10 Little Tricks to Help You Feel Your Most Confident on Your Wedding Day

It goes without saying that on your wedding day, the feels filling you up from head to (manicured) toe will ignite a radiance that glows all out. It's only the most exciting event of your life, NBD. But showing up like the best version of yourself can take some werk—and everyone's idea of pre-wedding prep looks a little different. To that end, we asked 10 brides (and those to-be) to spill the tea about what they did to feel their best ahead of their walk down the aisle. From practicing mindfulness to scoring a whiter smile, these small confidence-boosting changes went the distance to make a big difference.

I made meditation my M.O.

"My mental well-being was incredibly important to me. I regularly used a meditation app to help me practice mindfulness by visualizing the day unfolding beautifully and being filled with love. This mindfulness exercise helped me stay present, show up as the best version of myself, and feel very calm on my wedding day." — Brooke I., Richmond, VA

I threw some jabs and punches

"I started boxing two-to-three times a week, which was a great way to prepare physically and also mentally. It helped me tone my body, gain strength and energy, and eliminate the stress of balancing wedding planning, work and everything else." — Sarah S., Larchmont, NY

I banished the bloat

"In the six months leading up to my wedding, I've been taking two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar every morning to help with bloating and digestion. It's helped support my digestion throughout the day, and I've noticed an improvement in my skin. I've also prioritized whole foods (mostly fruit and veggies)—another contributing factor to my skin looking healthier."— Alison H., Chicago

I stepped up the shine

I didn't want to dye my hair before the wedding even though I have some pesky grays. So, instead, I focused on making it healthier and shinier with professional glossing treatments every few months. On the day of the wedding, my dark brown hair looked richer, healthier, and super shiny—and you couldn't even see my grays. — Rayna M., Jersey City, NJ

I mega-watted my smile

"I knew one way to ensure I was happy with my wedding photos was to whiten my teeth. I opted for a professional in-office whitening service, and it was worth the investment. To maintain the look, I used Sensodyne toothpaste, which was recommended by my sister-in-law who is a dentist. I loved how white and bright my teeth looked (while still seeming natural) in my photos and long after the wedding day." — Tracy P., New York City

FYI: Brushing with Sensodyne Clinical White gets teeth two shades whiter* and provides 24/7 sensitivity protection—plus it's enamel safe. Have sensitive teeth but want to try a whitening treatment? Using Sensodyne Clinical White two weeks before, during and after the treatment can help relieve sensitivity, and has even been shown to maintain white teeth for six months after a whitening treatment.^

*As shown in an eight-week clinical study
^vs. a non-whitening toothpaste with continued twice daily brushing after a 7 day at home treatment of 15% peroxide

I detoxed like a boss

"After one of my friends swore by it, I invested in lymphatic drainage massage. I bought a package and did sessions once a week for the month before my wedding. I was immediately hooked on how great I felt and looked after. The biggest benefit was the reduction of swelling and fluid retention. I noticed my face wasn't as puffy and I felt a bit lighter. I'm also prone to bloating so it helped with that as well. Not to mention, it got rid of some pre-wedding stress." — Briana S., Palm Beach, FL

I walked my way to a better mindset

"To feel great before my wedding, I walked on the treadmill at least 30 minutes a day for the three months leading up to the wedding. Because the last 90 days of wedding planning were stressful and hectic, walking allowed me to zone out and clear my mind. It also let me catch up on podcasts or binge TV shows, which was all the mindless behavior I needed then." — Ashleigh C., Atlanta

I transported my hairstylist across state lines

"My hair was the main focus of my wedding beauty look. To ensure it would be on point, I transported my longtime hairstylist from Manhattan to our wedding venue in Pennsylvania. He's the only one I trusted to install my extensions in a natural way. I'm so glad I went the extra mile (literally)—I loved my look." — Amber K., Rye, NY

I unmasked the benefits of an at-home skin treatment

"Because I'm prone to hormonal breakouts, I used an at-home LED mask for a full year before my wedding to help reduce inflammation and redness. I noticed my breakouts were less severe and frequent and, most importantly, my skin was clear and glowing for my wedding." — Carrieanne Q., New York City

I got glammed without a squad

"I did my own makeup to look like my most natural self. It was really fun and therapeutic to do before we drove over to the courthouse. Having something to focus on was calming. I didn't even practice; I just did my usual look and already had everything I needed at home." — Charlotte S., Beverly Hills, CA