I’m a Sleep Expert – My 5 Tips for Brides to Sleep Well Before the Wedding

Getting married can be one of the most exciting, yet also one of the most stressful times in a person’s life.

And after months, sometimes years, of planning, it’s no surprise that couples have trouble sleeping as the big day approaches.

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As a bride, you experience a lot of stress, especially in the last days before the wedding.

Even the positive stress can keep you up at night because of all the last-minute preparations.

While trying to please everyone, it’s easy to get carried away and forget to prioritize your sleep.

Luckily, an expert is on hand to share his best tips on how to get a good night’s sleep before the big day.

Sleep expert Dr. Deborah Lee of Doctor Foxhas entered into a partnership with Have beds made and revealed the five things you can do to ensure you wake up looking like a princess on your wedding day.

If you follow these rules, you are guaranteed to wake up feeling rested and radiant, and not like a Bridezilla.

Set a sleep routine before the wedding

It may sound crazy, but getting into a sleep routine a few weeks before your wedding can help ensure you get enough rest the night before.

Deborah says, “It’s crucial to create a little ritual to do before bed in the weeks leading up to your wedding.

“You should start by going to bed at the same time every night to regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and, more importantly, stay asleep.

“Other additions you can make to your routine include taking a warm bath, writing down some of your wedding nerves, or reading your current favorite book when it’s time to relax.”

Avoid planning a wedding late at night

With so much to do, it’s tempting to stay up at night checking that every last detail has been taken care of.

But doing so will only keep you awake longer and prevent you from getting any sleep, experts say.

They explained: “While it’s tempting to do all those little details that come to mind the moment your head hits the pillow, you don’t have to get it right the first time!

“Write it down in a notebook if it’s urgent and you won’t forget it, but save it for the next day.

“The bedroom should be a ‘marriage stress-free zone,’ to maintain a peaceful sleep environment.”

Watch your diet

Most people don’t realize it, but your diet can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep.

Experts advise: “You can’t be a hungry bridezilla – that’s the worst combination.

“What you eat has a major impact on the quality of your sleep.

Therefore, try not to eat too late in the run-up to your big day, before going to sleep.

“But the opposite is also true: make sure you eat enough, because going to bed hungry can also contribute to insomnia.”

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Set your sleeping environment

Another way to ensure you sleep well is to arrange your room to create an optimal sleeping environment.

Deborah says: “Easier said than done, but making sure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet is essential for an optimal sleeping environment.

“So grab your eye mask and kick out that snoring future husband/wife – it’s bad luck to see the bride before her wedding day anyway!”

How to choose the perfect wedding dress?

Wedding season is in full swing, but when it comes to picking out the perfect dress, most brides-to-be are probably clueless.

Josie Griffiths, deputy editor of Fabulous Digital and bride-to-be, is getting married in August 2024 and has shared her top tips…

1. Give yourself time – unless you are a sample size, dresses can take months to arrive. Don’t stress yourself out by looking too late, in my opinion, dress shopping should be second on your list, right after you find a venue.
2. Visit multiple stores. You are not supposed to buy anything on your first visit.
3. But not too many – just like an asshole who can’t stop swiping on Tinder, too much choice won’t help you find The One.
4. Bring people with you – women who are honest but also give you credit, unlike the mean family members in Say Yes To The Dress, and ideally people from different parts of your life who don’t automatically say the same thing. I went shopping with my mother and two best friends, who didn’t know each other and had different styles.
5. Think again – I went back to the store before I made my final decision on the dress I chose and tried it on again with my second favorite just to make sure I was sure. It’s an expensive purchase and you can’t return it like you can with your next Asos order, so take some time to think about it.

Don’t worry about sleep

As the saying goes, the more you stress about something, the worse it gets. So while it’s hard, the best thing you can do is try not to think about it too much.

The experts say: “It’s the last few hours before your big day. If you’re lying awake with the excitement of your wedding, try incorporating relaxation exercises into your daily routine.

Deep breathing and visualization techniques can help calm your body and prepare it for sleep.

“Especially before your wedding and if you are experiencing a lot of anxiety, consider guided meditation exercises and soothing music to help calm your mind and ensure you get the best sleep.”