Destination Weddings · Wedding Tip
Build breathing room into destination wedding preparations
Separate the ready-by time from portrait time, and allow for moving around an unfamiliar venue.
Watch Robert’s advice
Getting-ready time advice by Robert Evans
Robert recommends a ready-by time one hour ahead of photography. For a destination wedding, coordinate that buffer openly with your planner and beauty team, including time to dress and reach the portrait location.
Original wedding advice video, with destination-focused written guidance below.
In my book and video, I suggest a hair-and-makeup ready-by time one hour before the agreed photography start. For your destination wedding, make that buffer an explicit part of the shared plan with your beauty team and planner. Everyone can work toward the same goal without confusion.
Include the journey to the photographs
Allow for getting dressed, touch-ups, and moving from your suite to the portrait location. A large resort or separate villa can add time even when everything is technically at the same venue. Review the actual route with your planner.
For family and wedding-party portraits, my existing advice is to ask people to arrive 30–45 minutes beforehand, dressed and ready. Give them a precise meeting place and explain both the arrival time and photo time. A comfortable buffer should help the group settle in, not leave people waiting without knowing why.