WEDDINGS
BRIDE TO BE
The Ultimate Wedding Prep
Weddings are a wonderful thing, but the lead up to the big day can be fraught. Decisions upon decisions about colour schemes, table plans and menus leave little time for much else, so what better time to stop and prioritise some‘ me time’ and get yourself bridal beautiful. BY SAMANTHA READY
Fitness Goals Now is the perfect time to join the gym, or an exercise class. Breaking a sweat not only provides some wedding stress respite, but will also make a difference to how you feel and look. In the eight weeks before my big day in June with the help of the trainers at the Pavillion at Eastwell Manor, I was able to lose over 14lbs and drop a dress size. It’ s never too late to start but do bear in mind your weight / inch loss goals when booking your final dress fittings.
Get Body Beautiful So you’ ve done the hard work, you’ ve eaten like a rabbit for what seems like forever, and you’ ve spent more time with the gym mat than your partner, so why not treat yourself to a few body beauty treats. The Universal Contour Wrap as offered by Dreams Spa at Eastwell Manor is a brilliant bridal fix offering a guaranteed minimum six-inch loss from just one body wrap and with results lasting 30 days you should be able to stretch this to cover your honeymoon bod too! www. eastwellmanor. co. uk
Book a treat with the girls too, extend your hen do plans and book a spa day or stay. Nothing aids wedding prep de-stress than a few hours( and a couple of glasses of fizz) in an opulent spa with some blissful treatments. Reynolds Retreat( www. reynoldsgroup. co. uk / retreat) offers a range of pamper packages perfect for you and your hens.
Don’ t Forget the Skin Regime It’ s amazing how many people concentrate on the body and forget the skin in the lead up to the big day. Not only is it important to drink water and lots of it, but now is also the time to invest in a daily skin care regime too. If you can stretch your budget, treat yourself to some higher range products even if just for the months prior. See it as an investment; not only will you look and feel great, your make-up will sit better and your photos will be amazing! Also find a great skin therapist and treat yourself to a facial. My pre-wedding facial present was the Bionic Oxygen Facial by Exuviance by the wonder that is Nikki East at Beau Boutique( www. beauboutiquesalon. com). With no down time, a hands-on application and all natural products you could even have this treatment on the morning of your big day should you wish, and at just £ 45 it’ s a bargain for the smooth, clear, fresh skin that you are left with.
Make-Up I’ m sure Pinterest has become your new best friend in wedding planning, and you’ ve Googled enough wedding hair and make-up pictures to last a lifetime! If your budget allows, book a makeup artist; the last thing you need on the morning of your big day is wonky eyeliner, a poor base and lashes that won’ t stick. That said, always, always book a trial. That look you’ ve become fixated on won’ t be the same when you try it – remember that you want to look like you, but the best version of you! As Gemma Morpurgo adds, don’ t forget to ask which brands your artist uses so you can treat yourself to some for touch-ups during the day. www. facebook. com / gemma. morpurgo
Hair Don’ t underestimate just how important your hair will be in bringing together your whole look for your nuptials. As hair extrodinaire Jerome Hillion( www. jeromehillionhairandmakeup. co. uk) explains,“ Now is not the time to try out a dramatic new look.” Avoid bold cuts and brash colours in the lead-up to your big day, you don’ t want to be facing a hair regret with no time to fix it! Jerome also recommends a trial and says be honest with your stylist; if they have done something that you don’ t like, tell them, but also try to use pictures as inspiration rather than final goals. Allow your stylist to work with you and your bridal party’ s hair and face shape to create unique looks that they will all be happy with.
And breathe … And so the big day will arrive – you will look and feel great. Relax into it, enjoy every moment of the preparation as well as the day itself as( EVERYONE will tell you) it goes oh so fast!
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