BREAK IN YOUR WEDDING SHOES

 More than likely, you have purchased an amazing pair of new shoes for your special day, you’ve tried them on in the shop, taken them for a spin around the sitting room at home and then popped them back into their original box, not to be opened until your wedding day. That’s a mistake. About two weeks beforehand take them out of their box and pop them on in the evenings at home to break them in, trust us, you’ll be so glad to have gotten the blisters out of the way before your wedding day. 

BEAUTY BEAUTY BEAUTY

You’ll be very busy the last two weeks as a single gal (or guy) with all your beauty appointments. Your final facial will take place (about 2 weeks beforehand), book your waxing for 2 days beforehand, your toes, nails and tan for the day before. Finish off your hair trials and if you’re still unsure have one last trial the week of to confirm the style is right for you on your wedding day. If you are having eyelash extensions or hair extensions get them working into the schedule also. 

MAKE YOUR DIAMONDS SPARKLE

Take your engagement and wedding ring to the jewellers a few days before your wedding to get them cleaned again. You want them to be shining off your fingers as you walk down the aisle. You won’t do this too often in your married life but for the day that’s in it, make sure they are spick and span.

HONEYMOON SHOPPING

With all the excitement of the wedding day, plans for the honeymoon are often overshadowed by it. You don’t get time to enjoy the build-up to the honeymoon because all your energy is going into planning the wedding but, it’s your honeymoon, so a new holiday wardrobe is in order if you are going to a sunny destination. Steal a few hours online to order the last few bits (do this about 10 days out to make sure they arrive). Or, even better, grab a few hours alone time and head to your nearest shopping mall so you can buy everything you need under one roof. It will get you in holiday mode faster.

DINNER ALONE WITH YOUR OTHER HALF

Everyone will want to be a part of your final day as a singleton so the fortnight leading up to your wedding day will be manic, we promise! But it’s imperative to book a dinner out (or at home) with just your fiancé(e) so you can run over some last-minute details without interruption. Check in with each other to make sure you are both on the same page, both of your wants and needs are met regarding the day and how it will go and most of all, take some time (usually around dessert time) to appreciate one another, and remember why you are getting married to each other in the first place. 

PACK FOR YOUR WEDDING

Aside from your honeymoon packing (that’s a whole other article), make sure you pack everything you need for the day itself, the overnight stay at the hotel, your clothes for breakfast the next morning and the outfit you’ll need for your day 2 party (assuming you are having a day 2). If you have kids, and they are also staying, have everything you need to pack for them early in the week also. The less packing stress you have the few days beforehand the better. You’ll be busy with other stuff. 

CHECK IN WITH WEDDING SUPPLIERS

Spend the two weeks checking in with ALL your wedding suppliers to make sure they are still good to go for your date and if they need anything from you. Some will require payment beforehand; others will accept cash on the day. Check in with timelines so they are there at the times you need them. Ask your photographer, videographer and wedding celebrant if they wish to have a meal or anything else. It’s an especially long day for the photographer and videographer who are with you from start to finish. 

GET YOUR ENVELOPES READY

Speaking of paying wedding suppliers, take a trip to the bank to get the cash you need for each supplier and pop the relevant amounts in an envelope with their names on it. Usually, the Bestman is responsible for seeing everyone is paid on the day, so you don’t have to worry about it from here. 

WORK ON YOUR SPEECH

You can skip this one if you are not planning to do a speech but if you are then, take a few evenings alone at night to think about what you will say and jot down some ideas on paper. Do you want to keep it light-hearted and funny? Are you a funny person? Or do you want to go deep and sentimental and stir up a few tears. There is room for both also but warning, you are toying with people’s emotions here so keep it light-hearted enough. You certainly don’t want to ruin your make up! 

PACK THE CAR

If you have a lot of DIY stuff to bring to the wedding venue (or even just your mass booklets and wedding party gifts) then pop them in the car a day or two beforehand. Keep them all securely in the boot and double check everything before you leave for set up. If you have big items, make sure the van organised to bring them will be on time. 

CHECK IN WITH YOUR BRIDAL PARTY

The day before send out a text to all your wedding party to make sure they are all feeling good, if they need anything and if they have any questions. More than likely you’ll all meet up anyway at your house or hotel the morning of the wedding but a text the day before would be nice. 

BUY YOUR WEDDING PERFUME

Your wedding perfume is very special. It’s the perfume you’ll always associate with the best day of your life so sneak away into town to your local pharmacy or department store and shop the perfect scent for you. It would be nice to get something different from what you normally wear. The shop assistants will advise you on which sent is the best and you take it from there. 

TRIAL RUN

Try on your dress and shoes (don’t wear fake tan or make up while doing so) to make sure everything fits like a glove one last time. Have your husband do the same. If suits must be collected, then ensure that’s done 2-3 days beforehand. We mentioned above to make sure you have your final hair and make-up trial done and dusted also. You will also probably have a ceremony rehearsal two days beforehand (this usually only happens if it is a church ceremony) so book that into your schedule also. 

FINISH UP WORK

You will probably finish work a week beforehand but make sure to close off any lingering issues, so they aren’t on your mind the week leading up to your big day. Remove your email app from your phone and, if you have a separate work phone, pop it in a drawer and close it until you are back from honeymoon. This time is all about you and your other half, the outside world doesn’t count now. 

RELAX AND ENJOY

It’s not always easy, depending on your personality, but you must ensure you relax into the lead up to your wedding. If you can, book a day at the Spa to chill you out and create a much-needed relaxing space. Spend some time in the present moment and not forward thinking into your big day. The lead up to it is just as fun as the day itself so MILK IT as much as you can! Now go off and get married and have lots and lots of FUN!