If you’re getting married at Doddington Hall, our friends at Elizabeth Kate Bridal have created a handy guide to ensure you have the perfect wedding morning.
Styling brides since 2017, Elizabeth Kate Bridal is a family-run boutique based in Crowle, North Lincolnshire. Rather than focusing on the sale, the dedicated team here are devoted to ensuring that every bride feels confident and beautiful on their wedding day. Whether you’ve got a clear vision in mind or no idea where to start, the team will use their expertise to guide you to the dress of your dreams.
With years of experience under their garter belt, Elizabeth Kate Bridal know what the perfect wedding morning looks like. If you’re preparing to say your ‘I dos’, use this timeline for a stress-free start to your day.
Your wedding morning is the calm before the most magical moment, the moment you step into your gown and everything finally feels real. At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, we’ve helped hundreds of brides prepare for this memorable experience.
As your bridal “fairy dress mothers,” we know that a carefully planned, dress-led timeline is the secret to a smooth, emotional and stress-free start to your day. We love working alongside wonderful venues like Doddington Hall to ensure that every moment of your morning is perfect.
The venue coordinator will be your ally on the morning of your wedding. At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, when we attend wedding fairs and open days at local venues, we always encourage brides to ask:
All of these small details make the dress preparation seamless. Venues who understand the gown timeline can help to create a relaxing environment for you and your bridal party.
At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, we strongly recommend you steam your gown the night before, using the following steps:
These small steps will prevent any last-minute moisture marks or fabric shine, ensuring the dress is ready to simply step into the next day – no one should be rushing around your dress on the big day!
On the morning of your wedding, the key to getting ready is to work backwards. To work out an appropriate and relaxed timeline, start with your ceremony time. For a 2pm service, we recommend you are fully dressed by 12.30pm. Following this schedule will allow time for:
7:00am: Rise gently and prepare your body for the dress
Start your day slowly, you want to feel rested and radiant in your gown. We recommend eating a light breakfast such as fruit, eggs, or toast and keep hydrated. Avoid salty foods and excessive caffeine.
Dress Expert Tip: Don’t put your shapewear on too early, it can roll or dig in if worn for hours before dressing. Keep it next to your dress ready for later.
8.00am: Hair and make-up
When it comes to getting ready, it’s best to wear a robe, a button-down shirt or something that won’t disturb your hair or makeup when it’s time to change.
In terms of timings, this is where the dress experts insist on one crucial change from the norm. When it comes to the order of people getting ready, the bride should go in the middle, never last. If timings run over, this means it won’t be the bride who gets rushed. Rushing leads to makeup transfer, tugging, sweating and panicked dressing. Getting ready in the middle means calm, unhurried gown moments, with plenty of time for touch-ups at the end.
Ideal order for getting ready:
Whilst others are having hair and makeup done now’s the time to plan your exit from the bridal suite.
11.00am: Refreshments and final dress check
While everyone enjoys a snack and a drink before you set off, give your dress a final visual check, it should be hanging perfectly from last night’s steam.
It’s important to remember that big dresses and long trains need doorway clearance and smooth surfaces. Before you put your dress on, walk through the room to make sure there are no obstacles or tight corners that might catch your gown.
11:30am: Gown photography and details
Before you step into your dress, create a beautiful space for your photographer. To capture the perfect gown photos, we recommend:
12:00pm: The dressing moment
Before you get ready, have a quiet moment to take in the beauty of your dress on your own. You should allow at least half an hour to get dressed, and this is where the magic truly begins.
The order of dressing should be as follows:
Fastening times will vary depending on the style of your dress. You will need to allow 10-15 minutes for buttons, 15-20 minutes for corset backs. Fitted crepe styles will need to be handled carefully to avoid finger marks
Once your dress is fastened, you will need to check the following:
Your veil should always go on after the dress has settled. This prevents snags and makes sure it sits perfectly balanced.
12:30pm: Portraits, first looks and final checks
Now that you’re dressed, take time to enjoy:
1:00pm: Calm before the ceremony
It’s time! You’re picture-perfect, comfortable, and ready. Use these final moments to:
As you prepare to depart, it is important to check that all of your buttons are secure, the train is smooth, the veil is anchored firmly, and your bodice and waistlines are sitting perfectly. This is also your final chance to take a pause before you step into the next chapter of your life.
Every Elizabeth Kate bride takes home a real, practical emergency kit containing:
Between this kit and your bridesmaids, you’ll be prepared for anything!
Your wedding morning is where the magic blooms. It’s where you see yourself fully dressed for the first time. Where your loved ones cry, laugh, and fluff your train. Where you finally become the bride you’ve dreamed of being.
And here’s what we want every bride to remember. Let the morning unfold gently around you. Something small might go off plan, and that’s okay. Take your time in your dress; savour the moment.
At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, we’re honoured to be part of yor story, from the moment you say “yes to the dress” to the moment you step into it on the most unforgettable day of your life.
Here’s to your wedding morning being as beautiful, calm and magical as the marriage that follows.
