Get Your Hair Did Different // Don’t sit in that chair a week out asking for a bob when you have mermaid flowing locks to your derriere. Sometimes in the pursuit of Bridey perfection we can get a little carried away and try to ‘re-invent’ ourselves. This is not the time to be brash. Your new crop might not be all you had imagined, may not quite work with the neckline of your dress or go with the hairstyle you want to rock or hairpiece / veil you are going to be wearing. A cut also can affect the texture of your hair and just not sit as well as you had hoped.

So what should you do? Book in for a micro-trim to get rid of split ends a month before your wedding. Any extreme changes to style should happen a good 6 months + prior to your wedding.

That goes for your colour too // even if you trust your colourist more than your future Husbandido – don’t go making brash changes with your hair colour. You just don’t know how your hair will take the colour (it could be too intense or just not the expected shade) and even though the glossy magazine photo of the colour you desire looks A-MAZING, it could really not work with your skin tone.

So what should you do? Ask your colourist to pop a clear gloss on your locks for some extra shine and that fresh look. And try out any new looks you might like to adopt 4 months + prior to your wedding.

Drink like a Sailor // Apologies for the generalisation, but those sea-lovin swindlers have a reputation for downing a few beverages of the alcoholic variety. Yes, it is the season to celebrate – however it is also your time to shine. As you probably already know, alcohol carries a whole heap of empty calories that you probably don’t want to consume in the lead up to looking your absolute most bangin’ self. However did you know the short term affects? The sulfur-bearing gases and other qualities in alcohol weaken your digestive system cause super puff – that’s right, walking down the aisle with skin more puffed up than an eighties prom dress. And if that doesn’t worry you? Well it can also dilate your blood vessels which can cause your skin to throw red – red faced wedding photos are not ideal.

So what should you do? Sometimes you will be celebrating with family and friends and definitely feel the need to have a drink or two to clink glasses. Just don’t get too excited, make sure you are having a glass of water between each drink, limit yourself to no more than two and get yourself to bed nice and early.

Doing the Jane Fonda // Do not even think about starting a new workout. A pulled muscle or thrown out back can take weeks to heal. You don’t want to be limping down the aisle or having to sit out on the dance floor antics. If you do want to lose weight before your wedding, make sure your goal  is achieved prior to your last dress fitting – if you lose too much weight after your last dress fitting, you may not be able to get it altered in time.

So what should you do? If you have been sticking to an exercise regime in the lead up to your wedding, keep going with that. Think about other ‘safe’ ways to exercise and stress relieve – like a walk with a friend or a jog around your local park. And set your goals for pre-final dress fitting rather than trying a last minute attempt the week before you walk down the aisle!

Did somebody say Donatella? // Yes, Versace. We are talking about a super tan. If you have not trialled a spray tan before – no matter how natural the technician claims it will be, do NOT get a spray tan the week of your wedding without having a trial first. I have had my fair share of faux tan disasters and speak from experience! One formula can look amazing on your BFF but be the completely wrong colour on you due to your base tone.

So what should you do? Getting a make up trial before your wedding? Get a spray tan prior to that so your make up artists knows the skin tone they will be working with. Also, many make up artists ask you to not spray tan your face as it can really affect the products and colours they use, and not look so great in your photos. Always trial a spray tan until you get the right natural looking colour for your skin tone well in advance of your wedding. They take a good week to wear off so leave some time to try out 2 or 3 different formulas, and visit a reputable spray tan clinic.

We be all night // No, no. It’s ok for Beyonce and when it’s to do with love (referring to this song if that one was a little left field for you), but an all-nighter the night before your big day is not ok. Staying up ’til all hours trying to finalise the seating chart, make guest gifts and generally stressing out will have an affect on your appearance and your anxiety levels. Lack of sleep also affects your hormones – which can make us reach for junk food and fatty snacks which can make you feel flat on your big day, and could also make you quite bloated. And if that hasn’t convinced you, check this out.

So what should you do? If you haven’t got everything done the night before, either delegate or forget about it. Get an early night, surround yourself with loved ones, have a relaxing un-caffeinated tea (like peppermint or a sleepy tea) and think of all the things you love about your future husbandido as you drift off.

A new diet // Unless you are thinking of adding more fresh veggies and wholefoods into your diet, a new eating regime can be a bad idea. In particular, juice cleanses and fast days are NOT what you need right now. You need energy and to be nourished in the lead up to your wedding.

So what should you do? Keeping a balanced diet focussing on wholefoods will keep your energy levels up, not to mention help you deal with any stressful or unexpected situations that pop up. Eat often and well to maintain great focus and even better moods.

Get me a Cawfee // The urge to grab a coffee or energy drink laden with caffeine can be tempting if you are feeling a little tired, however excess caffeine is not only a stimulant, but also an irritant. This will just add to your stress, not to mention the dehydration involved that can cause dark circles under your eyes and affect the appearance of your skin.

So what should you do? Try to switch your energy drinks for a (vegetable)  juice and stick to no more than one coffee a day if you are a coffee drinker. If you like herbal teas, like peppermint or chamomile, try to add one or two of those into your daily regime (just steer clear of too much green tea as it also contains caffeine). And of course, keep up your daily intake of water.

Made Up // Sometimes Bridey’s can panic at the last moment thinking they have too little or too much make up on. Make sure you get a trial well in advance of your wedding, try out different styles while you are more calm and in a rational state of mind and take lots of photos so you remember how you looked. These days, Bridal make up needs to look good in real life, in photos, maybe on video and last for hours – so trust your make up artist. They will take into consideration your skin type, hairstyle, dress, neckline, veil and Bridey style.

So what should you do? It is all about enhancing the natural beauty you already have. Make sure you are completely happy at your trial and try to not reinvent yourself. Just promote your best bits! Your future Husbandido is marrying the real you, so don’t try to look like someone you are not.

Peel it off // Microdermabrasion and peels might be part of your skincare regime leading up to your wedding as they can lead to beautiful smooth skin in the future (head here and here to see what skincare regime could be right for you), however planning one of these the week before your wedding is a no-no. Dead skin cells can ball under your make up and not give you that fresh glow you desire and in addition, these treatments can cause redness and irritation initially. That goes for any type of injectable also if that’s how your roll. For example: Botox can leave bruising and also does not kick completely in for a couple of weeks anyway.

So what should you do? Stick to your regular skincare regime, keep your skin clean and consult your skincare technician. You may want to include an extra soothing mask (one you have tried before!) into your routine.

Skincare // And while we are on that topic… that goes for trying anything new! Just because your best friend has started to use a miracle new product, doesn’t mean it is right for your skin. Trying something new a week out from your wedding is just plain scary. Think allergic reactions or even imbalancing your skin to cause a breakout and a whole heap of other side effects that can take time to correct. Even if the product is incredibly natural, it can still have a very negative effect on your skin.

So what should you do? Stick to products you know and your regular regime. Again, keep your skin clean and drink your daily recommended amount of water.