Weddings are fantastic! Weddings are romantic! Weddings are celebrations! And yes, weddings are exhausting! With all your attention on getting everything done in time for your wedding, it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. As a bride or groom, you want to be at your best on your wedding day—and your honeymoon. I have seen my fair share of couples who are so burned out by their wedding day that they can barely stand on two-feet during their first dance. Conceptually your big day is your chance to be king or queen for the day. Sure you get to have your way like royalty, but you often don’t get the pampering of a king or queen. So here are some suggestions to get the self-care you deserve.
♥ Take the week before your wedding off from work—not just the week after. I know this is not easy because of money concerns and work obligations, but it is amazing what that extra time will do for your happiness. Plan fun activities with your fiancé/fiancée, besties and family.
♥ Take a spa day. If you can’t take the whole week off, at least take a complete day off for pampering. Even if you do take the whole week, make sure that one of those days you aren’t running around with chores. Schedule a full-out spa day with massages, facials and whatever will relax you. Make this separate from your mani-pedi day with your bridesmaids or groomsmen.
♥ Take deep breaths. This is a great self-care activity for everyone and anyone at any moment in time. Feeling anxious just before the ceremony? Take some deep breaths. Need to calm yourself when Uncle Jim gets a bit too rambunctious at the party? Take some deep breaths. Repeat as needed.
♥ Take a time out immediately after the ceremony. In all likelihood your wedding venue will have a room that you can call your own for some down time. Take a half hour to relax, eat some food and just be together alone before stepping into your reception. Get in plenty of kisses.
♥ Take a break throughout the reception. Having some alone or couple time during the busy reception is a wonderful way to care for yourself, especially if you are an introvert. Regroup, refresh and then go back to the festivities.
♥ Take a day at home after your honeymoon. When you plan your honeymoon (also see Tips For A Relaxing Honeymoon), schedule in a day or more at home before you have any work or other obligations. Weddings take a lot of energy and so does travel, so get the down time you need before returning to the “regular” world.
Making sure that you are mentally and physically in tip-top shape for your wedding is really important. I urge you to build in self-care so that you fully enjoy all the wondrous aspects of your big day.
XOXO Rachel
Wondrance 