For Brides: Keep Your Game Face On
By Sarah Carlos
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, but let’s face it, the whole affair can be quite exhausting. The drinking, rushing from one social event to the next, catching up with friends, spending time with relatives, tending to bridesmaids, and making sure the in-laws are on good terms can wear a bride-to-be out! Here are five ways to make sure your walk down the aisle is everything you hoped it would be.
I know that bachelorette parties are a lot of fun, and a great way to spend time with your girls. But the weekend of your wedding is not the time or the place to being going buck wild. Unfortunately, you will go into the experience, completely oblivious as to what awaits you; therefore, you will have no control over the situation and will feel obligated to let your hair down, drink more than you normally would and get a little crazy. I mean, they have gone through all of this trouble, so I may as well have a good time, right? Wrong. You will most likely wake up the next morning dehydrated, exhausted, and late to the first pre-wedding party. Agree to have a bachelorette party, but make sure you request for it to occur several weeks before the wedding weekend. If some of your bridesmaids live out of town and can’t make it, you can celebrate with them on the day of the wedding.
It seems a little obvious to get sleep the weekend of your wedding, but you would be surprised at how many brides don’t take care of themselves because they are too nervous and caught up in the details. If you have increased anxiety or feel tension built up, go exercise at your local fitness center during the day or several hours before you go to sleep. (Exercising less than two hours before you hit the hay can hinder sleep, so allow enough time beforehand.) Exercising will allow you to burn off steam and will guarantee a good night’s sleep. If you are still having trouble, make some hot chocolate or herbal tea and curl up with a good book before falling asleep. Even the smallest comforts can make a big difference.
3. Value the importance of alone time
This is a very big and important time in your life, so everyone should understand your need for some peace and quiet. Choose a quiet place for your escape. (Obviously relatives’ homes or where your bridesmaids are staying are out of the question.) Allow yourself at least and hour every day to reflect and recharge so you are peaceful and enthusiastic about the weekend. This could be reading a book, going for a walk, or staring off into space – anything that puts your mind away from the wedding and lets you enjoy yourself.
Drinking water is one of the most important things you can do for yourself the weekend of your wedding. You are attending brunch after brunch, you aren’t sleeping because of nerves or the obligation to socialize, and often instead of reaching for a cold glass of H20, you are grabbing an ice cold beer to take the edge off. I get it. But all of these practices aren’t helping you; they are making you more and more bloated. Bloating will no doubt make you look puffy and tired on the big day, and may even make it difficult for your mom or maid of honor to zip you up in that expensive dress come game time. No matter what the scenario, remember to drink water the weekend of the wedding. You will thank yourself.
After all, bridesmaids are there because they love you. Yes, you may want to wring some of their necks before the weekend is over, but they are there for you to lean on. They expect you to be nervous, they know you have concerns, and they want to be there for you as much as much as you need their support. Besides, who knows you better than your girls? Plan an afternoon with just your bridesmaids: go to lunch, for a walk, or play some put-put golf. A little QT with your closest friends will alleviate any remaining anxiety you may have and is sure to be a blast and a laugh!
