It is almost here. When you close your eyes, you can see yourself walking toward your love, the feel of your dress brushing across your feet as you walk. You are laughing with your girls while you have your hair done. And you just know you are going to feel more beautiful on your wedding day than you have ever felt before. You have already envisioned your wedding day so many times; what you haven’t envisioned is stress. And you can keep it that way!

These are my tips for a stress-free wedding morning!

First of all, the best thing you can do for your wedding day is to get some sleep! The last thing you want on your wedding day is to look tired. I know this is a tall order given everything that you have to do, but I am willing to bet that you are surrounded with people that can help with the little things so that you can get to bed on time! Instead of staying up late to finish tying ribbons on programs, say yes to all those offers to help and have some quality time with your pillow.

When you enter into the getting ready room feeling refreshed from a good night sleep, take a few moments to organize the space. Have a place for your girls to hang their gowns, and keep a special place for your dress to go as well. Put all your wedding details to be photographed in a box, so they are all in one place. Not only does this help your photographer be more efficient, but you also won’t be hunting for them at the last minute. When you have a clean getting ready space, it creates a calm environment.

When hair and make up arrive, ask if you can have someone else go last. It might seem like you would want to be the last to finish, but often the waiting can cause anxiety because you will find yourself watching the clock. Instead, have someone with a simpler hairdo go last so you can have a few extra moments to get dressed without feeling behind. It is also a good idea to have a trial done before the big day to ensure there are no surprises.

Plan a timeline with extra time cushioned in between significant events so that you can allow for hiccups in your day. Many times the things that cause stress on a wedding day wouldn’t even have given you pause if it weren’t for the lack of time!

Pack for your day of necessities in advance. Not the morning of, and maybe even not the night before. Start by having those items ready to go (use travel sized containers if you are worried about having your usual items with you the day before) the morning of your rehearsal. It is also a good idea to be packed for the honeymoon by this morning as well. This way you can have someone appointed to bring your bags to the venue or to your honeymoon suite where you will have what you need without having to stress over making sure nothing was left behind.

Girl, I know you have been watching what you are eating, wanting to make sure you look good in photos. You have already put in the work so eat a sandwich! Food gives you energy! Have healthy bites on hand to help you keep your strength up for the day. Things like almonds, grapes, cheese & crackers are all easy to eat with minimal mess.

Lastly, try to leave on time. Nothing can make your day feel like it is unraveling than running behind schedule. With plenty of sleep, a solid wedding timeline, and a decent breakfast, you have the core tools you need to combat stress and enjoy your wedding day!