Beauty & Wellness
Beauty & Wellness
Amid all the planning, it’s easy to put self-care on the back burner. Here are some beauty and wellness tips to keep you feeling your best leading up to and on the big day:
Hair & Makeup Trial: We can’t stress this enough – do a trial run with your hair stylist and makeup artist. This is your chance to refine your look. Be honest during the trial if something isn’t how you envisioned. It’s so much better to adjust style or lip color then, rather than on the wedding day when time is tight. Bring inspiration photos, but also be open to the artist’s suggestions for what flatters you. Once you settle on a look, you’ll feel much more relaxed knowing exactly how you’ll look in photos. Bonus tip: plan a fun date or your bridal shower on trial day – you’ll already be dolled up!
Sleep & Rest: The weeks leading into the wedding can be hectic, but try to prioritize sleep. No amount of concealer hides genuine exhaustion as well as a good night’s sleep. In the last week, especially, aim for 7-8 hours a night. If nervous thoughts keep you up, consider natural sleep aids like a lavender pillow spray or chamomile tea in the evening. And don’t feel guilty taking the occasional nap or saying no to late-night outings during wedding week. Rested = radiant.
Hydrate & Eat Well: It’s almost cliché, but it’s true – drink plenty of water and eat balanced meals in the lead-up. Hydration keeps your skin clear and glowing, and a nutritious diet (lots of fruits, veggies, lean protein) will keep you feeling energetic. We’re not saying you need to diet (please don’t do any crash diets!) – just maintain your normal healthy eating so you feel great. And on the wedding day itself, do not skip meals. We’ll remind you to eat breakfast and lunch (we often see brides running on only adrenaline and a granola bar – not a good idea before champagne and dancing!). Plan with your caterer or family to have some light bites for the bridal party while getting ready. You’ll feel so much better throughout the day if you’ve had some sustenance.
Stress Management: Wedding planning can be stressful, especially as the day nears. Find a stress-relief activity that works for you and stick with it. Maybe it’s a yoga class on Thursday nights, or a quick jog in the mornings, or simply a 5-minute meditation using an app like Headspace. Even taking an evening off from wedding tasks to watch a movie with your fiancé can recharge you. You’ve both worked hard; schedule a date night with a “no wedding talk” rule as you get close to the day. It helps remind you why you’re doing all this.
Emergency Kit: This is more practical than wellness, but knowing you’re prepared helps you feel calmer. Put together a little day-of emergency kit: mints, pain reliever (Advil/Tylenol), antacid, sewing kit, safety pins, tampons, deodorant, a razor, band-aids, etc. We often have many of these items on hand too (in fact, couples often forget things like perfume or cufflinks, and we usually have spares). But having your own stocked kit ensures that if you need a blotting paper or a snack, it’s right there. Also include things like an extra copy of your vows, phone charger, and the rings (can’t forget those!). Being prepared = peace of mind.
Above all, give yourself grace. You might get a pimple the day before (stress hormones, argh) – it’s okay, our makeup artist will handle it. You might find your nerves are higher than expected – totally normal; talk to someone who can reassure you or let out a good cry (happy tears!).
On the morning of your wedding, pause and breathe. Do a quick mindfulness exercise: inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, noticing the excitement rather than the stress. You’re marrying the love of your life and that’s the most beautiful thing of all – that joy will outshine any tiny imperfections.
Take care of yourself; you deserve it!