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Not only is fall is one of the most beautiful times to tie the knot, it’s also one of the most popular. Plenty of couples are saying “I do,” just as the leaves start falling from the trees. If you are a bride or groom planning to get married this season, it’s likely you’re feeling a range of emotions. Between wedding-centric appointments and the chaos of everyday life, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. Below, we’re sharing a few tips on some self-care centered wedding prep that will help ensure you and your spouse are looking and feeling your best when your big day rolls around.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule
At times, prepping for the big day can feel like a full time job. It’s likely many couples will have already put in an eight plus hour work day only to come home and turn on their wedding planning brains. If you’re a bride or groom who’s super into DIY and plan to spend countless hours staying up to ensure every detail is perfect right down to the welcome bags for guests, keep in mind that depriving yourself of the proper amount of sleep is only going to hurt you in the long run both mentally and physically. Mentally, sleep deprivation can cause moodiness, fatigue, and irritability, all of which you do not want to experience ever, let alone in the days leading up to your wedding. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times of your life and you want to look back and remember it that way! Physically, not getting enough sleep may result in unwanted acne breakouts, dark circles, and in some instances your weight may even fluctuate.
In order to win the fight against sleep deprivation, make an effort to establish a sleep schedule in the months leading up to the wedding, that way your body will get accustomed to going to sleep each night and waking up each morning around the same time. You will also want to establish a beauty/grooming routine based on your needs. If you have acne prone skin, consider an AM/PM treatment to clear up any existing blemishes and prevent more from popping up. Taking these matters into your own hands in order to be preventative will only make for a more enjoyable, stress-free wedding day!
Fit in Some Physical Activity
One of the biggest mistakes couples make while planning a wedding is not allowing themselves an outlet to release their stress. While you may not have time to hit the gym everyday, engaging in some sort of physical activity is a proven way to de-stress. Whether its taking a walk around your neighborhood, attending a weekly HIIT class, or streaming a 30 minute exercise video in your living room, getting your heart rate up will literally help you sweat out the stress.
Exercise has a range of benefits that stretch far beyond just losing weight or gaining a six-pack. Physical activity accelerates the production of endorphins, also known as your brain’s feel good neurotransmitters, meaning when you exercise, you will actually feel happy. Having a bad day? Wedding planning have you feeling at your wits end? Try bike ride along your favorite canal to check out the fall foliage or a quick game of tennis with your partner or a friend. The endorphins released from these activities will be enough to help you forget about what’s troubling you and even keep you feeling optimistic throughout the remainder of your day.
Bonus tip: Sweating for the wedding will not only melt away the stress but can also leave you feeling dehydrated. Be sure to replenish those fluids with plenty of water before, during and after your workouts. Plus, drinking the daily recommended amount of water improves brain function and keeps skin looking clear and healthy. If you or your partner struggle with water intake, consider purchasing a motivational bottle like the one shown here. Make it a friendly competition between the two of you and you’ll be sure to look and feel good when the big day rolls around!
Think Outside the Wedding
While planning your wedding may be a high priority in the months leading up, during this time, it’s crucial for you and your partner to make time for one another. Thinking outside the wedding “box” is essential as your wedding will be one day, but your relationship will be a lifetime. Putting your relationship in the forefront is a must and participating is some non-wedding related activities may help you put things into perspective. It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos that is wedding planning, but taking a step back from the planning to spend quality time with your partner will remind you what the day is actually about.
Whether it’s a special weekend away, a day trip to your favorite vineyard, or even cooking dinner at home and binging your favorite television series, this time together is much needed in the days leading up to your wedding and may even strengthen your bond and the love you have for each other.
No matter which season you choose, getting married can be an exciting, scary, and stressful time in your life. From selecting a destination, choosing a photographer, creating a guest list and everything that pops up in between, you will be faced with many decisions. The main thing to remember is that it’s a day for you and your partner to declare your love for one another in front of those who mean the most to you. In order to get there, however, it’s essential that you take care of one another mentally and physically in the days leading up.
Guest Author for Citlalli Rico Photography