First, congratulations! And just so you know, we think you look great. And, obviously, so does your fiancé, or you wouldn’t be sporting a gorgeous rock on your left hand right now. So, yay you! But we also know that there can be a certain…anxiety?…about the thought of parading up the aisle in front of all your nearest and dearest, encased in nothing but a wisp of white satin and lots of good wishes. So, with this in mind, we’ve devised a few tips to help you prepare yourself for the big day – and, of course, that dress. So relax and read on: we’ve got you covered!

 

Pick a Plan, Any Plan

If you want to look your longest, leanest and – let’s face it – your hottest, in white, then you’re going to need to be fully toned up (or at least as toned as it’s realistic to expect yourself to be – this is, after all, a time to celebrate your good fortune, not a time to kill yourself at the gym).

Firstly, there is no such thing as spot toning. Run a mile from any studio which promises that. But! Working out actually can be fun – and here are some options you might not have considered before.

Hot yoga:

Feel the burn in a whole new way as you sweat the pounds off a la Gwyneth and Madonna.

 

Rock and Roll Yoga:

Only in D.C. at this time, but a whale of a workout with a sizzling teacher. If you’re near the beltway, check it out! Visit www.rockandrollyoga.com for info.

 

Ballroom dancing:

The Dancing With the Stars girls have made believers of us all - and this workout has another benefit if you can drag Him along: you might be able to actually dance the first dance. Talk about multi-tasking!

 

The Big Guns

If you’re not in it for the long haul, but need a quick fix (and these are quick, mind you – they will not last very long), you may be able to fix a short-term problem – water retention, anyone? - with these solutions.

Wrap it Up:

Body wraps can lose you inches in the (very) short term, and can be a saving grace for bloated brides. Your local top spa probably offers a body wrapping service with mud, salts, or essential oils. Also, Victoria Morton offers a body wrap that really is quite astounding – visit www.suddenlyslender.com to find a salon with the service near you.

And, while you’re at the spa, try out a Vichy shower (also sometimes called a Vichy exfoliation.) Not for the faint of heart, this steam, salt, water treatment will really get sluggish fat deposits on the run.

 

Lotions and Potions:

We all know that beauty is only skin deep, right? Not always: some creams actually do seem to work beneath the epidermis to smooth away lumps and bumps, which can only be a good thing for girls in white satin. I love Clarins Total Body Lift; and Philosophy’s Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion.

 

Under Cover

Half the battle to looking great on the big day is good posture (and maybe washboard abs). The other half? Comes from the store. As every model knows, it’s what’s underneath that really counts.

So here’s a tip: go get yourself a truly awesome bra. Not (necessarily) a “pretty” bra – you can change into your nice lingerie after the reception – but a true miracle of modern engineering. Seriously: the right undergarments can give anyone a figure to kill for. Brides, especially, need to be fitted by a real expert. If possible, take your dress with you to the salon, so you can make sure that you’re getting the right garment for you. Any good department store will have a fitter, but if you really want the primo treatment, visit a boutique that’s affiliated with the myintimacy network. Visit www.myintimacy.com to find a shop near you (these ladies really do know what they’re doing), and prepare to be amazed.


Secondly, discover Spanx. We love these…underwear? Iron maiden garments? Miracle cellulite abolishers? Whatever you call them, they work. This is underwear of a different color, which will smooth your trouble spots away and leave you with a bum as smooth as a baby’s cheek. Visit www.spanx.com for stores near you.

 

Love Your Body, Love Yourself

At the end of the day, do realize that he loves you. He asked you to marry him. Just the way you are. So enjoy being engaged, and drink the odd glass of champagne. Remember – you can always do as the celebs do and make a quick change into something cooler (or at least more flattering) before the reception – and then, as a newly married woman, get ready to party like a rock star. You look hot. You really do.