If your big day is just around the corner and you’re somewhat freaking out (understandably so), don’t fret. It’s inevitable that some things will end up being left until the last minute simply because they’ve been forgotten about in the hustle and bustle of preparing for your wedding day, and just know that you’re not the only one that it’s ever happened to.
When you’re totally losing it because of stress right before your big day, try to remember that it is, in fact, the most important day of your life, and it’s something that you’ll want to remember forever. Try to set aside the last-minute fears, anxieties and other stress triggers and actually enjoy your moment of glory. And just in case you really can’t stop freaking, here are a few last-minute tips to help you out.
Eat!
Sure, you’ve probably spent months dieting and exercising so you’ll look absolutely perfect in your wedding dress, but if you don’t eat on the day of your wedding, you’ll regret it quickly. You don’t want to be feeling faint at the altar now, do you?
Try to eat a breakfast that’s high in protein and complex carbs that will take the longest to break down in your body. Many brides and grooms only get a chance to grab a couple of quick bites of food at their reception, so stuff yourself early to not have to worry the rest of the day.
Pack a protein bar or energy bar of some sort in your clutch to bring with you to both the church and the reception. This way, just in case your stomach starts to growl or you feel faint, you can grab a quick bite and just stash it away again.
Try to avoid salads before your ceremony – lettuce and veggies may seem the most harmless to the diet you’ve worked so hard on, but salads actually make you bloated, so your dress may fit a bit more tightly than you’d like if you chow down on a huge salad before getting into it!
Pack Some Flats
You might have the most sexy, perfect-with-your-wedding-gown pair of shoes for your big day, but how long can you really stand them for?
Pack a pair of ballet flats that are still classy because chances are, you’ll want your heels for the ceremony and the photos, but you’ll want something more comfy for all the dancing at your reception!
You can switch back and forth between the stilettos and the flats easily throughout the day, depending on which you feel is more appropriate for what it is you are doing. If pictures are involved, wear the heels. But make sure you’re out enjoying yourself on the dance floor, too, and if that means flats, then it means flats!
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
It may be the hardest thing to do with all of the butterflies rumbling around in your stomach the night before your wedding, but you have to be fully rested to be able to fully enjoy your big day.
Try to get a solid 8 hours of sleep the night before your wedding, no matter how hard it is. Make sure everything is taken care of and all of your vendors are paid well in advance to help cut down on the running mind that keeps many brides-to-be from sleeping before their day.
Wear a comfortable pair of pajamas and climb into bed with an awesome pillow and a comfy blanket and let yourself drift away into dreams of your beautiful, perfect wedding. Your body will thank you for the sleep when you’re dancing the night away at your reception the following day!
Put Your Bridesmaids to Work
Your bridesmaids are at your wedding not only because they are your friends, but because they want to be there for you to help you out with anything you need along the way.
Put them to use! If there’s something you forgot to take care of with a vendor, send one of your bridesmaids to take care of it. If your uncle is drunk and stumbling around in the church before the ceremony, send a bridesmaids (or perhaps opt for a groomsman for this duty).
The point is – your friends are there to help. That said, try to limit the number of people around you so as to reduce stress levels. Allow only close family and your bridal party into your room where you’re getting ready.
Have a Chat With Your BFF
Your best friend is probably your maid of honor, so have a talk with her if you’re freaking out before your wedding. She’s been there for you through everything, so it’s part of her job to help keep you calm before you walk down the aisle.
If she’s a really good friend, she’ll be prepared for you to freak out, too. Even better yet! She always knows exactly what to say to help you stay calm – take advantage of that.
If your best friend is a guy, that’s great, too. Even if he’s not in the bridal party for whatever reason, track him down and have a talk with him. The simple comfort of sitting down and having a heart to heart with someone who knows you as well as your best friend can be more comforting and soothing than you may imagine.
Leave It To the Professionals
Hiring a wedding coordinator will be the best decision you make in the planning of your wedding. On the big day, leave everything to the professionals so that you can relax and enjoy yourself.
A wedding coordinator will make sure everyone is where they need to be at the right times and will coordinate everything, hence their professional title. All you have to do is sit back and relax and know that you planned your own big day and you and your professional team have everything under control.
Remember that you’re about to start the rest of your life with the man of your dreams, and know that your wedding day will go by all too quickly. It’s important for you to take a break from the stress and enjoy every second of it. So smile, hold your head high, and have a blast!
Nikki Farnsworth is a freelance writer who has been a bridesmaid in her fair share of weddings, so she knows the last-minute stresses all too well. She’s been responsible for everything from preparing Ketubah texts to getting the bride clear nail polish to fix the run in her stockings. Her best advice to brides: just breathe and enjoy it!
