Your wedding is a day that you’ve likely envisioned since the moment you discovered fairy tales. It’s a day that embodies the meaning of promise, commitment, and love. It’s a day that’s all about you and your future together.
With that said, there’s a peculiar stress that only comes with preparing for the moment you say “I do.” From the life-altering moment of the proposal, there’s a frenzy that sets you off running: how many guests do I invite? What is the ideal setting for honoring both of our traditions? Where on earth am I going to find the perfect dress?
With so much to get just right, there’s bound to be a few details that slip through the cracks. There’s a lot that goes into the preparations for your big day–maybe even more than you expected! Instead of getting overwhelmed and missing some important steps, here are the top five things you can’t forget when it comes to planning your dream wedding.
5. Schedule hair & makeup trials
You already know that hair and makeup is at the top of your list. It’s a plan usually set into motion once you’ve found your dress to ensure that the look is cohesive and flows well together. Keep in mind the prospective venue and date of the wedding as well–whether you’re inside a church or on a hot, sandy beach will have a big impact on your ultimate beauty look.
Most brides, however, underestimate the amount of time it takes to get just right. While one usually has an ideal look in mind, it might reflect quite differently once it’s presented to you in real life. In order to ensure a style that you’re happy with (and one that you’ll look back on fondly through photographs for years to come), consider making hair & makeup trial appointments as early as six months in advance.
Smith & Cult Beauty Ambassador Elena Miglino told BRIDES how important it is to do your own research when it comes to beauty. “Bridal makeup artists book up months, sometimes a year in advance,” she said. “When choosing your artist, you want to make sure she is a bridal makeup artist, meaning she does weddings and understands the severity of the day. Make sure she has a contract and is 100 percent professional.”
Photo via iStock
4. Meet with a personal trainer & nutritionist
“I wanted to look like a movie star.” That’s why Houston bride Laurie Collmer found herself a personal trainer and nutritionist for several one-on-one sessions per week in anticipation of her wedding day.
When you’re in the spotlight in front of dozens of friends and family, some pressure is to be expected–who doesn’t want to look their absolute best while surrounded by everyone they love? Many brides are seeking out personal trainers who aim to perfect their bodies for the big day.
With that said, finding someone who’s willing to work around your needs doesn’t come cheap–in fact, the average trainer comes with a price tag of $70+ per session according to Thumbtack. It’s an investment that you’re sure to see reflected tenfold on your body as well as your own inner self-confidence.
Not only is seeking a personal trainer a good option for brides hoping to look and feel their best, but it’s a pretty solid security blanket, too. Having someone to keep you in check will ensure that your wedding dress measurements are as accurate as they were when you purchased it.
If you’re on a tight budget or short on time but still want to look your best, consider starting a new diet to get you on the right track. Many nutritionists and celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian praise the benefits and results of a low carb diet. Incorporate a new diet change with exercise and you’ll find yourself feeling your best in no time.
Most, if not all, brides can agree the work put into keeping your body fit is well worth it. “I was so proud at my wedding,” said Kelly Hall of San Francisco. “I was in the best shape ever. And when I feel good inside, and I feel good about how I look, I’m a completely different person.”
Photo via iStock
3. Consider a skin exfoliating treatment for your best skin forward
There is nothing a bride wants more than the moment the veil is lifted up to reveal healthy, glowing skin.
It’s more than makeup–it’s deeper than the type of foundation. Your skin is one of the initial things people will notice of you and you want it to feel, and look, it’s absolute best.
Consider a gentle skin-resurfacing treatment that “combines exfoliation, extraction and an infusion of special serums to improve your skin’s health and appearance.” It’s a process that consists of 5-8 treatments every 2-4 weeks.
Taking care of your skin is an essential step towards feeling like the ultimate version of yourself on your big day. Make a youthful, stunning glow your best accessory.
2. Meet your dentist for a teeth whitening
Your wedding is a day where you’ll be smiling a lot – a smile captured in every photograph, a memory for years to come. Why not make sure your teeth are as white as can be?
Most bridal advisors recommend this to be done two weeks in advance, with enough room for touch ups if need be. If you’re a bride on a budget, Bridal Musings recommends Crest 3D White Glamorous White Whitestrips that will perfect your smile without breaking the bank.
At this point, try not to get overwhelmed with the physical changes and remember that all of this is not the point–after all, your beloved loves you for you.
1.Get a massage
With the constant mayhem that comes with wedding planning, there is one thing you deserve above all: a massage.
You may not realize it, but a massage treatment can really help take some weight off your shoulders and make you feel at ease walking down the aisle. There’s no reason why you should hold onto all the tension in your body–instead, make some room in your calendar to shed it at the spa beforehand.
With this in mind, your wedding is bound to be the day where your deepest dreams, values and desires come together as one.