When Hair and Makeup Runs Late: How To Protect the Timeline: Dear Devlin

Dear Devlin,

I am writing to you the morning after what should have been an incredibly beautiful wedding, still reeling from the shock of how terribly things went off course. The couple was wonderful, the guests were lovely, the castle venue was stunning, and we were even blessed with glorious sunshine after a week of relentless rain.

I struggled with how to soften this message, but perhaps the dry truth is best: the hair and makeup team delayed the bride by three full hours – a glaring anti-record in my career. They began at 8:00 AM and didn’t finish until exactly 3:30 PM, for a 4:00 PM ceremony.

They were an undeniably fun and positive duo working with the bride and three bridesmaids. I always gently remind hair and makeup teams of the timeline, and I am certain they knew exactly when they needed to finish. Yet, every time I tried to delicately hurry them along (perhaps I should have been firmer?), I was met with laughter and more pouring of prosecco. I am entirely in favor of a celebratory glass, but perhaps after the professional duties are fulfilled.

Ultimately, I had to give up. It was the wedding planner and venue staff who eventually had to step in and pull them away as they lingered to shoot behind-the-scenes content on their phones with the finished bridal look.

I am not looking to point fingers, but the extensive shot list of natural, unposed, and relaxed family portraits had to be executed in a frantic 15 minutes. It was nothing close to what the bride and I had envisioned. The ceremony was pushed back by half an hour, leading straight into speeches and dinner. The carefully planned timeline completely collapsed. The gorgeous castle grounds, the beautiful light, and the clear skies were gone by 5:00 PM in mid-March. And sadly, so was the relaxed, joyous mood of the couple-and my own.

I feel utterly disappointed. While this is an extreme case, I see a growing, unsettling trend. In their desire to bond with the bride, secure attention, and leave a lasting impression, some hair and makeup artists are crossing professional boundaries. Lingering over prosecco for half an hour, singing praises to the bridal party, working at a leisurely pace, and prioritising their own social media content – they seem to forget that the morning is shared among the entire vendor team.

Those quiet, emotional morning photographs with a mother or bridesmaids are arguably more important than extended casual chats with the glam team. By striving so hard to be the bride’s best friend on the morning, they inadvertently sabotage the rest of the team, especially the photographer and the venue.

I have always believed we are one cohesive team working for the couple’s benefit, but yesterday severely tested that belief. I know this topic is rarely discussed openly, but I am witnessing a growing disconnect where some vendors fail to grasp their primary tasks and how they fit into the bigger picture. I don’t believe it’s my role to play the “bad cop,” constantly policing stolen time.

I am reaching out to you and the collective wisdom of our community for advice. How do you protect yourselves and your couples from these situations? Do you have strict clauses in your contracts specifying the exact time required for the photographer in the morning for those relaxed portraits (which certainly cannot be done in a rushed two minutes)? Do you have a prepared speech for other vendors about the importance of everyone fulfilling their roles efficiently? I would deeply appreciate any real-life experiences or practical advice to help me find my footing again after yesterday.

Slightly Disappointed Photographer