MINI SERIES: TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE WEDDING MORNING, PT. 2
How to Keep Your Wedding Morning Stress-Free, PART 2
EVER BEEN A PART OF A WEDDING DAY THAT SEEMED OVERWHELMING AND PASSED BY IN A FLASH? YEAH, US TOO.
After years of spending countless hours in a hotel room or bridal suite filled with some crazy crews - personally and professionally - we’ve seen all the things a couple should and should not do on their wedding morning!
Here are the do’s and don’ts to make sure your big day is as magical as you’ve envisioned and worked so hard for. There’s a lot to share, so we broke it all down into three separate - but equally important - parts for you! ICYMI: Click here to catch up on Part 1.
Your Wedding Morning
If you already have a routine in place for your everyday mornings, try to stick to that as much as possible. We are big on routines, and any day that we vary from it just feels off! So when you open your eyes on the first day of your new life, do that routine and then do the following:
More yoga. A quick yoga session will clear your brain and create a state of relaxation and ease of movement in your body. Have some videos keyed up for wedding morning yoga!
Pamper! Take a hot shower or relaxing bath - pack your favorite bath salts or bombs with all your travel items! Just be sure to wash and dry your hair the night before (see below), then throw on your coziest robe and slippers, and let your beauty team take it from there.
Your beauty check-list. Follow your beauty artists' recommendations to prep their canvas (your face and hair), and be sure to pass those instructions on to your crew the week before. Although your beauty team will provide their own specific requests, here’s what we recommend:
Come with 100% dry hair (washed and blown out without product the night before is best).
Clean skin (daily moisturizer without SPF or oils is fine).
Wedding party should have inspiration photos ready for the artist (saved to their phone, no more than 2 looks in their similar coloring and complexion).
Soft-scrub exfoliation should occur no less than 2 days before, facials a minimum of 2 weeks before.
To reduce swelling, puffiness or dryness, bring those under-eye patches and lip masks, or ice in a wet face cloth and apply.
Create a vibe. Fill your olfactory senses with a relaxed and uplifting smell using a portable essential oil diffuser or candles. Scents we love that create happy, peaceful spaces: Lavender, vanilla, any citrus (orange, lemon, lime, bergamot), and eucalyptus.
Also, bring a Bluetooth speaker to fill the room with fun, upbeat music. Nothing so crazy you’ll get a headache or anxiety, but something to get the fun started. Rock that Lizzo and Cardi B if you love it!
Eat and drink up. First thing in the morning, drink warm water with lemon to wake up your digestive system gradually (vs. an instant caffeine jolt), then have your coffee, tea or matcha (caution - energy drinks can create unwanted anxiety) - and hydrate with more water. Now you’ve earned that glass of champagne or rosé. Don’t forget - alternate champs and water throughout the day. If you’re a beer or seltzer drinker, limit these to 1-2, as they can cause bloating and puffiness. Vodka and tequila drinkers, save that for the reception!
Eat a healthy breakfast and lunch to sustain your blood sugar and personality all day. (Hangry, anyone?!) Meals should not be super heavy, but substantial enough to soak up the champs, and light on the sugar content to avoid drastic blood sugar spikes and drops. A few of our favorites? Breakfast sandwiches, quiche, fruit, scones, croissants, or a full breakfast buffet of eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, and toast. For lunch, we love a good sandwich (Jersey Mike’s is a fave!), chips, protein bars, hearty salads, and charcuterie boards with lots of protein.
Assign food duty to a family member or SOs of your wedding party, or place a Postmates ahead of time. (Pro tip: Jersey Mike’s can be ordered online 48 hours in advance for pick-up and offers boxes with several sandwich options.) If your wedding is in a hotel, your catering team or room service will be happy to feed you!
Choose Your Crew Wisely
Who you bring into your sacred space for beauty services or just to hang out on your wedding morning is just as important as the food you eat, eye patches you use, and sleep you get. Don’t complicate the day by inviting too many people to the room so that it becomes crowded and chaotic. Every soul there is going to affect your mood and zen, and it’s totally OK to extend that invite to only a select and special few.
Your wedding party and family members are always the first to be considered VIPs. But don’t feel obligated to invite your cousin who’s big on the drama just because she’s family. Include the people in your life that light you up, are thrilled to be there for YOU, and will respect your space. Everyone in the room should be fun, just enough crazy, and on your level. There should be at least one “responsible” friend or family member who will keep the crew in line and moving, help keep the space clean, communicate with your planner, and anticipate/take care of your needs. The people in your crew should balance or limit their alcohol intake as well - it’s a marathon, not a sprint. (Read: leave anyone out of the room that has trouble doing this!)
