wedding planner l BY PORCSHE N. MORAN
Relax & Enjoy Indulge in some pre-wedding pampering.
Almost everyone experiences at least a little stress while planning a wedding. Making decisions, dealing with family and perfecting every detail can take its toll. The honeymoon shouldn’t be your first chance to relax. Schedule time before the wedding to treat yourself to some pampering. From a day at the spa to a few hours of quiet reading, there are many ways to blow off steam. You can unwind alone, with your soon-to-be spouse, or with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Whatever you do, don’t forget to turn off your cellphone!
Have A Spa Day
A trip to the spa is an ideal way to ease pre-wedding anxiety. Indulge in a rejuvenating manicure, pedicure, facial, massage or the whole package. Many spas offer special packages for brides and grooms that include services, a light lunch and Champagne. u Manicures & Pedicures: Get your fingernails and toenails groomed for the wedding. A paraffin wax treatment, hot towel wrap, and hand and arm massage will take your manicure and pedicure to the next level of tranquility. uFacial and Body Treatments: A basic facial might include gentle exfoliating, a face and neck massage and a purifying masque. Spa menus are also filled with full-body treatments. Wraps and scrubs remove dead layers of skin, increase circulation and leave your skin glowing and refreshed. Spoil yourself with these
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services, and you’ll be ready to tackle your wedding to-do list again. uMassage: Melt away tension and release toxins from your body with a pre-wedding massage. You can usually book appointments for 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes. Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone massages are among the most popular with spa clients. If your budget doesn’t allow for a professional experience, recreate the spa at home. Enjoy a soak in a warm bath filled with moisturizing salts or bubbles. Light some candles and turn on a playlist of soothing tunes to complete the ambience.
Get Some Exercise
Working up a sweat might not seem like a reward, but it is one of the best ways to clear your mind. Wedding experts recommend taking yoga classes a month or two before you walk down the aisle. You can also rent a yoga DVD to get
the full benefits of the breathing and relaxation techniques. If yoga isn’t your thing, get outside for a brisk walk, a game of tennis, a round of golf or any physical activity that helps you tune out. Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine before your wedding. Proper hydration will keep your skin, hair and nails looking great, banish bloating and fight fatigue.
Take a Staycation
After months of intense wedding planning, you’ve likely skipped out on your favorite leisure activities. Dedicate a day or two for vacation-style downtime without leaving home. If you can afford it, hire a service to clean your home. Stock up on your favorite healthy snacks, and get meals delivered so you don’t have to cook. Something as simple as getting lost in a novel, taking a midday nap or watching a movie will provide much-need pampering before you say, “I do.”