Self Care and other personal preparations for your wedding day and wedding photos
Self care is super important all the time—but ESPECIALLY when you’re prepping for a wedding.
You are going to want to look your best and feel your best for your big day and for all the photos leading up to it. Here are some simple ways you can take care of you!
Daily habits to work on 6-12 months before the wedding:
Stay hydrated. buy a cute water bottle and keep it with you girl! We all know water is good for us but it will help with clear skin, weight loss, luscious lips, and overall wellness. I like my insulated water bottle and matching tumbler I picked up at target:
I also like to go through the drive through at Chick Fil A and get a medium sized ice water because they have good ice and it makes me feel like I’m getting a fun drink—just when I’m on the go or trying to trick myself into quitting soda.
Skin Care. The skin care routine is one I have struggled with. Make an appointment with a dermatologist if you need to, don’t pick your zits. Look into investing in high quality moisturizers, serums, and toners to help your skin journey towards perfection.
Workout. You don’t have to be a serious gym-goer but your body and your mind will both benefit from having a daily dose of exercise! Even if it’s just going on a walk with your lover each morning, get some time away from wedding planning and give your body some activity! If you really want to go for it, the BBG workout app is awesome, it’s hard, but it’s fairly simple and geared for at-home fitness.
Date nights. Don’t forget the reason for the wedding! Take time to spend with each other where you’re not allowed to talk about wedding plans at all! stay connected and nurture the most important thing—your love!
Moisturize. This goes along with skin care but I think it deserves it’s own line. get some good lotion and lather up from head to toe every night before bed—and if you’re really dedicated, every morning too.
Hair removal. I know its not the most glamorous subject but if you’ve considered hair removal via laser for your wedding day, this is your heads up that it takes TIME. You’ll have to go on monthly visits for about 8 months (or more) to complete the process. If you’re in Utah, I recommend Beauty Lab and Laser!
Hair Growth. Consider reducing the amount of heat you use on your hair; Let it air dry after washes, opt for braids over high buns and ponys to prevent breaking, take hair gummies like Sugar Bear Hair, HUM Hair Sweet Hair, or find Store Brand supplements at places like Costco or Target to help nourish your hair and encourage growth!
1-3 months before the wedding
(or earlier of course if you’d like, add these things in, and keep up the good work on the previously listed items. You’ll likely be taking engagements and bridals in this period, so don’t slack off now! It’s game time!).
Lash Care. Time to start using a serum (if you weren’t already) . It’s amazing how much better you feel when you’ve got long, luscious, lashes. I’ve linked a few of my favorites:
If you have lash extensions, be sure you are going to someone who knows what they’re doing and isn’t damaging your natural lashes. Also invest in and commit to dedicated lash care so your eyes are healthy and clean and looking their very best!
PRO TIP: Grandelash Serum does occasionally go on sale, I got a bottle during amazon prime days for $45, and during that same week it was on sale at Walmart for $38, generally Walmart is a few dollars cheaper on this product than anywhere else I’ve seen.
Skin Care. Keep up all the skin care habits from the 6-12 month period, and now step it up with some facials, at home or at a medical spa.
Make Appointments. This leads into the next section, but you’ll want to schedule your appointments for hair cuts + colors, pre-wedding pedicures and manicures, wedding day makeup and hair styling appointments, Gynecologist appointments, etc.
PRO TIP: make sure your birth control (if you’re taking any— discuss if you’re planning on birth control, and what kind works for you) is working for you, make any necessary changes. Also consider getting a prescription for UTI’s in case you encounter one while on you’re honeymoon.
PRO TIP: If you are trying to grow out your nails, consider getting manicures every 3-4 weeks during this period of time leading up to the wedding—specifically “powder dipped” manicures help protect your natural nails from breaking and chipping so they can grow nice and long for your big day.
Order things. Lingerie, zit zapping patches like these, any makeup products or things you’ll need for your wedding and honeymoon.
Schedule and Take your Engagement and Bridal Photos (Engagements at least 6 weeks before your date and Bridals at least 4 weeks before your wedding date) Plan your outfits, discuss details with your photographer, etc.
PRO TIP: Pick your outfits and send photos of them and send photos of your gown as soon as possible to your photographer to help her help you plan the shoot.
WEDDING WEEK
Yay you made it! Final Countdown!
Keep up the moisturizing, hydrating, and exercising.
Use any zit zapping products as-needed DO NOT PICK YOUR FACE.
Get a manicure + pedicure (may I suggest powder dip nails)
If you’re a Lash Extensions girl, get a fresh fill as close to your wedding day as possible.
Spend time with your lover and your loved ones
Get to bed at a reasonable hour every night this week.
Get a massage, or take a nap if you need to.
Wax everything that needs waxing (if you didn’t get it in the laser hair removal phase of this list)
PRO TIP: I would definitely recommend a bikini/Brazilian wax if you want hair removal in that area. Shaving has fairly quick re-growth and painful stubble, and laser is a bit expensive.
WEDDING DAY’S EVE
Mentally release all the stress of planning, choose to accept whatever comes tomorrow and just enjoy your special day.
Shave your legs, and anything else ( if you opted out of the laser hair removal and the waxing)
double check things are packed up and everything is in order for the wedding day and honeymoon.
Confirm with Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists, and anyone else you’ll be seeing bright and early (if you haven’t already within the last few days)
Get your beauty sleep.