You’ve said yes and your beautiful forever is about to begin. Your wedding is a moment you are bound to remember forever and the proposal was only the beginning. Planning will involve preparing your heart, mind and body for that big and beautiful day.
Your wedding day isn’t about chasing perfection; but you want to walk into that room feeling comfortable and very much yourself. This kind of confidence usually doesn’t happen overnight but grows with adequate and meticulous preparations.
The questions have probably begun to roll in: What are the first steps to take? What really matters? How far in advance should treatments be done? What do I want? What do I want to look like?
Now is the time to be intentional in your bride’s wedding prep, but no pressure.
Wedding Preparation Is More Than a Checklist
You might be tempted to look at the wedding preparation as just a checklist and you can’t wait to start ticking boxes. However, the most weighty preparations don’t come from just doing everything but from doing things thoughtfully.
Starting your wedding preparation early is the key to a successful party. Taking it step by step allows you to pace yourself and remain calm. There is a lot to be done and you don’t want anything to feel last minute or stressful, especially when it comes to wellness, beauty, and how you want to feel.
The most confident brides make preparation choices that are aligned to who they are and give themselves time to settle into every wedding beauty timeline and preparation details.
Skin Care: Creating a Healthy Glow
The best time to have started your skin care is long before now and the next best time is today. Beautiful skin takes time, consistency and using the right products/treatments. Your bridal skincare plan should include:
● A daily routine that is dermatologist approved.
● Professional treatments, that are needed, are started months in advance
● Addressing concerns like texture, acne and uneven tone early on.
A general rule is that bridal skincare should be gentle and you should use products that have been tested for their safety and efficacy. Starting early gives your skin time to respond to your pre-wedding beauty routines. It also gives time to adjust/change products that don’t suit you.
Remember your skin will be on display that day. You want it looking healthy, balanced and beautiful.
Hair Planning: Confidence Starts at the Crown
Healthy hair always styles better, so it’s advisable to condition your hair regularly, avoid excessive heat, harsh chemicals and also trim your hair when due.
Once you’ve chosen a dress, you should start thinking about your bridal hairstyle because it plays a big role in bringing the whole bridal look together. The neckline and details of the dress often determine whether flowing hair, an up-do or any of the many hairstyles for brides will suit best.
Remember to try your chosen look in advance to prevent unpleasant surprises. Your hairstyle shouldn’t be heavy or painful so that you can truly enjoy the day and also plan for contingencies such as humidity and rain
Body Confidence: Choosing What Feels Right for You
You can look like what you’ve always dreamed you’ll look like on your wedding day. Your wedding is the best motivation you’ll need to achieve your body goals. It just takes time, dedication and patience.
You want to be in the best shape ever so this requires exercising, consistent hydration, healthy diets, and prioritising sleep. Exercises should include cardio workouts like jogging and cycling, strength training like bodyweight squats or dumbbell rows, and flexibility focused exercises like Pilates and yoga.
Some people may find that they’ve reached an impasse and no matter how much they exercise or eat healthy, those stubborn concerns no longer budge. Here, exploring body contouring procedures or other aesthetic treatments might just be the key to achieving that look you want.
A wide range of procedures can help you define your waistline, get rid of loose skin, remove unwanted fat from arms, and make other subtle adjustments to look your best on the big day. These cosmetic procedures have evolved dramatically in the past few years and there are now plenty of minimally invasive options that produce reduced scarring and recovery times.
Still, you should account for each procedure’s recovery timelines when determining if and when to schedule to allow your body enough time to heal and swelling to subside in a way that doesn’t feel rushed. Make sure you do your research and ask the right questions to your doctor about the recovery process during the initial consultation, so that you can make the right decision.
Indeed some aspects of your preparation are more important than others. You can choose to stand out with your intentional skin, hair and body preparations. Arrive on your wedding day feeling refreshed and confident because you took the time to prepare with purpose.
You’ve said yes to the guy, now you are saying yes to what it takes for a successful day.
Written by: Dr. Ayman El-Attar
