Wedding Day Countdown: How to Get Ready Without the Stress

Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the most special moments of your life, but the lead up to it, maybe not so much.

Sure, the engagement was wonderful, and your bucket was full of excitement and happy vibes in the week or so after it. But then, perhaps, the enormity of what is involved in planning a wedding came to the fore.

Organising a wedding can be very stressful, as there are so many ducks you'll have to line up in a row. Not least, finding the perfect dress, hiring a venue, sending out invites and deciding on whether you should go for a band or DJ, alternate drop or buffet menu, and who is going to be in your bridal party.

You'll also want to make sure both you and your partner look and feel your best because those wedding photos will be something you look back on for the rest of your married life together!

So, how, then, can you prepare for your special day without being overwhelmed by stress?

The answer lies in having a well-structured countdown plan that will help you navigate your way to the big day as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Here's a step-by-step guide to how to do that.

6+ Months Before the Wedding

As soon as you have become engaged, you'll need to set your wedding date and book your venue. Ideally, the more lead-up time you can do this to your special day the better because it gives you more time to play with.

However, once you have settled upon the time, date and venue, you should send out guest invites to ensure the people you really want to come have enough time to free up their diaries to attend.

You should also do a range of other activities, including:

• Look for the wedding and bridesmaid dresses and the groom's clothes

• Organise caterers for the venue (if required)

• Book a photographer and videographer

• Lock in a makeup artist and hairstylist. 

It is also a very good time to focus on the finer details, such as planning diet and fitness routines if you want to shape up for your special day.

You might also want to commit to a skincare routine to ensure yours is the best version of itself it can be, and if you want to improve the growth, volume and appearance of your hair, explore treatment options with reputable clinics like Gro Clinics.

3 Months Before the Wedding

With three months to go, it's time to focus on specifics. This might involve purchasing the wedding bands and finalising accessories like shoes, your veil, and jewellery.

You might also want to schedule a hair and makeup trial to make sure you're happy with the person you've chosen to create your bridal look.

If you haven't done this already, finalise your honeymoon plans, which may include booking flights and hotels and ensuring your travel documents are valid.

For those who want to impress with a choreographed first dance as husband and wife, you should consider taking a few lessons.

1 Month Before the Wedding

The month before your wedding will go super quick, so this is when you'll need to be on top of your game.

Perhaps the most important thing to do here is to have a final dress fitting, as you'll want to make sure it looks perfect for your big day.

You should also confirm RSVPs for any guests who haven't responded yet and break in your wedding shoes, as the last thing you'll want on your wedding evening is blisters!

It is a good idea to create a wedding day timeline of all the events that need to happen and share it with key people, including your photographer, wedding planner, and bridal party.

Additionally, if needed, get a hair trim, refresh your colour, and schedule a final facial - but avoid harsh treatments close to the wedding.

If you're writing your own vows, now is the time to finalise them, as you'll want to be able to fully express what your partner's love meets to you.

1 Week Before the Wedding

The week before the wedding is the home stretch, and you will want to ensure everything is in place.

For this reason, for your own peace of mind, you should confirm all the bookings you have made with the venue, your caterers, photographer, and band to avoid any last-minute stress.

It is also a good idea to put together a wedding day contingency pack, which may include safety pins, blotting papers, lip balm, and pain relievers that could come in useful if a minor emergency happens.

Should time permit, a nice thing to do might be to treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure or other acts of self-care.

It is also vital to drink plenty of water and get as much sleep as you can to prepare yourself for your special day.

The Night Before the Wedding

This is your last night as a fiancée, so make sure it is a relaxing one!

Have a massage and/or a warm bath, or do some yoga or meditation to clear your mind and calm your nerves. Try watching a film that will make you laugh, or better still, take the time to look over some old photos on your phone of the fun times you and your partner have had since you met.

Before going to sleep, ensure you have everything laid out, including your dress, accessories, and any other essentials, ready to go for the next day.

The Big Day

Your wedding day is here, so soak in every moment!

It is going to be a full-on day, so it is a good idea to have a few minutes to yourself in the morning just to prepare yourself for what's to come.

You will also need to have a good breakfast to give you the energy to face the long day ahead. If the wedding jitters have well and truly kicked in, try listening to some calming music before the chaos begins!