It’s the one day of your life when you want everything to be perfect, including your face, hair and ensemble. The key to attaining that perfect look is preparation, and that goes for anyone besides the bride who’s involved with a wedding – whether you’re a bridesmaid, mother of the bride or the bride herself, you want to look your best on the big day. First, all that primping shouldn’t start a day or two before the ceremony. Ideally, you need a few weeks – or months, if your plan involves weight loss – to start prepping. Many brides and those involved in the wedding will get their spa treatments done within a week of the ceremony – not a great idea. Waxing, facials, tooth whitening and tanning should all be done well before the ceremony. Many brides save the day before for pampering, but a facial that includes microdermabrasion, Botox, extractions or other aggressive treatment can leave skin raw and red and prone to breakouts. Give your face at least a week or two for any reaction to subside. If you’re used to getting eyebrows or other facial areas waxed, then you can do it again two to three days before the ceremony. If it’s your first time, then go a week before. Getting your skin glowing all over might take some prep, too.

It’s best to invest in an artificial tan and go for a dry run after your last dress fitting to see what it looks like. Airbrush tans look great and do not expose you to UV rays. Just give it a test drive and be sure it’s completely dry before the ceremony. If you want to perk up your smile for all those pictures, then tooth whitening is the way to go. It’s pricey if you do it at the dentist, but there are Groupon specials and other ways to get discounts. Regardless, you’ll have to go in for an exam beforehand, so it does take some planning. And the DIY versions at the drugstore need to be used over a period of weeks, so again, plan ahead. It’s always a good idea to give your entire ensemble a dress rehearsal before the big day, so why not schedule a photo shoot after your final fitting to make sure everything – shoes, undergarments, makeup, hairstyle, veil – is to your liking? You only get married once – we hope.