by: Christie A. Brogan {1.29.18}
New Year. Newly engaged! Let the preparations begin…
You don’t have to be engaged to know that there’s a lot of prep and planning that goes into your wedding day. It’s not all about menus, flowers, the guest list, and all of the other items on your Post-Engagement Checklist. It’s also about you and discovering your overall personal best. (This goes for both brides and grooms.) Today, we’ve compiled 5 Quick (those less-talked-about, but no less important) Tips to look and feel your very best on your wedding day.
#1 The 411 on Hair Prep
Great wedding day hairstyles start with healthy, strong hair. As a bride, you probably have an idea of how you want to wear your hair so now is the time to start taking steps to ensure it’s health. Multi-vitamins and pre-natal vitamins are known to help grow and strengthen hair. And, of course, there’s always help from modern science with affordable hair care products. Once you decide on “the do” for the big day, it’s always a good idea to have a trial run on hair and makeup. After all, you don’t want to be the bride who feels anything other comfortable in her own skin because your hair and makeup makes you feel like a trampy 12-year old school girl. (True story…I have been witness to more than one bride pulling her hair out – literally – because in her mind it was a #hairandmakeupfail. Don’t be her.) For the groom, you might encounter different challenges. Even if something as simple as maintaining the same classic hairstyle, it’s still important to make sure your hair is going to be healthy and wedding-day ready. Be proactive. Check for signs of balding and take steps with products like hair loss vitamins or a regrowth options from companies like Monat.
#2 The Skinny on Skincare
When the Big Day is over the wedding photos and video are the memories that will remain which is why it’s also important to make sure you’re taking care of your skin on the months leading up to your aisle debut. Nobody wants to contend with last-minute breakouts, bumps and other skin reactions. Be proactive (are you starting to see a pattern?). Schedule a facial. If you have the means…make the facial a regular “to-do” in the months leading up to your wedding date. Get serious about your at-home skin care. And, hydrate! These tips go for both guys and gals. Healthy, glowing skin makes it easy to step in front of the cameras with confidence.
#3 The Fit Test
From barre classes to boot camps to “shedding for the wedding”, the goal (especially for the ladies) always seems to be “lose weight. But let’s be honest…the guy or girl you’re marrying proposed knowing exactly what you look like (naked…in most cases) and, chances are there was no addendum to the proposal about “Will you marry me? As long as you lose a few lbs before May.” A better goal is for your overall health and fitness. As you take the next step in your life, you want to be fit, healthy and at your best. Pay attention to what you’re putting into your body and exercise frequently. Find an exercise class or activity you LOVE (so you’ll stick with it) or – better yet – work out together. No matter how much weight you lose (or don’t lose) you will feel better with all those extra endorphins. Exercise also helps offset the wedding planning stress that even the most seasoned wedding pro endures (Truth…speaking from 1st hand experience here.)
#4 Diet (as in the noun, not the verb)
There’s really no better time than now (i.e., wedding date set) to start living the healthy diet you’re always talking about, but never actually do. To be clear we are using “diet” as a noun – meaning a way of life, not the verb – aka. crash course in no carbs. Most the experts today share the opinion that there is no one-size fits all diet for our bodies. Figure out what works for you and commit to the changes required…just the same as you are committing to your “soon-to-be” other half and your happily ever after together.
#5 Meditate on Overall Health
As you dive into dates, guest lists, celebratory parties, meetings with vendors and all other wedding details, it can be easy to overlook your health and get smothered with stress. Make sure you’re at your best by paying attention to what your body is telling you. Make time to meditate even if that’s only 15 minutes a day.
Keep in touch with the 128 South blog for more tips, advice and inspiration on all-things wedding!
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Christie Brogan {Founder of SocietyWed. Co-Founder & Partner – 128 South and Bakery 105 in Wilmington, NC. Entrepreneur, Small Business Mentor, Event Planner, Wedding Geek, Writer, Business Innovator, Idea Maker, Boot Camp Betty, Yoga Nut, Animal Lover, Avid Reader}