You fell in love with the perfect, pristine white wedding dress and put down your deposit for the purchase. Very soon, you will have this beautiful gown altered to your measurements and take it home. It will stay there till your wedding day, when you finally get the chance to show it off and be a gorgeous bride. All this seems easier said than done!
White wedding dresses with their heavy fabric layers and intricate embellishments are susceptible to different types of damage. From stains to embroidered details coming loose and even yellowing of fabric, there are many things that can ruin its brand new look. This would be a huge tragedy, since it is the one dress that will aid your transformation into a stellar bride.
The last week leading up to your wedding will be a whirlwind of activity. This is the time when you have to complete every last detail on your wedding checklist. Since there will be plenty of work to do at this time, it is easy to forget one or more things in all the hurry.
Having seen so many brides over the years, we can understand how exhausting it is when you should finish it all and also get everything right. Fortunately, we know how to make the task easy. Here is a checklist of all the important things you should complete in the week leading up to your wedding.
Use this list to finish your tasks in a planned manner and without hassle.
1.Pick up your wedding dress
Plan your final wedding dress fitting early in the week during your wedding. This will help you ensure that the dress fits perfectly. You needn’t worry about any size changes following this session, and hence can enjoy the best possible fit. In case your dress fitting is over before this, don’t forget to try on your dress during the last week. You can do any necessary alteration if there is any change in measurement at the time. Also try the dress on with the accessories you intend to wear. This will let you see how the overall look comes together, and you can make any necessary changes.
2.Pack or prep your wedding dress
If you plan to get dressed at home, set your wedding dress on a hanger. Steam or iron the belt or sash that comes with the dress, so it looks crisp and clean. In case you should transport your wedding dress, zip it into a garment bag after ensuring all parts are perfectly packed. Check with your wedding dress boutique to find whether there are any likely issues with transporting the dress. Follow their suggestions, if any.
3.Break in your wedding shoes
Don’t wait till your wedding day to first wear your wedding shoes. Unless you break them in, wearing them on the very day can be painful. Brand new shoes pinch, cause blisters or may feel too tight. If the heel height is more than what you usually wear, it won’t be easy to dance in them. So, start using it the month before your wedding and your feet will get accustomed to the fit. In the last week, wear it for a short while every day. Wearing them in short spurts will help you break it in gradually. Get used to the heel height. Also try to dance in them. For more tips and advice on how to break your shoes in effectively, take a look at this article on the Bustle.
4.Practice your vows
You may have written your vows already. So, now start practicing it as well. Even if you will be reading it off a piece of paper, try it out in advance. This will allow you to modulate your voice and pace your lines for the right effect. Another benefit of doing this is that it will alleviate some stress. After all, many brides become nervous when the moment finally arrives and they have to say their vows in front of all these people. Prepare yourself with the lines and you are less likely to fumble and make mistakes. Thus, you will feel calm and confident when you have to finally say it at your wedding.
5.Check and confirm with those who will speak at your wedding
This is the right time to cross-check and confirm with those who are saying the wedding speeches and toasts. A gentle reminder will be sufficient for them to get their toast ready in time for the wedding. It is a good idea to inform then of when it will be their turn to speak on the day. Long toasts and speeches are boring. So, ask them to keep it short and not longer than 5 minutes. Also limit the wedding speeches to three or four at the most, so your guests don’t feel bored.
6.Put together your wedding emergency kit
There are many things that can go wrong on your wedding day. Get ready to tackle all such issues with an emergency kit with all necessary supplies. You will have to stock items like tissues, blotting paper, chalk, safety pins, thread and needles to handle potential wedding dress issues. Apart from that you should also include your hair and makeup essentials. Smelling salts, plaster and tape are some of the other items that can come in handy. For the full list of items to have in your wedding emergency kit, visit this previous article. If you don’t want to set up your emergency kit by yourself, you can also buy it ready made. Find out all about what our emergency kit contains and how you can order it from Best for Bride here.
7.Complete all work-related assignments
You will have to run around a lot for your wedding tasks. So, get your work out of the way before that. Complete all pending assignments and delegate responsibilities to your colleagues in-charge during your absence. Send emails to all those concerned, informing them of your non-availability during your wedding and honeymoon. Get your work things organized and in-place. Create easy to access lists and information for your co-workers, boss and subordinates, so they will not have to contact you while you are away.
8.Confirm with vendors and suppliers
Don’t wait till the day before your wedding to get in touch with your wedding vendors. Call them up early and cross-check if everything is progressing as per plan. Confirm that there are no issues and all required ingredients and materials are available. Inquire about any likely changes, and give the go-ahead only after verifying them. Confirm arrival, transportation and pick-up plans for the day. Provide a contact who they can get in touch with in case of any questions on the day. If you have a wedding planner, she will handle all this. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to verify that everything is moving smoothly.
9.Verify plans with your wedding party
Get in touch with your bridesmaids, ushers and the rest of the members in the wedding party and inform them of the wedding timeline and plans. Check and confirm that your bridesmaids have collected their dresses after necessary alterations. Also discuss their hair and makeup plans for the day. Delegate the responsibilities to the right people, so everyone is aware of what they are in-charge of. Inform them of where they have to be at different times on the day. Also discuss the details of how, where and when they should do their hair and makeup on the day. Once you do the overall planning, delegate the responsibilities to ensure each aspect is covered to your maid-of-honor, best man and bridal party.
10.Pack your overnight bag
Even if you will be getting dressed at your home, put all that you need together for easy access. Make a list of all the things you need to get ready. This should also include your change of clothes, an extra pair of shoes, your emergency kit and other essentials. Then pack a bag with these items and put it away safely. Once you have this ready, simply pull it out when it is time to go. You need not worry about searching for all you need at the last minute.
11.Pack your honeymoon bag
Pack all that you need for your honeymoon in the week before your wedding. Depending on the location, make a list of the different things you have to carry. Then pack these items into your bag. If your honeymoon is abroad, don’t forget to pack your passport and other travel documents. When you get everything ready in advance, you are less likely to forget any essential detail. For new clothes, shoes and other items, get rid of the tags and price stickers before packing them in.
12.Confirm the guest head count
This is the right time to ensure that your seating arrangement is done properly and that there are no changes to plan. If someone has failed to RSVP, reach out to them to find out if they are attending or not. You can make suitable last-minute changes to the seating plan if there is a difference in head count. Share this information with your caterer, venue manager and wedding planner, once the list is ready. If you have asked guests to make a choice from the menu options, this is also the time to follow up with those who haven’t responded already. Your vendors and caterers will need such information to plan their work for the day.
13.Prep your home
There will be people visiting you during the week before your wedding. So, get it ready for hosting, in advance. Do a deep clean, put everything in its right place and neatly arrange your house. Have your kitchen stocked with easy-to-prepare meals, for days that do not go as planned. Plan your outfits for the week, so you can dress quickly and efficiently. If there are items that are to be stored away safely, put them away now and you needn’t worry about them when you have to lock and go. Hire help if necessary, for the cleaning, maintenance and any other essential tasks. Also identify the zones where you will be taking photographs on the wedding day, and set them up neatly and as preferred so they are ready for pictures.
14.Get your mani/pedi and confirm hair and makeup appointments
You should do your manicure and pedicure closer to the wedding day, for best results. So, schedule your appointment just a day or two before the wedding. Make sure it doesn’t clash with any of the remaining wedding plans. You will have to spend at least an hour at the salon for this purpose. Decide on how you want your nails to look for the occasion. Here are some ideas on the Huffington Post. This will prevent you from randomly picking it up and later regretting the choice. Book your appointment at the salon in advance. If you will be using a hairdresser or makeup artist for your wedding, double-check your booking details to avoid confusion on the day.
15.Brief your maid-of-honor or wedding planner on wedding day responsibilities
You do not want to spend your time overseeing every detail on your wedding day, when you ought to actually have fun. So, assign all responsibilities to a capable person or persons. Discuss factors like what to do with the décor after the function, how to handle vendor payments, what to do with your wedding dress etc. Give clear instructions on each aspect that is important. You can thus minimize their need to consult you with questions on the day. Do a double check of your wedding checklist and make sure everything has been handled.
Wedding planning is strenuous and can overwhelm every bride at some point or the other. To avoid drowning in the stress, it is wise to chalk out time for yourself during the wedding planning process. Also, don’t forget to enjoy every milestone you cross. Finding the perfect wedding dress is a big achievement in your wedding planning, and we can help you with this. Visit Best for Bride for the latest and most modern as well as classic bridal dress collections. Apart from that, also browse through our bridesmaids dress collections, wedding accessories collection and more to jump start your wedding planning today.
Once you wear your wedding gown on your wedding day, your transformation into a bride is almost complete. There are few things left to do now, before you walk down the aisle. But before you step into your dream wedding dress, there are a couple of things you should first complete. This is what we will look at today. Here is a list of must-do’s before you finally wear your bridal dress, and are ready to walk down the aisle.
Bad hair days are a given evil in our daily lives. So, imagine how your wedding look would go for a toss if your hair decided to act up on the most important day of your life?
You need to look perfect at your wedding, and your hair plays an important role in perfecting your overall bridal look. So, you cannot afford to sit back and just hope it will be alright. So, what do you do?
Fear not, for we are here with help. Follow this list of DO’s and DON’Ts and rest assured, you will be able to tame your mane and sport the fantastic wedding day hair you always dreamed of.
# THE BRIDAL HAIR DO’S
Start pampering and caring for your hair months in advance
Invest time and effort into your hair, if you want it to look great in time for your wedding day. Just as you start with a skin care regimen and plan a workout to get in shape six to eight months in advance,
set aside time to care for your hair. Only then will it be able to heal, grow and glow. Simple steps like replacing your old comb with a good quality brush, disentangling knots with care and never brushing wet hair, will make a huge difference over time. Give your hair extra TLC by applying an extra nourishing hair mask suitable for your hair type, once a week. Find more practical tips on how to take care of your hair in this article at the Feminine women website.
Avoid choosing or parting your hair in a way that makes you look entirely different from how you normally are. If you do, your guests will be figuring out why you look so different, instead of focusing on how beautiful you look in your bridal attire. The best option is to go with a variation of the hairstyle in which you always look pretty. Also pay close attention to the neckline of your dress, when choosing your hairstyle. You should wear your hair up or let it down, depending on what style complements the neckline of your dress. Here are some ideas
Side-swept chignons go well with strapless gowns, single-shoulder gowns, bateau necklines and illusion style dresses
Top knots and high buns are good choices with high necklines
Braided hairstyles are pretty with sweetheart necklines and lace gowns
Retro styles and loose hairdos are the choices for modern glamorous gowns with plunging V-necklines or halter straps
Have a test run before the actual day and nail the perfect hairstyle in advance
Collect pictures of hairstyles that you would like to try before you book your appointment with the hairstylist. You can then discuss all your ideas with her. Make sure you do this well ahead of your wedding day. Be open to her suggestions. Discuss any specific ideas you have, and where pictures are available, use them to help convey a better idea of how you want to look. Once you reach a consensus on the style to try, book a trial where you get to see how it actually looks. If you aren’t satisfied with how this hairstyle looks, you still have time to explore other options. Some articles suggest you attempt three different hairstyles for your wedding day, to settle on the best one. You could schedule your trial appointment for the same day as your bridal dress fitting session, as this will allow you to get a good idea of how the two work together.
Allow enough time for your hair appointment on your wedding day
You will get a fair idea of how long it will take you to style your wedding hairdo at your trial. When planning your wedding day schedule, make sure you add an extra half-hour, just to be safe. You never know what unexpected hiccups can crop up on the day. So, prepare for it in advance, and all will be well. On this note, don’t forget to cross-check and reconfirm your appointment the day before the wedding, so your hairstylist doesn’t forget.
If you will be changing dresses after the wedding, and also changing your hairdo to go with it, make sure you will have sufficient time for it. Choose styling products that will make this easy. Also, make a list and stash everything you need to get dressed into your tote well in advance, so you don’t forget anything at the last minute.
Wear a button-down dress while styling your hair on your wedding day
In the normal scenario, you will wear your wedding gown after you finish your hair and makeup. Choosing a front-open or button-down dress for your hair appointment will allow you to change into your wedding dress without disturbing your hairstyle. Or, if you are doing your hair by yourself at home, a bathrobe works well too. In either case, you should be able to easily get out without having to touch your hairstyle or ruining it.
#THE BRIDAL HAIR DONT’S
Experiment with a new cut or colour too close to the wedding date
As I mentioned earlier, you should be preparing for your wedding day a few months ahead of the wedding. The ideal time to start planning is as soon as you buy your wedding dress. If you plan to try a drastically different haircut or colour your hair a brand new shade, make sure you do it as early as possible, so you have time to grow out of it if it isn’t something you like. The best thing to do is to get the look well in advance, and simply trim, touch up and maintain it during the days leading up to the wedding. This way, you will not be in for any nasty surprises in the hair department, on your big day.
Use heat or curling and straightening irons unless absolutely necessary, till your wedding day
Limit the use of heat and hair styling products, as these can take a toll on the natural bounce and beauty of your tresses. Your hair will have to deal with a lot of stress from curling, crimping, setting and straightening on the wedding day itself. So, minimize the damage by subjecting your hair to minimum hair treatments prior to the wedding. We perfectly understand how you will find it necessary to turn on the heat, to look perfect for all those pre-wedding photo opportunities. After all, you want to look great not just on your wedding day, but in all the pictures that make their way into your collection of wedding memories. But too much heat damage will have you stressing over your hair after you tie the knot. So, take it easy with the chemicals and heat. Don’t forget to use a heat-resistant spray and give your hair the nourishment it requires, so it can cope. Also, do your bit by drinking plenty of water and eating a well-balanced diet that will have your hair in top shape to bear this external damage.
Forget about hair accessories when planning your wedding day hairstyle
When you attend your trial hair appointment, make sure you have all your hair accessories for the day with you. This should include your veil, hair pins, combs, clips, hair extensions, flowers and anything else that you intend to wear in your hair, on an actual day. The veil is very important, as where it is placed will greatly impact your overall look. There are stunning hairstyles that work well with veils. So, if you will be wearing a veil, discuss your options with your hairdresser. Similarly, placing hair accessories like headbands at different positions on your crown can alter your look drastically. Sort this out at your trial appointment, rather than wait till your wedding day to find out. Look at pictures you find in magazines and on the internet for inspiration, and also listen to your stylist’s suggestions. Once you nail the final look, take pictures of this hairstyle from all angles, and save it for your reference. This will help clear up any confusion on your wedding day, should it happen. You also don’t want to choose a look that will seem dated five years from now. Go with classic and elegant styles and choose hair accessories that will stand the test of time. Check out this article on how to choose the best headpieces for your wedding day for some ideas to plan your wedding day look.
Overdo it; simple can also be stylish
The more you worry about how you will look on your wedding day, the more difficult it will be to find the perfect look. It isn’t necessary to have an elaborate or very complicated hairstyle to look glamorous on your wedding day. Simply polishing up your regular style, or adding a dose of bling with a gorgeous ornament, is all that is sometimes needed to create that impact. To do this easily, we suggest you try to recollect a few occasions when you looked best, and how you wore your hair at the time. Start with something similar and work out a hairstyle with your stylist, so you can enhance it even further. Comfort is also key. If you think you’ll be fiddling with your hair at the altar if you leave it down, go for a style that takes the hair away from your face instead. There are hundreds of great hairstyles that can help you achieve the look you want to while feeling comfortable as well. All you have to do is to figure out which of them will be apt for you.
Forget to pack hairspray and other touch-up essentials into your emergency kit, to keep your curls in place throughout the day
It is not just when you walk down the aisle that you ought to look great, it is all through the day. This means you may have to touch up your hair once in a while. Make sure you stash away all the necessary tools for this, in your bridal emergency kit. This includes your hairbrush, a fine comb, hairspray and bobby pins. Make sure you touch up at regular intervals, so you look fresh and your hair is intact in all your wedding pictures. Also, it is only sensible to plan your hairstyle such that it is suitable for the venue and weather. If your ceremony is held outdoors in a breezy location, allowing your locks to naturally fall may not be the best idea. So, think of all these factors when deciding on your hairstyle. If you will be changing your hairstyle after the ceremony, for the reception, practice, practice, practice! Only then will it be quick and easy to change from the first style to the second, on the day. Choose suitable styling products so this is easy to achieve.
Finally, remember that your wedding day is not all about how you look, but also about how you feel. Everything you wear or dress up in should only complement the happiness you feel in your soul on the day you marry the man you love. Keep this vision in mind, and everything will be sorted out by itself.
At Best for Bride, we are here to help you realize your vision for the perfect wedding day. Beginning with your wedding dress to your ceremony décor, invitations, wedding cake, party favours, jewelry and accessories, we have everything you require for your big day. For an unbeatable collection of beautiful hair accessories, tiaras and veils, visit us today and make your pick. You can also choose to rent your wedding jewelry and hair accessories from us, at a fraction of their original cost. Book your appointment or drop in at your nearest Best for Bride store, and see your wedding dreams come to reality in no time.
For more wedding tips and advice keep visiting us at Best for Bride.
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