After The Rehearsal, But Before The Wedding

It's a Bride's worst nightmare: the wedding rehearsal was full of flubs.The Best Man could not remember where he was supposed to stand. Your Maid of Honor got lost on her way to the ceremony site. And your Flower Girl decided to play Ring Around the Rosie with the Ring Bearer instead of being quiet and still.


So what do you do now? Panic? Cry? Look at all of the mistakes as a bad omen? Nope. Instead, you need to use this time after the rehearsal and before the wedding to RELAX. Push all of the worries, stress and bad thoughts away.


Sound hard to do? It really isn't. Most rehearsals occur on the day or evening before the wedding. This means you have approximately 12 to 24 hours to calm down and pamper yourself a bit.


If you had a bad rehearsal, remember what they say in the Theater: a bad dress rehearsal means you will have a fabulous opening night! Therefore, if your rehearsal left you nervous, tell yourself that all of the "bugs" have now been worked out, and everything will run smoothly on the big day.


What if you are worried because you left some planning to the last minute, and now you are afraid of leaving something off your checklist? The bottom line is, don't sweat it. If you did not remember to do something until the night before the wedding, chances are it is something relatively small, that your guests will not miss it. YOU may notice the absence of those extra mints placed on the tables at the reception, but no one else will know.


What if it is a real emergency, like the Minister is ill, or the Caterer cannot make it? You need to reassure yourself that there are some issues you cannot control, and even the best laid plans sometimes go astray. In a case like this, do not be afraid to ask for help. Most Brides assume all of the responsibility for the wedding planning, while the Groom simply makes arrangements to pick up his Tux on time. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! If a real wedding emergency occurs the night before the wedding (and honestly, the chances of that happening are very slim!)make sure to look to your future husband, you parents, your friends for assistance. Trying to tackle a big problem by yourself will get you nowhere on your wedding eve.


What if everything is running smoothly, but you are still jumpy, edgy and nervous? Well, of course you are! Tomorrow is the biggest, most important day of your life! So celebrate this last night as a single woman by being extra nice to yourself. If at all possible, have a massage or do some Yoga. Talk to a friend. Listen to soothing classical music. Burn a candle and meditate, if you like. Whatever you do, make sure it is relaxing enough to ensure that you get a good night's sleep.