Chill Out! It's your Wedding Day!

Your wedding day may be one of the most important days of your life-ok, the most important day of your life-but that doesn't mean it has to be the most stressful day either. The last thing you want is to be torn at the seams, or to be a raging "bridezilla." Your best bet is to take a step back, and just chill out and relax before walking down the aisle.

Here's how you can do just that:

1. Make sure that you get a good night's sleep the night before your wedding. Of course it may be hard to sleep because you're likely to be nervous or excited, but allot yourself a good 8 hours of rest. You also may want to refrain from drinking alcohol the night before, and instead indulge yourself in a relaxing aromatherapy bubble bath. Lavender is a good aromatic choice because it has a soothing scent and may help you to fall asleep.



2. Eat something for breakfast. This isn't to say you have to have a huge feast of a breakfast (unless of course you want to!), but you should eat something, preferably something with protein. A meal loaded with sugar won't help you if you're already feeling a bit nervous, worried or excited. You also want to make sure to drink plenty of water-you definitely don't want to become dehydrated during the wedding. You want to feel awake and energized on your wedding day, and a good, healthy breakfast with good old-fashioned water will do just that.
3. Make a schedule of everything you need to do. This should be done the night before the wedding. Writing down a list of everything you need to do will ensure that you don't forget anything before you walk down the aisle. Another good idea would be to tape the schedule on a mirror in your bedroom so you'll be sure to see it.
4. Have someone do your hair and make-up. If you know ahead of time that doing your own hair and make-up will stress you out, or if you simply have a hard time doing those things, have someone else do them for you. This can be a make-up artist, a hair stylist, a trusted friend or relative, or even a worker at a department store make-up counter. Having someone take care of your hair and make-up may help in keeping you relaxed, most likely save you some time, and it's always fun to be pampered like a princess!



5. Prepare a bag of important items in case of a crisis. You want your wedding day to run smoothly, and it would be awful if something happened to your dress or your hair before you walk down the aisle. That's why having a bag filled with important necessities will not only save you in an emergency, but knowing that you have it will help to put your mind at ease. And if you don't want the responsibility of filling the bag, have a relative or one of your bridal attendants do it for you. Here's what should go in the bag or case: a curling iron, a brush, a comb, a hair dryer, bobby pins, make-up, tissues, deodorant, lotion, safety pins, a cell-phone, a phone list of people in your bridal party, stain remover, static guard, a needle and thread, a mirror, a bottle of clear nail polish, a bottle of nail polish that matches your nails, extra pairs of stockings, sanitary needs, a bottle of Tylenolâ any important medications that you need, plastic bags, mints, a bottle of water, and a small snack in case you get the pre-wedding munchies.
6. Play some music. While you're getting dressed or doing anything before you walk down the aisle, play your favorite music. Not only may it help keep your mind off of being nervous, it may actually make the last-minute preparations of your wedding a lot more enjoyable. It's your wedding day and you should have fun!



7. Don't allow annoying people to be around you. As you're getting ready, the last thing you need is to be around people who make you nervous or agitated. You'll have plenty of time later to see everyone, so while you're getting ready, only allow the people you feel most comfortable with to be around you. If someone is making you nervous, nicely explain to them that what they are saying or doing is making you tense. This isn't being mean; it's being assertive, and there's nothing wrong with being assertive.
8. Exercise. Obviously you don't want to exercise a half-hour before you leave for the ceremony, but if you have enough time, it might be a good idea to move around for a little bit. Exercising often releases endorphins, which will give you a natural high, so if you normally exercise, go for a short run or walk, or even do some Tae-Bo. If aerobics isn't your thing, lifting weights, doing crunches or squats, or doing yoga will also help to ease some tension. A little exercise or even meditation will not only give you energy for your big day, it will help to release some stress and make you feel good without having any adverse side effects.



9. Give yourself plenty of time. Whether your wedding is in the afternoon or in the evening, make sure that you have time, not only for the things you need to do, but for yourself. Being rushed on your wedding day probably isn't a good idea. If you wake up at a decent hour (see #1 on how to do this) you'll have some time for that exercise, a bubble bath, or even time to read a book, which will in turn calm your nerves.
10. Remember that it's just your wedding day! Even though it's the most important day of your life, don't worry if things don't go exactly as planned. Your wedding is more than just looking like a princess and having a big party. Getting married is a celebration of love, and if you keep that in mind, a little thing that goes slightly wrong won't bother you as much. If you think about how in love you are, you'll be on cloud nine for the whole day... and hopefully for the rest of your life!

*Reprinted from Spring/Summer 2004