The Night Before Your Wedding: The Do’s and Don’ts You Need To Know
The night before your wedding will undoubtedly be filled with both excitement and nerves, it is natural! Luckily, we have created a complete list of both do’s and don’ts to help guide and enlighten you on how to best prepare for your special day the night before your wedding.
What you SHOULD DO the night before your wedding
Check out our lists of things that you should be doing the night before your wedding to make waking up on your wedding morning the best experience of your life!
1) Eat a healthy meal
Although it may be tempting to order a takeaway or to indulge in a fattening home cooked meal, the night before your wedding should be filled with healthy foods. Healthy foods are proven to help the body function properly and will provide you with the energy you need on your wedding day. Eating healthy foods will also help prevent any bloating or stomach problems on the morning of your wedding.
2) Drink a lot of water
Think of water as your second maid of honour. Water provides many benefits to the body, including the ability to flush out toxins, prevent headaches or cramps and improve skin complexion- all vital for your wedding prep. We advise keeping a cold glass of water nearby to avoid dehydration.
3) Get an early and a good night’s sleep
The last thing you want is to be tired on the morning of your wedding day. Even if you are filled with excitement and nerves your top priority should be getting as early night as possible. To help your self fall asleep ensure that you are in bed at a reasonable time. Reading a book or listening to a podcast helps shut the brain off, as opposed to watching the TV or scrolling through social media.
Another important factor is to consider the bed that you will be sleeping in. Make sure you know it is comfy and not a makeshift place for the night.
4) Turn your phone on silent or off
One of the best ways to calm the mind is to detach yourself from your phone. If you are worried about not being easily contacted, pass your phone over to your maid of honour or the mother of the bride to ensure you are always accessible if need be.
5) Gather a survival kit
An emergency kit is always a good idea both for you and your bridal party. We suggest stocking it with hairbands, hair clips, plasters, pain medication, safety pins, mints, lipstick, and small bottles of water! This way, you will be ready for any little mishaps that are thrown at you on your wedding day.
6) Grab flip-flops
If you do not own a pair already, make sure you have purchased some comfortable flip-flops. Although your wedding shoes may be the most beautiful pieces of footwear ever created, a wedding is a long day that is bound to take its toll on your feet. Having a pair of flip-flops at hand means you can make the switch.
7) Withdraw some cash
It is always advisable to withdraw some cash before your wedding day. This helps accommodate for any unseen surprises which may include tipping a vendor or paying for a round of drink. Even if you do not spend it, it is better to be prepared than caught short.
8) Watch something that will get you laughing
Your mind is probably racing with wedding stress. The night before the wedding, it is important to realise everything will be fine and has already been planned. Distract yourself by watching a movie or series which is going to make you laugh, taking away the niggling feeling you have forgotten something. If you want to keep to the wedding theme, why not watch Bridesmaids, Monster-In-Law, Bride Wars or The Wedding Planner.
9) Make sure the shoe fits
Why not get in that last bit of practice and ‘wearing in’ by walking in your wedding shoes around the house/hotel. Whilst wearing the shoes, why not dance your stresses away by blaring some music. Not only will this de-stress you, it will prepare you for all the dancing you will be doing tomorrow.
10) Keep up with your nightly beauty rituals
Most brides create and develop a new night-time routine in preparation for the wedding… keep at it for the last night! Like the pre-wedding diet, that last night can make a big difference or maintain all the effort you have put in so far. We are sure you do not want to not apply the moisturiser you have been using for the last 3 months, then you wake up with a huge spot on your face. Leave no room for error to jeopardise your big day, that includes your beauty routine.
11) Write and exchange a love note with your groom
Why not write a quick love note to your groom to express everything you are feeling right now- both the excitement, as well as the nerves? They are most likely feeling the same way, so as well as a reassurance for them, it is a great method to get everything out which you are internally brewing. Your groom will most likely be your comfort blanket, therefore receiving a love note from him will provide you with the support and reassurance you need to sleep well that night.
12) Get in one last kiss
Why not sneak in one last kiss as boyfriend and girlfriend before you blossom into husband and wife. Not only will this steady your nerves, it will also make you more excited for the transition into a married couple!
What you SHOULD NOT DO the night before your wedding
Below are some things you should avoid the night before your wedding, or you risk waking up with a nasty surprise!
1) Do not overthink
There is no use in thinking about all the things you could have done differently. You have done all the planning you could, and we are sure you will have an amazing day! If something bad does occur, it will be your bridal party led by your maid of honour that will resolve the situation to the best of their ability, without you having a clue. The night before is the ideal time to sit back, relax and start getting excited about your big day.
2) Do not try to finish any wedding planning
Everything should be complete now, nothing that you add, remove or tweak can be implemented overnight. Leave everything and focus on YOU. Some of the worst things to do the night before are to try and complete random tasks including writing your vows or finalising the seating chart. All should have been completed days, even weeks before the wedding date! Take this time to have some ‘me-time’.
3) Do not party too hard
Excessive alcohol consumption before the big day is a big no-no. You will want to feel at your best and a hangover does not allow this to be possible. Alcohol is also a cause of bloating. If you drink to excess, there is the risk of not fitting in your dress. This is a special occasion so you should definitely celebrate but remember your limits and do not get carried away.
TIP: drink the same amount of water (or more if you can) of water, it is the dehydration mainly which makes you feel ill, therefore if you drink plenty of water you should be ok.
4) Do not try to do a last-minute tan – regardless if it is fake or not!
There are two routes you can take with a last-minute tan – being as red as a lobster or have crazy tan lines, both not cute. If you are having a destination wedding, we cannot stress enough the importance of not risking tanning your skin just before you are about to have copious photos and video content taken of you. We are sure a burnt nose is something you do not want to look back on.
TIP: Have a spray tan two days before the wedding. The ‘three showers’ rule is your best option as it balances and neutralises the colour on the skin!
5) Do not try new food
New food is risky for your stomach, it is not the time to be trying that new curry recipe you borrowed from Jane. A belly ache is not ideal the night before or the day of the wedding, therefore, stick to what you know!
6) Do not try any new products
Like food, new products run the risk of reacting with your skin. You will want the best version of your skin as possible therefore leave no room for a nasty rash or spots to appear. Keep at the beauty routine which you have in place.
The do’s and don’ts for the night before your wedding
We hope that our blog has helped advice and guide you to wake up feeling the best version of your self possible on the day of your wedding. If you need any additional help with your wedding, why not check out our list of handpicked wedding suppliers in Essex and the surrounding areas.