A Glimpse of a Wedding Day at Bear Brook Valley
Curious what a wedding day at Bear Brook Valley looks like? From getting ready to the ceremony and reception, we're going to walk you through a typical wedding day at Bear Brook Valley!
Hana Photos
The Morning
If you're having your wedding ceremony onsite, the getting ready suites are included! You and your wedding parties will have two private spaces to get ready in— the Silo Suite and the Woodford Lounge.
Arrive at Silo Suite
The Silo Suite includes a 9am arrival. You, your wedding party, and your glam team will be greeted by the suite attendant who will help you get settled in. There will be mimosas and breakfast ready for you upon arrival. Now is the perfect time to hang up your dresses, turn on the music, and start getting your hair and makeup done!
Once your photographer arrives, they’ll begin taking details and getting ready photos.
Arrive at the Woodford Lounge
Included with an onsite ceremony, the Woodford Lounge opens 6 hours before the ceremony start time. Spend the day playing games, enjoying the open bar and fresh lunch, and getting ready with your closest people.
Once your photographer arrives, you’ll begin taking getting ready photos.
Photos and First Look
Now is the time that you'll take photos with your respective wedding parties in the suites or around the grounds. This is also typically the time where you will do a first look with your wedding party or parents.
First Look
If you are doing a first look, that is the next part for you! If you're skipping the first look and waiting to see each other for the first time at the ceremony, then you'll have more time for hair and makeup, as well as wedding party photos.
Couple Portraits
After the first look, you'll go into couples’ portraits. Meanwhile, the Bear Brook Valley coordinators run a ceremony rehearsal with your wedding party. If you aren't doing a first look, you will do portraits right after your ceremony.
Wedding Party Portraits
Following your first look and couples' portraits, your wedding party will meet you to take group photos. Again, if you opt for traditionally seeing each other down the aisle first, you will take these after ceremony during the beginning of cocktail hour.
If you are on schedule with the day's timeline, you will have about 30 minutes to an hour to relax before the ceremony starts. The guests typically start to arrive about 15 - 30 minutes before the ceremony start time. They’ll enjoy a glass of champagne while we begin lining the wedding party up.
Find ceremony processional order samples here!
Cocktail Hour
You did it; you're officially married! Now is the time to get all of your photos done if you haven't already. Many couples choose to have a private cocktail hour where they enjoy cocktail hour food and drinks in the suite by themselves before joining the party. This is also a good time to bustle your dress!
Reception
Time to party! The hour and a half cocktail hour will wrap up and guests will be sent to their tables in the ballroom. While guests are finding their seats and placing their dinner orders, you and your wedding party will line up for intros! Once you and your wedding party are introduced, you'll go right into your first dance, followed by any other dances and speeches you choose to include. The rest of the night is open for dinner, dancing, and dessert!
For detailed wedding day timelines, check out our other blog posts!
See what real weddings look like at Bear Brook Valley, by following along on Instagram!