Getting engaged and planning a wedding is one of the most exciting things you will do in your life. As if that isn't enough, when your wedding day nears, you will need to focus on your beauty, hairstyle and makeup needs.

How you look on your wedding day will be the single most important thing people will remember. Photographs and videos will document your glory and bring pride when walking down memory lane. Plan your hairstyle and makeup ahead of time and you will look simply radiant.

Getting plenty of beauty sleep is the secret to not only how you will look on your wedding day, but how you will feel. This doesn't mean just the night before you get married -- it means the entire week.

While planning on beauty rest and getting your beauty rest are two different things, make it a priority to get a full night's sleep, every night. Keep any daytime naps to a minimum so they don't interfere with your ability to get that nighttime shut-eye.

Pamper yourself every night with a warm bubble bath before bed. Get out the candles and wine if necessary to set a relaxing atmosphere. Turn on the answering machine to field phone calls and ask family members not to be disturbed.

Your mind may be racing, so keep a notepad on your nightstand so you can jot down ideas and to-dos, so it won't keep you awake at night. Just knowing you won't forget the small stuff will give you piece of mind.

Eat healthy and choose your foods carefully in the days leading up to your wedding. Now is not the time for a crash diet. Just be sensible and you won't sacrifice your health over a couple of extra pounds.

Avoid any foods known to cause bloating and gas.

You're going to want to look beautiful, so take into consideration if your wedding is scheduled for a day or night event. If your wedding takes place in the daytime hours, your make up should look natural. When the night falls and the party begins, touch up your make up with darker shades if you like. 

Makeup is often overlooked when planning your wedding, people always remember their hair, but don’t realize that, to look good in your Wedding Photos, you really need to have good photographic makeup applied…what you may not notice with your naked eye will be captured forever by the camera, possibly belying the beauty of the blushing bride…

On the morning of your wedding, make sure your skin is well moisturised about 10 minutes before applying your make-up. I always recommend that you have your hair done before your Make-up. 

Follow my directions in “Makeup" (article) and remember that for the photographs you must take extra care when using light reflective foundation and concealer. A lot of women pile on the YSL Touche Elcat, in the misunderstanding that it is a concealer, when actually, it’s job is to “put light” in to dark areas…Don’t do it! You may look good to the naked eye, but it will show up too white in your photos and you could look like you have puffy eyebags!

• Consider having your makeup applied by a professional. Schedule a trial run.
   
• Exfoliate your skin and follow up with a toner.

• Your foundation should blend in with your skin tone. Blend it into your neck to avoid embarrassing lines.

• Neutral tones are the best for daytime. 

• Use an eyelash curler to make your lashes appear longer.

• Waterproof mascara and eyeliner is a must! Brown/black will flatter both blondes and brunettes.

• To prevent clumping, don't use old mascara.

• Avoid a shiny face. Powder your face with loose translucent powder after you apply your foundation. Take along pressed powder for touch ups. This is especially important for your wedding photographs.

• Stay away from crème eye shadow. You need some staying power, so stick with powder.

• Apply lip liner under matte lipstick.

• Keep your foundation light to avoid any streaking and check it outdoors or in bright light when you're finished.

Your headpiece will play a large role in your hair style choice so pick it up from the bridal shop as soon as possible. 

Take it with you to your salon for a beauty consultation about one month before your wedding. Your stylist will then be able to determine when you should get your hair trimmed and how to style your hair to compliment your headpiece.

Generally, if you need a trim, one week before your wedding is sufficient. If you're going for a hair cut or total change, try this two to three weeks before your wedding so you have time to adjust.

Don't choose a hairstyle that makes you feel not yourself. Brides often get pressured into certain styles because of "tradition". If a particular style makes you feel uneasy, don't choose it. It does not matter that your mother, best friend or hairstylist like it - what really matters is YOU.

Which stylist? Make bookings for consultations with more than one stylist well in advance and decide on the one you feel most comfortable with. You should be able to express your likes and dislikes without feeling awkward.

Before going to the stylist, try to develop a good idea of what type of hairstyle you would like. Cut out the pictures of your favorite hairstyles from magazines and bring them to the stylist. If you can't find any pictures, be prepared to describe exactly what you want.

At the "practice run", bring a Polaroid or digital camera to take instant pictures. Ask the stylist to take pictures from the back and other angles. The pictures will give you a better idea how the style would look to others

Take a picture of your wedding dress along to your stylist. This will greatly help the process along. Also take your veil with you, and let the stylist know what kind of wedding you are having: formal, informal, evening, daytime. Alternatively, consult with your stylist before deciding on your headpiece.

*If you are interested in a new cut or color to your hair, don't wait until right before your wedding. Make the changes during the initial consultation with the stylist, so that you don't have any unpleasant surprises down the road.

* After you have decided on your style, make sure you walk around with it. Your wedding day will be a long one and you certainly don't want an uncomfortable hair do causing irritation!

*Watch out for chemicals
Don't have any coloring or chemical treatments done right before the wedding - these can go wrong, and there won't be time to fix them! Do them several weeks in advance.

*Stay consistent
Don't make drastic changes. Your wedding day is not the time to color your hair in a completely different color or cut off long locks. After all, you would still want people to recognize you at your own wedding!

*Beware of the height effect
Be aware that up dos will make you look taller. Depending on your situation, it might work for you or against you. If you are already taller than the groom or are the same height, don't do an up do. If you are short, use the up do to your advantage.

*Always carry a comb and pocket-sized can of hairspray with you or have your personal attendant carry it for you.

* Stay out of the wind as much as possible.

Bobby pin

*Have extra bobby pins on hand for emergencies.

* When you get your final trim or haircut, get your eyebrows shaped. Have them touched up when you get your hair styled for your wedding.

Bridesmaid

Don't forget your bridesmaids. Let their styles compliment your own.

Groomsman

Remind the groomsmen and ushers to get in for routine hair cuts the week of the wedding.

Make sure you choose a trusted friend or relative to be your personal attendant. She will be a key player in your sanity and can carry along a larger handbag to store essentials like a spare pair of panty hose, tissue, needle and thread, make-up, hairspray and Tylenol.

Bottled water may not sound good now, but will definitely save your makeup if your facility has drinking fountains. Prepare your personal attendant's list ahead of time -- so your not left at the altar without lipstick and other essentials.

Loss weight

The big day is in a few months and you want to get in shape.  The thought of squeezing into a pair of spandex shorts is enough to drive anyone's motivation down!  However, you have to remember that this your big day.  So, girls, it's time to get motivated!  Below you'll find a list of helpful tips to get you started on a workout program.

• Do not put pressure on yourself to lose the weight.  Planning a wedding is already stressful enough - you don't need the added pressure!

• If you don't workout and are not sure where to begin, start with a walk.  Walking is simple, inexpensive and you can do it anywhere!  Set goals - walk for 20 minutes one day and add five minutes to your walk the next time.  Or time yourself - see how far you can walk in 30 minutes and see if you can walk further the next time.  Reaching your goals will keep you motivated.  Not only does walking get you in shape, but it also reduces stress.

• Join a gym.  Not only can you workout with all the equipment, you'll find lots of great classes, such as: step aerobics, spinning, yoga, kickboxing, and sculpt classes.  Working out will help you lose the fat and gain muscle (remember - muscle burns fat!).

• If you can't get motivated, hire a personal trainer.  He/she will be sure to push you harder than you would push yourself!

• Feel like exercising is a chore?  Then take up a sport!  Why not join a softball team?  Or how about volleyball or basketball?  Lots of local schools have evening classes that include these sports.  Perhaps your place at work has a team you can join.

• Talking with friends will also keep you motivated.  There are also many chat rooms on the internet that will keep you motivated. Hearing their stories will inspire you.

• As you start to lose weight, focus on the positive.  Don't focus on how much more you have to lose.  Give yourself the credit you deserve for all the hard work you've done.

After exercising for a few weeks, you'll start to notice a change in both your body and your spirit.  Feeling better about yourself will relieve any stress.  In turn, making your wedding planning a bit easier!