We Asked, You Answered: What Makes You Feel Confident Before "I Do"?

It's no secret that when you get married, all eyes are on you (literally). So naturally, you'll want to look and feel your best. And our users agree—in fact, 81% of The Knot users surveyed* shared that they believe looking beautiful on your wedding day means feeling comfortable in your own skin. So when there's a slew of new trends and self-care tips at your fingertips every day, how do you figure out which routines work and which should be left behind? Let us save you the time (and breakouts!). We partnered with the makers of LUMIFY® to ask real to-be-weds and newlyweds what they've done to feel their best and brightest before walking down the aisle. Read on to discover their top pieces of advice.

1. Trust your wedding pros.

Feel free to ask your wedding vendors for tips or advice along the way—they're professionals for a reason!

"Ask your hair and makeup artists for input on skin and hair care. I was given great recommendations for both, specific to my hair and skin type."
– Lindsey

"Find a hair and makeup artist you like and trust early on and talk to them! My HMU artist gave me advice on my skincare, my hair, my eyebrows and it was nice to have some realistic and actionable steps to take so that I can feel my best."
– Melanie

"Get a photographer who makes you feel beautiful. Her gassing me up on the day-of helped me feel naturally confident and it showed."
– Rebecca

2. Set a routine, and stick to it.

Of course, you're bound to experiment with a new product or two, and it takes time to see what works for you. Just make sure your routine is set well in advance.

"If you plan to make any changes to your typical routine, try it out at least 90 days before the wedding to make sure you don't have any adverse reactions closer to the big day."
– Kalina

"Start early—it takes time to see results and to see what works for you personally."
– Cait

"Don't change your routine or products too much because that can have the opposite effect."
– Katie

3. Lean on your village.

Surround yourself with love and support, and spend your energy on the people providing it.

"Find the people that support you and focus on them, even if that isn't your family or the people you thought you would be able to rely on."
– Alexa

"Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and fill you with joy."
– Meghan

"Your family, fiancé and friends all love you the way you are and are excited to celebrate with the person they already know and love, inside and out!"
– Susan

4. Set yourself up for success the day-of!

Spoiler alert: Beauty rest really is the key to looking picture perfect.

"Get plenty of rest and make sure to do your makeup almost last before getting ready so it stays fresh."
– KayAnna

"Get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated and use under eye masks for an instant glow!"
– Wendy

"Don't forget to use setting spray for makeup, and have some extra supplies on hand for touch-ups throughout the day."
– Galaxy

Another must-have for your wedding day? LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops. If you wake up with red eyes, just one drop reduces redness to help eyes look whiter and brighter for up to eight hours.

Price: $12.99 for 2.5mL

5. Do what feels authentic to you.

It's okay to stay within your own comfort zone.

"Don't force yourself to try new trends or things you don't usually do; you'll be most confident in your favorite kind of makeup, hair, etc. whatever that may look like. Do it for you!"
– Danielle

"Do what makes you feel the most comfortable! If you want to go over the top, do it! If you just want to do a dollar store face mask the morning of, do that! If you don't want to do anything at all, then don't! Only you can feel beautiful in your own body—don't let anyone change that."
– Anastasia

"Make sure at the end of the day you still look like you—you don't want to look back and see a stranger in the photos! Highlight your own beauty."
– Kristen

"Be realistic about any 'transformations' you're trying to achieve, and don't put too much pressure on yourself!"
– Julie

6. Caring for yourself goes a long way.

Make meaningful changes that will stay with you.

"If you're going to change anything, do it for yourself and for the long term, not just for the 'big day.'"
– Katilyn

"I think the small changes are the most meaningful. Lock in on exercise/nutrition changes, upgrade your current skincare routine, prioritize routine upkeep, etc., rather than trying to completely overhaul any aspects of your health or beauty. Feeling like yourself on the big day is more important than many realize."
– Zoe

"I'm a personal trainer. My advice to any bride would be this: Take great care of yourself in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Nourish your body, move in ways that feel good and rest well. That way, you'll feel confident, radiant and be able to fully enjoy your special day surrounded by friends and family."
– Tracey

No matter what tips you hold onto for your own wedding day, remember that confidence is key. Help your eyes look their best with LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops. They help your eyes look whiter and brighter for up to eight hours. Learn more at LUMIFY.com.

*2025 LUMIFY x The Knot User Panel Study. Fielded January 10 - February 7, 2025 via email recruitment of The Knot XO Club participants. To qualify, respondents had to be currently engaged to be married or recently married in the last year. N = 222. Conducted on behalf of the makers of LUMIFY.