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Okay, brides, raise your hand if you’ve used Google to help plan your wedding!

Chances are, both of your hands are high in the sky in full praise fashion and I’m right there with ya, sister.

From looking up vendors (because the phone book is SO last decade) to looking up tips and tricks that will help your wedding day go more smoothly, Google has it all! Alas, Google doesn’t have to be your only source of good information. The good information in this post is five totally legit bridal beauty hacks that will make you enjoy your big day a hundred times more!

This post has been in the works since a bridal session I documented one chilly fall morning. Madison, my bride, left me with a good tip for braving the cold and so began my roundup for some of the best bridal hacks out there. Hand picked from my own experience, other brides, and, you guess it, Google, here are some of the best (and my favorite) beauty tips for brides:

#1 Wear Perfume That Repels Mosquitos

Are you taking advantage of the warmer months by having an outdoor wedding (or perhaps an adventure elopement? *wink*)? The last thing you want to worry about is fending off bugs, or not and itching up a storm, while you’re saying “I do”. If you don’t like the thought of smelling like Eau De OFF!, you can use a perfume that will keep you smelling sweet for your honey and not the bugs. Check out this article from FabFitFun for a list of perfumes that double as insect repellent (Hint: Victoria’s Secret is on the list)!

 

 

#2 Layer Leggings Under Your Dress For Extra Warmth

Here’s one for the cooler months! I learned this while working with Madison during her bridal session – Wear a pair of compression leggings under your dress for some extra warmth. The compression will allow your dress to slide right over without adding any weird creases or bunches in the material. This hack is especially awesome for an adventure elopement because you can explore, hike, etc. in your leggings and a top, then just take your top off and slide your dress on when you get to your destination!

Side note – Leave your hiking boots on and your hair tussled for an extra romantically rugged look!

#3 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Especially the night before!! Meeting your daily water intake (about 64oz or 8, 8oz glasses) has a lot benefits, one of them being beautiful skin! Drinking water naturally moisturizes your skin and flushes out toxins, which leaves you with a brighter complexion, reduced acne, and no puffiness. If you’re not crazy about the plain taste of water, add a few slices of fresh lemon or lemon juice to give it some zest!

 

 

#4 Break Your Shoes In

…At least a month before. Whether you’ll be sporting hiking boots or heels, it’s important to not overlook this tip, I speak from personal experience on this one! Not only will breaking in your shoes make you feel more confident about walking in them, but your feet will thank you! I wore my heels for the first time one week before our wedding and it left my feet so blistered that I was actually bleeding and had to wear bandaids to make it through the ceremony. After the ceremony, my country girl came out and I went barefoot from the first dance to the grand exit! Do not make the same mistake!

 

 

#5 Don’t Stress

I completely understand that this one can be easier said than done because you’re committing to a lifetime with your love and you want it to be perfect! Trust the people around you to guide you through the day, get plenty of rest, enjoy a glass of champagne, and relax as much as you can. Not being wound up over every detail will allow you to glow from the inside out and enjoy every second of your day that will be over in the blink of an eye.

These bridal beauty hacks are so practical and they can be used for your traditional wedding or your adventure elopement! Of course, they may not have the power to make or break your wedding (with the exception of #5 because stress is a tricky monster), but they do have the power to make it much more enjoyable. Combine these beauty hacks with my tips on preparing for next shoot and you will be golden come your wedding day – Literally!

Do you have an awesome beauty hack that helped you through your wedding? Share it with me in the comments below for other brides to read!