5 Plans to Look Your Best on Your Big Day

Every little girl dreams of her wedding day, but no one dreams of all the stress that can build up as you prepare to take that trip down the aisle. Planning your wedding—from favors to the feast to flowers— can be so overwhelming that you forget to plan for yourself. Every bride wants to look her best on her big day, so we’ve put together a quick and easy list of the most important things to keep you on track. Tackle these to–dos early on and you’ll be that beautiful bride you’ve always dreamed of!

Clear Up Your Skin

Prep Time: 6–8 Months You won’t want to wait until a week before your wedding to start getting your skin in tip–top shape. After all, your skin won’t change dramatically overnight. Explore your options at least six months ahead of the big day. Test out your current products and keep track of what is or isn’t working. And always feel free to go the natural route! Diluting unfiltered apple cider vinegar works great for curing most acne issues. The pungent vinegar kills bacteria, gets rid of dead skin cells, and removes unwanted dirt, oil, and makeup. If you’re having stubborn skin issues, visit your dermatologist to see what your best options are. And of course, keep your skin hydrated by getting in the habit of drinking water regularly.

Test Your Haircut and Color

Prep Time: 4–5 Months Wedding preparation involves a lot of trial runs, and a trial run for your hair isn’t any different. If you decide you want to change up your hairstyle, test it out at least four months before your wedding day to allow time for trial and error. For the best results, nix the idea of box dye and book an appointment at a trusted salon—your hair will thank you in the long run. If you plan on getting your hair professionally done for your wedding day, make sure to book a trial run at least a month before.

Whiten Your Teeth

Prep Time: 1–2 Months If you realize that your teeth lack a certain shine, take these steps to brighten up your smile at least a month before the big day. Getting your teeth whitened professionally is a great option, just make sure to book an appointment with your dentist. You can also go for at–home whitening kits from companies like Crest or Rembrandt. A less drastic option could be teeth–whitening toothpaste to gradually achieve pearly whites. It’s important to note that whitening your teeth can make your teeth very sensitive, no matter how you whiten them—so don’t do it hours before you step up to the altar.

Explore Options for Spray Tans

Prep Time: 2–3 Months Skip the beds and lay out by the pool! Spray tans are the way to go for your wedding, and it’s the safest option for your skin. If you’re thinking of trying spray tans at home, you will want to begin testing out products in advance, like Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs, to perfect the technique and ensure you are getting the color payoff you want. If you want a professional spray tan, it’s best to test out salons so you can make sure that you are achieving the tan level you want and that it is not going to ruin any of your precious wedding garments!

Start Your New Exercise Plan

Prep Time: 6–12 Months Establish a great workout routine at least six months before your wedding date. Activities like running or yoga will be your best bet; these workouts break a sweat and alleviate that pre–wedding stress. Don’t ever feel like you need to crash diet or starve yourself to lose weight! This is why starting a healthy workout routine sooner than later is so important. Losing a lot of weight after your dress alterations can be a little risky because you won’t know if you have enough time to get your dress taken in. If you’re not looking to lose weight, getting into the habit of a workout routine is beneficial to your overall health and can help you maintain your weight so there aren’t any hiccups when those bells start ringing.