The Bride we are hosting today for a bit of real advice deserves a wedding trophy of some sort. Not only is she planning her own Big Day (a challenge in and of itself), she is a Maid of Honor in THREE other weddings and a guest in an additional wedding! I’m blown away by her and even though I’m already married, I want to know allll her tricks for staying sane (maybe I can apply them to mama life with a toddler, too!). I’ll let Lisa take it from here, because I know all of you B-to-B’s are dying to know her secrets, too.
Hello, Style Me Pretty readers! Lisa here. Soon-to-be-bride and seasoned Maid of Honor. This year, I am in five weddings (maid-of-honor in three) and in addition, planning my own. Just reading that probably exhausts you. So far, one down, four to go. In the magazines, planning a wedding looks like a blast. In many ways, it is. But being a bride (and a Maid of Honor, for that matter) can be exhausting, especially the week leading up to your big day. In the midst of taking care of all the final details and out of town guests, brides often forget to take care of themselves. And what awful timing?! The one time in your life you actually want and NEED your beauty sleep. In the midst of all the craziness, I’m here to share eight ways to stay sane and well-rested the week of your wedding. This way you don’t have to call in the professionals to help you get the glow you could have simply gotten from a good night’s sleep. (But for real, if you DO want the call in the pros, check out the routine I am following from Sona Med Spa – a little extra, but it has some good tips.)
Science has shown lack of sleep increases stress levels. Without proper rest, you are more likely to get worked up over things you have no control over. Not to mention, the last thing you want is to be at your fiancé’s throat days before you say, “I do.” That is no way to start a marriage. The week of your wedding, give yourself a bedtime and stick to it! A full eight hours will increase your productivity and keep cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone) down.
Yes, I know it’s tempting to respond to every text and email sent your way the week of your wedding. But if you don’t set proper boundaries to unplug, you’ll find yourself up well past midnight on multiple occasions. In fact, the blue light from your phone fools your brain into staying turned on. Rather than responding to each and every message, try delegating responsibilities to your wedding planner and Maid of Honor. After all, they are there to help! Real life example: One of my friends who is getting married this weekend texted all her bridesmaids saying she was removing herself from the group chat because she knew all the texts would stress her out! Kudos to you, Hannah. Talk about a powerhouse bride. Note: Feel free to use, take out or crop. This is a legit text from my friend getting married Saturday!!
Did you read that text above? Yes, Hannah declared she was having at least two glasses of wine every day leading up to her big day. Not bad advice! Whether it’s wine, a cup of chamomile or a hot bath, start winding down at least an hour before bed. Your brain takes a while to power down after a long day, especially if you are stressed. Dim the lights and use this time to communicate to your body it’s time for sleep! Pro Tip: Turn your entire house into a sanctuary with Style Me Pretty’s home relaxation guide. Just walking in the door will calm you down.
If you find yourself lying in bed wide-awake, mind-racing, grab a pen and write your thoughts down. The longer you lay there spinning your wheels, the more sleep you miss out on and the more stressed you become.
Maybe you are verbal processor, maybe not. As for me, talking it out is my love language. If you reach the tipping point with that one vendor or, god-forbid, your future in-laws, call a friend and get it off your chest. I’m not saying bash you-know-who to your heart’s content, but talking it out will help you let go and move in. Little disputes are nothing to lose sleep over.
Speaking of future in-laws, mine gave my fiancé and I some great advice – wait until Monday to leave for the honeymoon. I know that idea may sound insane, but you are going to be exhausted after your wedding. They suggested we book a nice hotel, sleep in, order room service and fly out the next morning. That doesn’t sound bad. After all, the last thing you will be is bored.
In the week leading up to your big day, it is okay to say no if you become too stressed or busy to deal with whatever comes out of left field. Like I said, delegate. This goes for your honeymoon too. Don’t be afraid to say no to excursions or sightseeing every single day. Your honeymoon is about being present with your new spouse anyway! It’s okay to take naps, lay on the beach and catch up on some rest.
Maintaining a healthy sleep hygiene lasts a lifetime. Even after your wedding week passes, it’s important you get quality sleep consistently and that means talking to your new spouse about expectations. I don’t know about you, but I am nervous about sharing a sleep space for the first time! My fiancé and I started by choosing the best mattress for us. We are different sleepers with different sleep preferences, but marriage is all about compromise. Through life’s ups and downs, a good night’s sleep just might keep you sane. Now you are equipped to take on your wedding week stress free. Take a deep breath, be present and try and catch those ZZZs!