Rock Paper Sweet

A collection of imaginative wedding ideas & stylish everyday living, from the rings to the favors to the 'happily ever afters.'

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Bridal Beauty Tips

Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day.  With all the planning to do and parties thrown in your honor, it's hard to find time to stick to a regular workout routine (unless you're Wonder Woman).  And, let's just face it: of course you are going to indulge in the delicious desserts and champagne punch at your engagement party...and your bridal shower...and your bachelorette party...and your bridesmaid's luncheon...and your rehearsal dinner...and, well, you get the point.  So, here are a few easy tips to help keep you on the right track as you prepare for your "I Dos." 



1.  Drink plenty of water.  Drinking enough H2O is essential to a healthy body and a healthy complexion.  Water will flush out toxins in your body, assist in shedding a few pounds and leave your complexion clear and bright.  Try swapping out your Diet Coke with sparkling water, or slice up some fruit and toss it in your water for extra flavor.  Lime, orange, mint and cucumber are all refreshingly good choices.  Carry a bottle of water around with you wherever you go (in your car, at your desk...) and you will find yourself falling into the habit of drinking more.  Your body and your skin will thank you.

Photo Credit: Lauren Conrad

2.  Get enough sleep.  Brides-To-Be are super busy and often times under stress.  Make sure you get enough rest each night to help fuel you throughout the next day.  Your attitude will improve and your complexion will glow if you aim to get 8 hours of rest every night.  I know it is difficult, I've been there.  It seems that as the wedding gets closer, the days get shorter and the To Do List gets longer - but you cannot compromise your sleep.  If you have to, set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it.  Remember, it's okay if your don't cross off every single task on your To Do List today - your planning will be more effective and creative if you sleep on it and start with a fresh outlook tomorrow.

Photo: Breakfast at Tiffany's

3.  Delegate.  Divide up the tasks that need to be completed and assign them to people.  This simple act can relieve you of stress, enabling you to relax and get some rest!  Your bridesmaids are always there to help you out, along with your mom, your aunts, cousins, friends, etc...  People are almost always flattered to be asked by the bride to help out with a wedding task.  The people around you are so excited about your upcoming wedding, and it makes them feel special to be asked to help out.  It took me a little while to realize this, but once I did, my life was so much easier!  Even the most unexpected people can be a huge help - for instance, my 14 year old little brother helped me paint wooden picture frames white for our reception decorations, and my other brothers and cousins were more than willing to run errands for me, such as picking up linens and flowers.  Don't be afraid to ask for help - it will keep you calm and focused, relieving a lot of unnecessary stress.  A happy bride is a beautiful bride!



4.  Get some exercise and make healthy choices.  A lot of brides want to tone up before their wedding day so they can look their best.  Try making healthy choices when preparing meals, but avoid going on a super strict diet or extreme workout program before your wedding.  In all reality, doing so will leave you frazzled because, honestly, you won't really have time for that.  Stick to lean meats, lots of veggies, fruits, whole grains and water.  When you eat healthy, you feel more energized, therefore allowing you to work more efficiently at conquering that wedding To Do List. 

Fit in exercise when you can.  When we were planning our wedding, my fiance gave me some great advice regarding exercise.  He was an athlete in college, and he told me about a program his team used when they couldn't get to a gym every day: he called it "The 300."  You start by doing some cardio (you could go for a walk, jog, hike, bike ride, swim, whatever you choose) and then you proceed to do 100 push ups, 100 sit ups and 100 lunges.  The best part?  You don't have to do it all at once.  Whenever you have a few extra minutes, you can do some of your reps.  Keep a tally throughout the day and try to accomplish your 300. This is a great way to fit a solid workout into your already hectic schedule. 


Photo Credit: WebMd

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