We have a new Bridal Stylist here at The Bridal Finery and she comes with a wealth of knowledge! We are happy to introduce you to Shayna Wacker! Shayna has professional experience as a wardrobe stylist, bridal stylist, and event planner. When she isn’t here at the boutique, she is busy planning a friend’s bridal or baby shower. I reached out to Shayna for her advice to brides on wedding week. Often our brides come in the week of the wedding very overwhelmed with their list of errands. This Bridal Prep Guide is all about pampering and creating the bridal glow before the wedding day. Read through and enjoy Shayna’s top tips for orlando weddings! Love, Tali

The Ultimate Bridal Prep Guide by Shayna Wacker

So all of the planning and time spent preparing for the best day of your life is now quickly approaching and you are starting to get that ‘messy bun and getting things done’ mentality as you juggle finalizing details and answering questions that your friends and family can’t stop asking you. It can be overwhelming to say the least, but it doesn’t always have to be. Having a guide and/or checklist for you as the bride for the week of your wedding can not only do wonders for your stress level, but also gives you more time to enjoy having all of your family and friends in Orlando for this big moment. I personally had a checklist my sister in law created for me for my wedding week and I can’t tell you how much it actually saved me from forgetting things. No matter how organized a person you are, we tend to focus on everything else and forget ourselves, but you are the bride and that is something to NOT forget. Let’s get prepared! 

Head to toe preparation for Brides:

The week of your wedding should be a time for you to not only prepare the things you need for the wedding day, but also prepare yourself and your body for the big day! With that said, these are great things to have scheduled for the week of the wedding so that you are ‘bridal ready’. Face and body, the final beauty maintenance. If you plan on getting a facial, make sure it is a mild one and do it at the very beginning of the week so that your skin has time to rest and settle. Schedule your mani/pani so your hands and feet look their best. Getting a pre-wedding glow? Have your nails done beforehand and I suggest getting your glow 3-4 days prior to the wedding so that your skin has time to develop and you have the time to fix any uneven areas if any. This is also the time to touch base with your Orlando beauty team and finalize any details about your wedding day look.

The Practical Prep:

The most common things are often the ones we always forget to do, but they are also things you wish you didn’t forget. That is why having them on your ‘to do’ list is very important. Breaking in your shoes can be a gamechanger. Walking in a wedding gown for hours with shoes that you have barely walked ten feet in can lead to some not so fun moments. Remember that you are wearing these shoes all day long in photos and down the aisle. There are local shoe boutiques and repair shops in the Orlando area that can help you speed up the process with a professional shoe stretching which is great, but it is also important for you to walk around in them so you know how they feel, if you need any extra padding or grip, etc. Venues in Orlando have a wide variety of surfaces so it is always safe to know the shoes you choose are not going to be a hazard walking down the aisle. Pre-packing is another practical yet essential task to helping you be prepared for the wedding weekend. 

Pre Wedding Packing:

Obviously, your wedding gown is going to be the showstopping outfit of the weekend but let us not forget there are a few other events you have leading up to that and they all have their looks too. Having these looks prepared ahead of time and ready to pack can save you the headache of scrambling around downtown Orlando searching for shoes to wear for your rehearsal because you can’t find the original pair you chose months ago. Put together each look from head to toe including the outfit, jewelry, shoes, undergarments, even the makeup and hair essentials. If you have a makeup palette you purchased specifically for the wedding weekend or a signature lip color you know you’ll want to wear, make sure they are included so you have it all ready and waiting. Pack each look together either in garment bags or those handy packing cubes and place them in your weekend suitcase outfitted so when the time comes, nothing is missing and it’s put together neatly. Along with your outfits make sure to also pack casual lounge clothes, extra undergarments, all your facial and hair necessities, comfortable shoes like flip flops, and any other extras you want to have just in case. This little task ahead of time will make a huge difference. (Take a peek at our favorite must haves from Amazon)

Your Wedding Day Bag:

Packing a separate bag designated specifically for the wedding day can help keep you organized and save you the headache of searching through your weekend bags for what you need. Since this is for the day of and you most likely won’t be parading around your house in the wedding gown, packing the week before is a great way to avoid the stress of remembering your wedding day essentials. Creating a print out sheet in advance prior to the wedding week so you have a physical list to check off while you are packing is a great thing to do for yourself as well. I suggest having a garment bag for your wedding gown and veil and then a weekender bag for everything else. Your wedding day packing list should include your undergarments, wedding shoes, your jewelry and hair accessories, any toiletries you may need such as contact solution, toothbrush, etc., any makeup you might be bringing for your makeup artist or hair extensions you need for your hairstylist, and the outfit you will be getting ready in for your photos. Other great things to include in your bag are your wedding vows, garter, and a bridal gown touch up/sewing kit. The gown kit is definitely something I highly recommend having in your bag so you are prepared for anything. The kit should include a small sewing bundle, stain remover wipes, travel sewing scissors, static guard, and heat stitch tape. 

Final Thoughts on your Wedding Day Week:

At this point you are now primped, packed, and prepared if you have followed the suggestions I’ve gone over above. Now it is time to enjoy your wedding weekend, dance, drink, and be merry! I hope that this guide helps you feel ready for your big day and congratulations!

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