Wedding Season: Eight Ways to Prep with Crest
I checked my mail today and I have yet another wedding Save the Date! I’m so excited for all of my close friends and family tying the knot this year; they’re all truly beautiful couples. Bachelorette parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and walks down the aisle are all in my future. I’ll be a bridesmaid in two weddings this Summer and a guest in another wedding in Nashville with close family friends.
I’ve been to quite a few weddings at this point in my life, and so I always have a few things that are on the checklist as the events get closer. Whether you’re a guest or standing next to your best girl on the big day, here’s where to start after you’ve marked your calendar:
Smile Bright
Coffee and wine will always be a part of my life, especially during wedding season. For years, I’ve been using Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips leading up to big events and important trips. This year is no different. Two weeks before I have to be camera ready, I start my routine of wearing the whitestrips for 30 minutes a day. I usually put them on when I’m getting ready or checking my email first thing in the morning. I barely notice them because there are no messy gels or trays, and they are super lightweight and portable. After my time is done, I peel them off, swish some water in my mouth, and head out the door. It’s simple, safe, and effective – just peel, apply, and reveal. You can pick up a pack at Target.
Get a Glow
Once your smile is bright, think about your skin. The smartest trick to ensure you will look your best in photos is to have a tan. Instead of risking a burn, I’ll be calling Erin from Pradas Glow to come to my apartment and get me a glow. She and the founder of Pradas work with Victoria Secret models and Ariana Grande. Look for spray tan artists who contour and use organic products, so you’re looking slim and don’t have to worry about any reactions. Make sure to book a spray tan a couple days before the wedding so it sets in and doesn’t transfer onto your dresses. Bonus prep tip: Wear your Crest 3D WhiteStrips while you get a spray tan. It takes about 30 minutes, too!
Alter Your Dress
Speaking of dresses, I already have both of my bridesmaid dresses. I love that I got that out of the way early. It’s important to do this ahead of time because I often need to make tweaks. I have to alter both dresses this year. I will also need to get shoes of a certain height to ensure the dresses don’t drag. I plan to get my shoes and take my dress into the seamstress 2 months before the weddings. No stressing here!
Get Your Accessories
Whether you’re a wedding guest or a bridesmaid, don’t forget about your jewelry. We women tend to spend a lot of time picking out a dress for the event and forget about the jewelry. If you’re dress has a lot of character, keep it simple. I love my Maslo Flat Hoop Earrings. If you’re a bridesmaid, talk with your bride about her vision for jewelry. She may have some specific ideas, so be sure to check in first. You may be able to have a little fun if she’s laid back. I still recommend going simple, yet bold to make sure the bride shines.
Budget for the Big Stuff
If you’re a bridesmaid like me, then you know a bachelorette trip is in the works. So are bridal showers, bridesmaid dresses, weekend accommodations for the wedding, and more. As planning begins for different events, make sure you plan months in advance, especially if travel is involved. For someone who travels a lot, I know it isn’t cheap. My recent trip to Las Vegas was no exception to this rule. But, we started talking about it probably six months in advance and I felt prepared. We all split the costs of rooms, events, experiences, and dinners ahead of time. One bridesmaid cancelled at the last minute because of the cost and it really hurt all of our pocket books.
Acquire a Gift
I don’t know why but this one always slips my mind. This year, I want to make sure I show up with the gift. I rarely order from the registry of the couple. I do take a look, though, to get a sense of what they are looking for. I head into a local store like Mongrel or Crème de la Crème to get something with a twist. If you forget it the day of, the rule is that you have six months to gift the couple!
Pack Your Bags
Get your bags ready with all the necessities for the most fun and the best photos:
- Rehearsal Dinner Dress
- Bridesmaid Dress
- Sunday travel outfit
- Pajamas
- Makeup (even if you’re getting your makeup done!)
- Jewelry
- Safety Pins
- Crest 3D WhiteStrips (bring enough to share when you get ready!)
- Camera
- Double sided fashion tape
- Heels and Flats (for when your feet get tired!)
- Small Gift for the other bridesmaids
- Gifts for the couple of the day
- Eye mask for naps and sleeping in
- A bluetooth speaker
A Positive Attitude
I’ve been doing special events for years for work and I’ve also met a grumpy bridesmaid or two. People who bring down morale of the group can really impact the whole day. Bring a positive attitude, even if you’re going through something! Take a pause and breathe deeply whenever you need to. It helps you solve problems faster and helps your dear friends and family have fun filled day. No matter what happens, everything will turn out okay! Make your positive vibes infectious.
The past few months have flown by with all of this wedding prep, and I am getting excited to be part of everyone’s big day! I have seen great results from Crest 3D Whitestrips in 14 days, which is the photo above. I’m looking forward to smiling big and making memories.
Thank you to Ashley of Sound Snap Photo for these images!
Bonus: These are actually two of the dresses I’m wearing as a bridesmaid this year!
