Recent Brides -- how much time did you really need...

To get dressed and get your makeup done? Not hair, just dressed and made up.

What time did you tell your photographer to arrive in relation to your ceremony start time?

Did it all work out or were you rushing around? Did your BMs get dressed & made up with you?

I'm basically trying to figure out how long the whole getting ready process takes, including my 7 BMs, 2 FGs, & 2 Mothers...

I'm giving us approximately 4 1/2 hours so that we are ready by 11am and have the photographer arrive at 11:30 for getting ready shots. The ceremony begins at 2pm. How does this sound??

I started my hair & m/u at 7 am...and was dressed & ready for pics by 10:30. I had my hair set the night before, though, so add 1/2 hour to that.

(ETA: I did not do formal pics of me getting dressed b/c I had a corset dress...it took 2 people to get me into he dress & was not something I wanted to remember on film )

I gave myself about 3 1/2 hours to get ready. I was ready but some of my BM's where not

Leave as much time as you can. My whole day was rushed.

Well I can only give you my timeframe based on me and my Mom -- since I only had 2 girls in my wedding party and they didn't have their hair/makeup done at the hotel with me and Mom.

The hair/makup girls got to my hotel at 9:00 am. My mom's makeup was done while I was getting my hair done. Then I had my makeup done and was ready, tiara and veil in place , by 10am for my 1pm ceremony !

Photogs arrived 10:15 for pre-wedding shots, and we left the hotel for the church by 12:15 for our 25 min drive to the church (though we took a lot of pics as we were leaving the hotel and it allowed for our photogs to arrive at the church a bit earlier than us to set up, etc....

I allowed MORE than enough time and honestly was just sitting around a whole lot all made up! However I rather have done it that way than been rushed , for my mental sanity

With a big bridal party allow yourselves PLENTY of time so you aren't rushed!

Good Luck

ETA: your timeframe sounds perfect and allows for plenty of time for getting ready photos, etc. 2 and 1/2 hours is a good amount of picture taking time