Trigger warning: Body image and discussion of weight loss
Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the most joyous and memorable days of your life. It’s a day to celebrate love, commitment, and the start of a new chapter in your life with your partner. However, pulling away from that joy is the pressure that people feel to look a certain way on their wedding day. Bridal stylists hear some variation of “I just need to lose some weight and then I will be happy in this dress” all the time. Or worse, it comes from their entourage – people who love the bride and may mean well, but have just knocked the bride’s confidence down. There is a constant pressure to meet these unrealistic beauty standards so this desire isn’t out of the ordinary, especially with social media around further promoting the “shredding for the wedding” culture. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to how you want to prepare for your wedding, however there is one important thing to remember: You will look stunning regardless and your worth is not determined by your size.
Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t feel pressured to lose weight for your wedding day:
You are beautiful just the way you are.
Your partner fell in love with and proposed to the current version of you. They want to spend the rest of their life with you just as you are. It’s unlikely when they proposed they were thinking “I can’t wait to marry the version of you that is 10 to 15 pounds less.” They were thinking of growing old with you. Your wedding day is about celebrating your love for each other, not about conforming to societal standards of beauty. Embrace your natural beauty and celebrate your unique qualities.
Your wedding day is just one day.
Your wedding day is just one day out of your entire life. It’s not worth sacrificing your mental and physical health to look a certain way for a few hours. Remember that your wedding day isn’t just about feeling pretty; it’s about creating memories with your loved ones and celebrating the start of a new chapter in your life.
Crash diets can be dangerous.
Trying to lose weight quickly through crash diets or extreme exercise can be dangerous for your health. Rapid weight loss can lead to dehydration, fatigue, and malnutrition, which can make you feel ill on your wedding day. If you want to use the wedding as a reason to be healthier, don’t focus on weight loss; focus on nourishing your body with healthy foods and getting regular exercise. Wedding planning is already stressful enough and you should always focus on doing what makes you feel good rather than focusing on losing weight.
Your wedding dress will be altered to fit you.
Wedding dresses can be altered to fit your body’s shape and size. You don’t and shouldn’t have to have to alter your body to fit the dress. Choose a dress that makes you feel confident, beautiful and comfortable as you are, not what people think you should be. As bridal stylists we always like to tell our brides, “you don’t need to change to fit into the perfect dress. the perfect dress is made to fit you perfectly the way you are”
You’ll have a happier wedding day if you’re not stressed about your weight.
If you’re constantly worrying about your weight on your wedding day, you won’t be able to fully enjoy the moment. You’ll be distracted and stressed, which can take away from the joy of your wedding day. Remember that your partner loves you for who you are, not for what you look like, and focus on celebrating your love for each other.
Social media is FAKE
You can’t compare yourself to the airbrush edited pictures of brides, influencers and models you see on Instagram. The pictures on social media don’t give an accurate representation of anything, especially not a bridal look. In general, social media is the biggest perpetrator of unrealistic expectations and the pressure is ongoing, so don’t let external factors like social media increase the pressure you’re under when wedding planning.
Shift your mindset!
It’s completely normal to want to achieve a healthier lifestyle and it’s perfectly fine to want to look and feel your best on your wedding day. There’s nothing wrong with that, but looking and feeling your best should mean more than cutting down sizes. Instead of placing emphasis on weight loss FOR your wedding day, try shifting your mindset to be focused more on your desire to live a healthy lifestyle.
Maintaining the right mindset is crucial throughout this journey. Rather than succumbing to unrealistic expectations or comparing oneself to others, focusing on personal well-being and long-term sustainability is key. Striving for gradual progress, celebrating small victories, and embracing a holistic approach that includes balanced nutrition and regular physical activity can lead to more meaningful and lasting results. Remember, the ultimate goal is not just the number on the scale, but the overall enhancement of one’s physical and mental well-being. Always remember to listen to your body and how you are feeling.
Ultimately, you should never feel pressure to lose weight for your wedding day. Your natural beauty will only be enhanced on your wedding day and from our years of experience at LLB, there’s never been a person who doesn’t radiate beauty on their wedding day. Focus on your mental and physical health and simply enjoy the moment with your partner and your loved ones. Your wedding day is about celebrating your love for each other, not about conforming to the unrealistic beauty standards that don’t represent you.
Recent Comments