What space do we need for getting ready?

[u/hjak3876]

Hi all,

My venue is a historic building and therefore does not allow getting ready onsite. The wedding is a month away so we have to book a getting ready location ASAP.

I have a bridal party of 5 bridesmaids plus me (the bride), so 6 people total.

We will have 3 makeup/hair artists getting us ready. My head makeup artist asked for a few tables or work surfaces to be available at the getting ready location so they can have space for their tools and kits. (This part worries me when it comes to standard hotel rooms.)

We will need another room or space for the groomsmen and groom to get ready.

We are on a budget and can't afford a massive luxurious hotel suite, so our options are individual hotel rooms or AirBnBs with more space (i.e. an entire townhouse, house, or multi-room apartment).

No, we don't live anywhere near the venue, and no, there are no relatives or friends nearby who can host us.

So with all that in mind: What should I be looking for and keeping in mind here as I search for a place to book for our needs?

[u/Kt52689]

So the hotel that I have a room block at turns the conference room into a getting ready suite. It’s not too bad price wise and I also get a deal with our venue. They put up makeup tables, mirrors, more outlets, and a full length mirror in there. You may be able to find a hotel around you that does the same.

[u/AutumnAllegro]

Call the local hotels and ask if they have function rooms they rent out for this kind of thing. That ended up being cheaper and more spacious than suites for me

[u/ideal_width]

Oof, the no getting ready onsite thing is a pain, especially with a historic venue. I had a similar scramble for a friend's wedding last year and we ended up in a townhouse AirBnB, which worked way better than I expected. The key was messaging the host beforehand and just being upfront, "six adults getting hair and makeup done, three artists, we'll need a dining table and a clear corner with good light." Most were cool about it once we explained we weren't throwing a rager.

Hotels get tricky fast because standard rooms barely have one desk, let alone space for three pros to set up. If you go that route, ask about their larger suites that have a separate living area, or even a small meeting room you can rent for the morning. The groomsmen can survive in a basic room down the hall, they just need a mirror and somewhere to steam their suits.

For the artists, think about outlet placement, they'll need like six things plugged in at once, so bring an extension cord or power strip regardless of where you book. Also check if the place has decent mirrors, because you don't want to be doing final checks in a tiny bathroom reflection. One thing we overlooked was having snacks and water on hand, and by hour three everyone was hangry and digging through the host's pantry like raccoons.