Managing the Stress of Your Wedding Planning
by Deborah Ashe
Planning a wedding can be stressful but it's important to keep on top of things, and don't let the small stuff ruin your big day. Here are a few tips to help you feel and look your best at the biggest event of your life.
- Sleep. Get all the sleep that you can. Your hair, skin and face will all benefit from not having to fight the elements and having time to repair themselves whilst you rest. Try soothing tea blends like Chamomile or Lemon Balm.
- Eat well. Not only will this keep you trim for your wedding gown, but it will reflect in the condition of your skin, a glowing healthy bride just radiates beauty. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats.
- Drink lots of water. Those eight glasses a day will rid your body of toxins, clearing up skin issues and adding healthy shine to your hair and nails.
- Timing is everything. Don't leave all your beauty tasks to the last minute. Facial hair removal, leg waxing etc, should be done in advance to give your skin time to recover. You do not want a red irritated skin mustache in all your wedding photos! that goes for the rest of your body too. Silky, hair free legs are a must for the garter removal, but lumpy bumpy legs are not required! Practice with different makeup shades and techniques. Decide whether you need a bold look, or whether your look should be as natural as possible. For a daytime outdoor wedding, for example, bold colors may be a little too much. On the other hand, an indoor, artificially lighted room may call for less subtlety and a bit more oomph! Get someone to take digital pix of you with all your different test runs, and then you can choose at your leisure.
- Play dress up. Practice walking in a gown or clothing wrapped around you to simulate a gown. Put on similar shoes. Practice walking elegantly down a carpet between chairs...that way you will have a feel for the space you take up and the pace you feel comfortable with. Choose music to fit your pace, not pace to fit the music. Say your vows over and over until they flow. Most people panic over the amount of words they have to say. If you know them by heart, it will sail by. It is after all a big show, and you are the stars. Learn your lines, practice your role. Then relax!
- Deborah Ashe is with Reverend Deborah Ashe in Nashua, NH, and has been a WedPlan Member since Mar 2007.
