of the wedding will help you set up your day well and make the day feel intentional.

Suggestions on how to do this:

Natural lighting for photos
Matching pajamas or robes
Clean, clutter-free room
Music playlist
Candles (if allowed)
A designated area for your dress

6. Decide Who Should Be There

This is part can be difficult at times but it is one of the most important parts. Making sure your getting ready space is filled with those who love you and support you will help you feel calm and happy in those last few hours.

Ideas:

Keep the room peaceful
Limit extra guests
Choose people who calm you
Consider private time before the ceremony

7. Lay Out All Accessories the Night Before

Some brides forget small things throughout the day, but laying everything out the night before will help you not miss any important detail.

Checklist:

Dress
Veil
Shoes
Jewelry
Undergarments
Perfume
Vow book
Rings (assign to someone!)
Marriage license

Make sure to read "The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Accessories for Brides" to learn everything you need to know about wedding accessories!

8. Plan for Photos

Photographers often start during the getting ready process so that they can get those super cute photos of the bride and bridesmaids getting ready. Make sure to plan for those photos!

Tips:

Keep the room tidy
Have invitation suite ready
Bring heirlooms
Steam dress before photos
Hang dress somewhere aesthetic

9. Plan for Emotional Moments

Wedding mornings can be very emotional, and that is totally normal. Wedding days are so special but bring a whole wave of emotions. Make sure to plan for those emotions and make the best of them.

Ideas:

Write a letter to your partner
Pray or journal
Do a quiet moment alone
Read a meaningful passage
Take deep breaths before walking down the aisle

10. Don’t Forget Logistics

This step is unglamorous but necessary. Making sure to double check last minute steps will help you be able to enjoy the day better and refrain from stressing out about details you are unsure about.

Examples:

Confirm transportation
Double-check vendor arrival times
Assign someone as point-of-contact
Bring tip envelopes
Have someone carry your phone

Making sure that every little step has been planned and thought out will help you feel that much more prepared to marry the love of your life!

Conclusion:

Your wedding morning is one of the most memorable and special moments of your entire wedding day. Spending those last few moments as a unmarried woman with your closest friends and family is something you will look back on for the rest of your life. I have only the fondest memories from the morning before the wedding. Me and my friends got all dressed up, did our hair and makeup, and danced the morning away all while reminiscing the past and getting excited about the future.

I just know if you romanticize those few hours before your wedding, that you will cherish those memories for the rest of your life!

We hope you found everything you need in this article and feel prepared for your wedding day. Good luck!