Some brides spend so much time stressing out about all the things they need to do before their big day that they often forget (or are blissfully unaware of) all the things they should not. From the obvious to the not so obvious at all, here are 10 things you'll want to avoid doing at all costs the night before you walk down the aisle.
1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
It's not worth it. "At the end of the day, you've got to take a step back and realize you've done all that you can to plan and prepare," points out event designer Veronica Cole. "Tomorrow is a big day and what ever happens, happens. You can't control everything." And hey, that's alright.
2. Don't try to finish DIY projects.
For the sanity of yourself and those around you, do not wait until the very last minute to assemble all of your DIY projects, warns celebrity wedding and event specialist Donnie Brown. "Try to delegate responsibilities to your family or bridal party if you need some assistance well in advance."
3. Don't write your own vows.
If you plan on writing your own vows or giving a speech at the wedding, Shawn Rabideau, president of Shawn Rabideau Events & Design, strongly suggests not picking up a pen for the first time the night before. Or worse, staying up all night just to make your words sound perfect! "You'll be too stressed out and emotional," he notes. "Try doing it several weeks, or at the very least several days, prior to your wedding."
4. Don't finalize the seating chart.
According to Rabideau, your seating chart should be finalized at least two weeks in advance. Of course, unforeseen circumstances may arise requiring you to make last-minute adjustments, but otherwise there's no excuse for putting it off.
5. Don't party too hard at the rehearsal dinner.
"Alcohol can make you feel bloated and tired," cautions Sunny Ravanbach, president of White Lilac Events. "If you do decide to drink, however, be sure to drink equal amounts of water. Also, make sure you get plenty of beauty sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed the following day," she advises.
See More: 10 Foods to Avoid Before Your Wedding
6. Don't sunbathe.
Unless you want to look like a burnt lobster or could care less about crazy tan lines, it's probably best to avoid soaking up too much sun the day before you get hitched (especially if you're having a destination wedding). "Most of my brides are from up north and don't realize how powerful the sun's rays are here in the tropics so they burn easily," explains Florida Keys wedding planner Lynn D'Ascanio of D'Asigner Events. "I tell them no more than 30 minutes total the day before." As for spray tans, those are a no-no the day prior as well.
7. Don't change your skincare routine.
Breakouts and allergic reactions on your big day? No thanks! While some brides think getting a facial or chemical peel the day before will help them achieve that bridal glow, the truth is these procedures often take a couple weeks to a month to yield results, points out Kristen Ley, owner of Something New for I Do. "If you don't give it enough time, your skin will be irritated, peeling and most likely broken out as you're purifying it of the buildup and toxins."
8. Don't try new foods.
"Your wedding day is definitely not the time to have major digestive issues after consuming something that doesn't agree with you," warns Greg Jenkins, founder of Bravo Productions.