Basic Preparation Every Bride/Groom Should Do

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Basic Preparation Every Bride/Groom Should Do

That's myself, my girls and may parents walking down going to the beach to finally meet the man of my dream. I felt as though I was the most beautiful and sexiest woman during that day...:) This is our very own day, no other than...

Every bride/groom wants to look beautiful when they walk down the aisle. When you are paying thousands of dollars for photographs, you may as well do your best! Chances are, he/she loves you just the way you are, but there are some considerations you can make to ensure you are on top of your game.

EXERCISE

Selecting a dress that will make you look and feel great is an important first step. But what happens when you look in the mirror and notice trouble spots like saggy arms or unsightly folds in your back? When this happens it’s not uncommon for brides to try quick-fix diets to help them get in shape. Unfortunately, many dieting brides make fitness mistakes that not only prevent them from reaching their goals but also cause unnecessary stress and sometimes even illness. Those are two things no bride needs! Here are five of the most common diet mistakes as well as some tips to help you avoid them.

Too much, too late.

One of the most important things to remember if you are trying to lose weight is to start early. For example, don’t try to lose 20 pounds two months before the big day. The key is to plan ahead so that you can lose the weight (or just tone up) gradually. So if you’re dream-wedding day includes you being in great shape, then include fitness as a “to-do” on your overall wedding checklist. That way it will be a priority in your wedding planning.

No matter how far or close your wedding day may be, it is always beneficial to stick to an exercise regime to ensure that your body and mind are in top working order. Brides/grooms who need to shed some kilos fast could try cutting carbohydrates and starchy foods from their diet, while remembering to drink lots of fresh water and keeping up their recommended 30 minutes of physical activity per day.

Those with a bit longer to plan may opt to take up a personal training regime with a qualified trainer. Most local gyms can recommend a personal trainer in your area, and diet is often included in the training regime.

Setting unachievable goals.

Many women get engaged and begin imagining themselves drastically thinner or more sculpted. Be realistic with yourself. If you’ve never been a size 6 in your life, then it is probably unrealistic to think you can magically transform just because you are getting married. And, do you really want to look so different on your wedding day that most people (including your fiancé) hardly recognize you?

Radical diets or fitness programs.

Brides typically are short on time and long on to-do lists. This leads many to try unhealthy fitness programs or starvation diets. Don’t be tempted by diets that promise quick, drastic results with little effort from you. You should avoid any programs that suggest taking “diet” pills or eating unbalanced meals (like eating only cabbage soup for a week). And, don’t be lured into trying dangerous things, like laxatives.

Not exercising.

It’s very easy for brides to say “I don’t have time to exercise” or “I’m too tired to exercise”. But diet and exercise should always go hand in hand. Consider them to be like yin and yang. Without activity your body can’t burn as many calories. If you are very short on time, try to exercise in small 10-minute bursts throughout the day. And, keep in mind that little things help too, like taking the stairs or parking at the outer edge of the mall parking lot. Plus, if you are tired from all of your planning, exercise will help give you back some energy.

Skipping Meals

It’s not uncommon to get caught up in your planning and then realize at 9 p.m. (as your head begins to ache) that you haven’t eaten a thing all day. While it may not be an uncommon scenario, it is unavoidable. Not only is skipping meals unhealthy, it can lead to binge eating. That often means eating very fattening foods and/or overeating all at once. To avoid this, try packing light snacks to keep on hand throughout the day. Good examples include carrot sticks, cheese strings, peanut butter on crackers, etc.

Getting in shape doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t require a lot of time. If you are trying to lose weight or firm up before your wedding, below are some sample plans to help you get started. Keep in mind that the most important thing is for a bride to feel good about herself. And no matter what size or shape, all brides are beautiful on their wedding day!

SKINCARE

Doing all you can to achieve a healthy glow before your wedding day is a worthwhile pursuit. Daily exfoliation is recommended in the lead up to your wedding, and some brides/grooms also opt for a facial in the fortnight before the big day.

Be careful not to have your eyebrows waxed on the day of the wedding, as large red marks can look unsightly in photographs! A gentle exfoliation, cleanse, and moisturizing regime should be best to keep your skin supple for the big day.

CLOTHING

If you are a bride, have your dress and underwear fitted by a professional! Ill-fitted dresses or incorrect undergarments can turn the perfect wedding day into a nightmare, and you may not even realise it until you get your photos back!

Ensure you attend regular dress fittings in the lead up to your wedding day, even if your dress was bought off-the-rack. It could still pay to have it altered to fit your individual body shape. Ask your dressmaker for tips on the right underwear and perhaps even order the garments from the dressmaker - as they have the best idea of bridal underwear necessities!

Shoes also need to be comfortable. Not only will you be exchanging your vows in them, but you will be traipsing around town to get photos taken and kicking up your heels on the dance floor at the reception. Your shoes need to do more than match your dress, they must be comfortable and the correct size!

For grooms, suit fitting is just as important as getting the bride’s dress right. Ensure you have a tailor fit your suit and undershirt to your individual size. There is nothing worse than coat tails that drag on the ground or trouser legs that finish halfway between the knee and the ankle! Grooms should also give their shoes a good shine before the big day - look your best!

SOUL

Preparing for a wedding can be an exhausting task. Ensure that you keep communicating with each other and make joint decisions about what your perfect wedding day will hold. It is also great to put aside some time for non-wedding related pursuits, such as sports, or spending time with friends and family.

Meditation and massage can also be helpful in the lead up to your big day and ensure that both the bride and groom are happy, glowing and feeling their absolute best!

_____________________________________________________________

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: wow, sound advise!

This is my new blog sis, added this one there... hope u can add me here too.. will grab you other link too..; December 30, 2008 at 5:43 AM
Madz said...: Thanks sistah Rose, will add this one too in here and the rest of my blogs..; December 30, 2008 at 3:41 PM