October 27, 2026

Lake Bled Wedding Morning: A Hair and Makeup Timeline That Works

When to start, who goes first, and how much time to leave for the drive, with a sample timeline for a noon ceremony.

The couple on the lakeside terrace, a bottle of champagne on the balustrade

The calmest wedding mornings are the ones planned backwards: from the moment you leave for the ceremony back to the moment I arrive. Here is how I plan it, with a sample timeline you can adapt.

Every timeline is personal

I plan your morning around one moment: when you need to be ready for the photographer. From there it depends on how many people we do, and whether I do your hair as well as your makeup, which takes a little longer because one person does both. For big bridal parties, my team of assistants and makeup artists works alongside me.

Black and white wide shot of the getting-ready apartment with the makeup station by the window

An example: ceremony at 12:00 in Bled

06:30 I arrive and set up by the window.
07:00 First bridesmaid.
07:45 Second bridesmaid.
08:15 Mother of the bride.
08:45 Bride: makeup, then hair.
10:00 Groom, quick and natural, in a separate room.
10:15 Bride gets dressed, photographer takes getting-ready portraits.
10:45 Final touches, veil, lip kit in the bag.
11:00 Leave for the ceremony, with an hour of buffer for traffic.

The bride goes last on purpose: her makeup is the freshest when the ceremony starts, and she can relax while everyone else gets ready.

Izidora doing makeup for a guest in a pink robe, the kit laid out on a table by the window

Izidora applying makeup to the groom in his white shirt and bow tie

Leave a buffer for the drive

Around Lake Bled in summer, a ten-minute drive can take much longer: tourist traffic, parking, closed roads for events. Leave a full hour of buffer for getting there. If you get ready close to your venue, you gain the most calm.

The bride stepping out of the wedding car with her bouquet

Portraits after the ceremony

Many couples go to the castle or a lakeside terrace for portraits after the ceremony. Midday light is strong, so I keep shine under control and leave you with what you need for a quick touch-up.

Black and white photo of the couple on a castle terrace above Lake Bled

The bride and groom with two guests on the lakeside terrace

Want your own timeline? Use my free wedding morning timeline calculator: enter your ceremony time and who needs hair and makeup.

Questions

What time should bridal makeup start?+

We count backwards from when you need to be ready for the photographer, depending on how many people we do and whether I do your hair too, plus an hour of buffer for traffic.

Should the bride go first or last?+

Last. Her makeup is freshest at the ceremony and she has time to relax first.

Can the photographer come during makeup?+

Yes. The last half hour of the bride's makeup and getting dressed is perfect for getting-ready photos.

Want me to plan your morning? Send me your ceremony time and the number of people and you get a timeline from me.