Do's & Don'ts for the Night Before Your Wedding

Don't drink a lot of alcohol at the rehearsal dinner. Limit yourself to a glass of wine or champagne for toasting at dinner. Instead, drink plenty of water – it will make you feel and look good for your wedding day.

Do eat a good dinner. Don’t just nibble – you’ll need plenty of energy for the day ahead. Stay away from spicy foods or rich, heavy desserts. They may give you indigestion and stop you from getting a good night’s sleep.

Don't go out after the rehearsal dinner. There will be lots of friends, relatives and out-of-town guests that will want to see you – but resist the temptation and go home directly after the rehearsal dinner.

After the rehearsal dinner, do spend time with people that are close to you… your parents, your bridesmaids or your fiancé. Try not to be around people that can be annoying or cause you any stress.

In addition, do spend some quiet time alone to meditate or visualize your wedding day. Try taking an aromatherapy bath with fragrant candles and soft music and just relax! Use this time to really visualize your wedding day. Picture it clearly (with details) in your mind – everything flowing perfectly!

Don't over do it! The night before the wedding is not the time to be putting together your favors or to begin packing for the honeymoon. Make sure you plan accordingly and have everything done before the rehearsal dinner – if not, ask for help!!

Do go to sleep early. This may be difficult with all of the excitement. Allow yourself some time to wind down after the rehearsal dinner and before you climb under the covers. Do something you enjoy that relaxes you, such as reading a book or listening to soothing music. The bath may help you get drowsy!

 

The Day Before, Submitted by our Readers

Spending the night before my wedding in a hotel with my matron of honor and my bridesmaids. Getting dressed together in the morning was such fun. We were telling jokes and laughing until it was time to leave. - Shirley

 

Although I was already living with my fiancé, I decided it might be a good idea to stay with my mother the night before the wedding. I was really nervous about it, my mom can be an absolute nut. But I'm so glad I stayed with her, she really made my day. We got up the next morning, took in a Jacuzzi and talked about life and current family events, etc. She helped me roll my (very long) hair and she was so sweet and wonderful to me. It is a memory I will treasure always. Even if a bride doesn't have her mother with her, or want to stay with her the night before, I highly recommend that she stay with a mature close "mentor" woman the night before her wedding! - Christy

 

Spending the night before the wedding in a house with my bridesmaids and four other girlfriends from college. In the morning, we put on fuzzy robes and upbeat music and curled up on the couches drinking mimosas and eating bagels while we took turns getting hair and make-up done. - Erin

 

On Friday morning (the day before the wedding) my husband took his parents out for breakfast and I took my parents out for breakfast - alone. It was great to spend a few moments with them. - Angela