Wedding Tactics

One of the tools I found most useful in planning my own wedding day and in helping a friend with her wedding was to have a time-line of all the chores and tasks and appointments written out with expected time needs. This really helped us plan ahead of time for when we would need to wake up, eat, have the grandparents arrive, etc.

Consider the following activities and how much time they usually take:

2-3 hours: ‘Maids and ‘Moms getting hair and makeup done
1.5 hours: girls putting on dresses/finishing touches (guys getting ready during this time)
35 minutes: group girl pictures
35 minutes: group guy pictures
35-60 minutes: any other shots that would be easier to take before the ceremony
15-20 minutes: all bridal party members should have this time to relax, get a glass of water, touch up make-up, get flowers and corsages pinned on, while ceremony guests arrive and find seats
30 minutes-1 hour: Ceremony
45 minutes: receiving line (although these are not too common anymore)
30-45 minutes: formal pictures with family at the altar/chuppah, this is usually during the cocktail hour
1-1.5 hours: wedding party pics and bride & Groom shots. (if you choose a location that is close to the reception or the ceremony site, that works perfectly!!!) If this is done before the ceremony you will miss a lot less of your reception. I recommend doing it before the ceremony.

Be sure to eat something light and healthy on the morning of the wedding. Also, drink water, enough to avoid feeling dehydrated but not so much that you have to use a bathroom too frequently. Getting that dress on once is hard enough! If you do need a pee-break, ask a gal-pal to help you get your dress up and then down again. Even for the most modest of brides, this is one area where help is really needed.

Every bride knows that her hair must be perfect on her wedding day. Brides all over search websites on their lunch breaks trying to find different styles of curls and straight and updos that will match their style, their dress, and be perfect for that long walk down the aisle. But if only you could see a preview of yourself with all those hairstyles.

Here it is ladies! A virtual-salon right here at your finger tips. Brides (dot com) is offering a virtual try-on studio for your wedding day hair style. All you have to do is upload a photo of yourself, a straight-on head shot with your hair pulled back against a simple white background and then choose different hair and make-up styles without the risk of split ends or a horrifying eyeliner experience.

Regardless of your wedding style, it is best to choose a style that you feel is wearable, and most importantly, a compliment to your dress. Hair that is pulled back too tightly can look severe and hair that isn’t pulled back at all can detract from your dress and neckline. You can never go wrong with a gentle style that accentuates your cheek bones and shows off your collarbones.

Everyone wants to look their absolute best on their wedding day. Some careful planning can help you get yourself in top beauty-shape for your big day. I have never been so careful, thorough and devoted to a skin care regime than I was in the months preceding my wedding.

6-9 Months Before:

- Collect names for wedding day hair and make-up professionals
- Begin getting manicures twice a month and pedicures once a month. (This can wait until about two to three months prior if you are trying to save money)
- Arrange to have monthly haircuts, just trims to keep your hair looking fresh and free of split ends. If your hair tends to be dry, schedule monthly conditioning treatments as well.
- A massage never hurts to help you relax and focus on what matters.

4-6 Months Before:

- Schedule trials for your hair and makeup and plan to make a decision at about three or four months before the big day. You will want to plan a hair trial only about two months before the wedding when you know exactly what length your hair will be.
-If you were planning to hit the gym before the big day, start now. It can take about six weeks for weight loss and new muscle to really show. Exercise will also double as a stress-reliever.
- Schedule monthly appointments for eyebrow waxing to get your brows into shape and to allow for regrowth if you are reshaping them. Begin regular waxings now if you are planning to have a great bikini wax for the honeymoon.

2-4 Months Before:

- Visit your hairstylist for the trial run of your wedding hair. Bring a picture of your dress so the stylist can see the neckline. Bring your veil or headpiece too so the trail can be exactly as it will be for the wedding day.
- If you are interested in airbrush tanning, try it out now so you know what to expect.
- Continue getting as much rest as possible, drinking 6-8 glasses of water each day and moisturize your hands, face, legs and feet.

1 Month Before:

- Contact your wedding day hair and make-up people and confirm the date and time that they will arrive at the place you are getting ready. Make sure they have directions to the wedding venue too.
- If you are going to use an at-home tooth whitening kit, now is the time to start.
- Assemble a day-of-the-wedding beauty kit for yourself if you are getting ready away from home. It should include all sorts of potential last minute things you might need. Also, you can ask a bridesmaid or a close friend to help you put this together as well. Click here to see a picture of my emergency bridal kit and also some instructions about what to include.
- Consider making lists and beginning to get things organized for your honeymoon travel. Depending on how soon after the wedding you are leaving and what you packing style is, perhaps even get out a suitcase and just collect everything you will need to pack later on.

1-2 Weeks Before:

- Get one last hair trim.
- Schedule you final waxings; eyebrows, bikini and anything else you are having done.
- Take some time to relax … get a massage or a facial and make a point now of getting enough rest each night.

1 Day Before:

- Get your final manicure and pedicure.

Wedding Day!

- Wake up in plenty of time to get everything done without having to rush. Take a walk or get some light exercise, it will help with nerves.
- Drink water early in the morning, once your dress is on, you don’t want to have to visit the bathroom too many times.
- Have your hair and make-up done and have someone help you into your dress.
- Enjoy your wedding day because it is YOUR day and you have prepared better than anyone could have. (or, you know, as well as I did! … hehe)