5 Mistakes Brides Make When Losing Weight For Their Wedding

I recently got connected with bride to be, Corinne, and was quickly struck by her passion. I thought she had an interesting story and that she’d be able to share some helpful tips with you on a very popular topic: getting in shape for your wedding day—even in the midst of a global pandemic! (Tip #3 is key!)

“I know I am new here so let me introduce myself. I am Corinne, a Registered Dietitian, Virtual Nutrition Coach and fellow COVID Bride. I have been with my fiance for almost 10 years, we got engaged the day before Thanksgiving 2018 (he proposed to me with our house, but I’ll save that story for later). We were supposed to get married on March 28, 2020 except COVID-19 and the stay at home order happened the week before our date so we postponed until August 7, 2020, then finally postponed for the last time to March 6, 2021. (I swear if it doesn’t happen this time, we are eloping – does anyone else feel this way?!)

Anywho, I help brides, just like, you slim down and feel confident for their wedding day and everyday after without dieting. Bride, I hear you talking to yourself saying, “what do you mean without dieting?! How do brides lose weight then?” I am here to tell you that you never have to diet again to reach and maintain your weight loss goals. 

Now to the good stuff. Here are the 5 mistakes I see brides, just like you, make when slimming down for your wedding day.

1. You start working on your weight loss goals too late. I recommend to my bridal clients to start working on their wedding day weight loss goals at least 6-12 months before their wedding date. By starting this early, it makes sure that you actually reach your weight loss goals before your wedding dress alterations have to happen, which is usually 1-3 months before your wedding date. 
2. You follow some strict fad diet or pay for meal replacement shakes because you think it will make it easy to lose weight. Those diets are really restrictive and low calorie, which is why you might see weight loss, but then you’ll plateau and not know what to try next. You will have low energy, increased stress and might start feeling hangry because you are not fueling your body. My brides all learn how to nourish their bodies with all foods for optimal energy (no hangryness allowed).
3. You only work on eating less and exercising more. Those diets and meal plans you are doing do not focus on other areas of health, stress, sleep and mindset. If you continue to disregard all areas of health you will never learn to love yourself once you reach that number you’ve been wanting on the scale. You might think it’s the number you’re after but really it’s the feeling you are looking for. By not doing the internal work you are setting yourself up to fail.
4. You try losing weight on your own and you give up. A recent graduate of my coaching program told me that she had hit an all time low before working with me. She was lost and confused because she tried every diet out there and nothing worked for her. She was about to give up on it all and continue to hate how she looked with little to no confidence in herself. Then she joined my program, gained the guidance that gave her a plan that was specific to her, support and accountability to keep pushing through the challenging days and she was able to completely transform her life. She is now buying smaller size clothes, has more confidence than she has ever had and is living a life she is obsessed with. I want this for you bride! You deserve this kind of life and feels!
5. You are too prideful and feel guilty that you do not know how to lose weight on your own so you do not hire a coach. There is no shame or guilt in not knowing everything. It is impossible to be an expert in every area of your life. It is okay to ask for help when help is needed. If you’ve been considering hiring a coach to help you slim down for your wedding day or if you haven’t thought about it but are interested in learning more, this is your sign. Hire the coach. You will not regret it.

Bride, I want you to feel confident, sexy, beautiful, powerful, empowered, ready to take the next step in your relationship, filled with joy and feeling good in your skin on your wedding day. You deserve nothing less.

If you want more information about how you can reach your wedding day goals follow me on Instagram @corinnegilardi or join my free Facebook community “Bride Tribe Weight Loss with Corinne” to learn more and be supported on your journey.”

Thanks, Corinne! I know that my readers will love this blog as much as I did. And congrats (in advance) on your big day…I am crossing my fingers until next March for you! 

With love,

Girl with a diamond ring

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How to Pick Your Wedding Colors

So you’ve selected your life partner and the ring is on your finger. Then the questions start from other people. When is the big day? How big will the wedding be? Should it be before or after your sister’s wedding, since she got engaged first? The list goes on and on. And then you’ll find that once the planning begins, you will come up with your own endless list of details that need to be reviewed and decided upon by you and your future spouse. So once you start diving in, one of the key questions is “What are our wedding colors?”

Why is this so important? Most details, from invites to wedding flowers, will come with different color options. So where do you start? Here are some questions that could get you closer to your answer.

• Do I have a theme that I’m already set on? The theme itself, from shabby chic to magical and romantic to Alice in Wonderland, could inform your colors or begin to rule some out. (Ruling out color hues can be just as helpful!)
• Do I have a venue that is already planned? If you already know where you want to get married, like a local country club, garden or a ski resort, this could easily start you closer down the path of colors that may make sense. For example, I always dreamed of a peacock-wedding but once a beach destination was decided then I knew it didn’t make sense.
• Is there a texture or pattern that draws you in? If you love feathers, stripes or polka dots and expect for these to be a part of your décor, choose colors that these naturally come in so that items don’t require a lot of customization.
• When is the wedding? While seasons shouldn’t force you down a path of specific colors, it could give you some inspiration. Soft and light colors for spring. Bright and dynamic colors for summer. Deeper warm tones for fall. Or wintery whites, blues or silvers for the end of the year. If this feels too obvious to you, go OPPOSITE of what people expect that season….like maroon and gold in May!
• Is there a color combination that represents a specific aspect of our relationship? Informed by a favorite flower during your season of dating, a college or sports team, or vacation spot that’s important to you.
• Is there one color that you keep envisioning? You should plan to have 2-4 colors so they can complement one another for different décor details selected but even starting with one is a good place to start. If you keep envisioning one color then that you are probably leaning that way for a reason. Find a good neutral to pair it with (grey, beige, white, black.)
• Am I selecting colors based on influence or feeling pressure from other factors? If you and your fiancé both love warm and neutral tones, then don’t feel the need to select an dark romantic hues just because a wedding planner said that’s what makes sense. Your guests should look at their surroundings and not be surprised that it’s your big day.

Once you’ve answered these questions, you may begin getting a clearer picture. As a next step, I suggest searching for wedding color palettes on Pinterest and Instagram. Deciding specific search terms could be easier to hone in on once you have more of an idea in mind…so things like ‘summer wedding colors’ or ‘unique wedding color palettes’ or ‘dark wedding color inspiration.’ Note that you may not like each color presented in a palette and you can always combine multiple options to make it what you like.  (Don’t be afraid to get creative and try different searches because you never know what you will find.) Prefer something more tactical and not online? Go to a paint store and see which color swatches you gravitate towards. This can also be helpful to see which specific shades make sense as a stand-alone color and paired with another.

Plain and simple: your wedding space should bring you joy. Have an open mind and have some fun with this!

With love,

Girl with a diamond ring

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Weddings Amidst A Global Pandemic

I’m back after a much-needed break for a few months. A lot has changed during this time, including the beginning of a global pandemic! As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed, and continues to change, every single industry in unique ways. The wedding industry tops the list. It’s heartbreaking, knowing that couples who have planned their big day for years have had to make abrupt changes to their vision just so they could still get married. While others have made the hard choice to reschedule or cancel altogether. In a way, it’s simplified weddings and forced couples to focus on what matters: the two of them, vows, and those absolutely closest to them. It’s no longer about whether or not your third cousin needs to be invited or if the DJ can amp up a party.

I know, however, that simple doesn’t mean easy. I’ve seen a lot of creative ideas thus far and am looking forward to seeing how more couples navigate this time.

1. Video streaming services allow for couples to bring their big day live to their loved ones. Consideration: Be thoughtful with the platform that you choose since some require logins that your guests may not have.
2. Drive-by weddings are the new drive-by birthday parties. Allow guests to drive by when you and your spouse exist the ceremony space. The most creative guests might decorate their cars with balloons or throw rose petals out of the window. Consideration: This will work for some locations and/or sizes of guest lists. If you plan to be married in a tight urban or residential area then it may not work.
3. If your wedding is further out (6+ months), don’t make any hasty changes. While it’s important to research specific policies to postpone or cancel, things will continue to change. If you move too quickly to make changes then you might need to adapt yet again at a later date. Consideration: Reach out to all of your vendors to find out what their cancellation policies are and specific time frames to keep in mind. Set a reminder on your calendar so you know when these dates are coming up.
4. Even if you host a small event, you will still need to remain cautious and that might require some additional creativity. Keep an eye on your local news and pay attention to guidelines like these from the CDC on how to safely host an event. Consideration: Try to be flexible with your wedding vision. While having wedding rows that are 6-feet apart or signs on extra hand-sanitizer at the food stations weren’t likely what you first envisioned, it could be worth it if it still allows you to have an in-person event during the age of the coronavirus.
5. You may have found that wedding planning was already getting really complicated and becoming much bigger than you had hoped. This could be your way of making your day just about you two and the love that you share. Elopement-like weddings are at an all-time high and could be done in exotic or beautiful places within driving distance. As long as you have someone to marry you and an epic photographer, this could end up being something really special. Consideration: Before you go this route, both you and your spouse-to-be need to make a list of the people who you believe HAVE to be at your wedding. This could change whether or not it’s feasible something this small. If it’s important for you to be married, you could also do something super-small now and then re-do your I do’s when things settle down.

I’m sorry for the bride and groom’s who have to quickly change their wedding logistics but have been encouraged by the resilience and openness displayed by many engaged couples during this time. Make the best of it and just know that these will make for great stories in the future! I mean, who else can say that they were married during a global pandemic?

With love,

Girl with a diamond ring

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From the Archives: How to Say I Love You All Year Round

Happy Valentines Day! I’m throwing it back to a post from my archives.

What I’ve found is that the lovey dovey sentiments while in a relationship can sometimes come a little ‘easier’ when you’re dating (as opposed to in marriage.) Being married can be incredibly romantic but you might need to become a little more intentional to keep the spark turned on during some life seasons together.

So what I highly would recommend is that you don’t just do nice things for one another during the annual events like Valentines, anniversaries or birthdays. Year after year that will likely begin to feel forced. And it’s important to remember that it’s the small moments of everyday kindness that can make your spouse feel cherished and loved. Here are a few ways that I think you can say ‘ILY’ all year round, in no particular order.

• Surprise your spouse by doing a house chore that typically falls outside of your responsibilities.
• Go to their favorite restaurant or movie of their choice…without complaining
• Take their car to the car wash or fill it up with gas. While you’re at it, buy their favorite car air freshener.
• Leave a love note in their car, under their pillow, or on the bathroom mirror.
• Send a nice text to let them know that they are on your mind during the day. This could be an emoji, a cute photo of the two of you, or a love quote or saying. You could even send a link to a song that reminds you of them.
• Deliver a bouquet of flowers or chocolate-covered fruit to their work…not on Valentines Day!
• Surprise them with a gift card to their favorite spa for a pedicure or massage.
• Bring home their favorite drink from Starbucks with a hand written message on the cup.
• Plan an entire day to getaway and drive to your favorite romantic spot.
• Propose an impromptu dinner at the beach or visit to the local park.
• Bake (or purchase) their favorite dessert for a normal weekday night at home.
• Plan ahead for date night with a bottle of wine to share, either their favorite kind or one that might remind you of your wedding day or wedding location.
• Play your favorite romantic song and ask them for a slow dance, in the kitchen.
• An album of boudoir photos, perhaps?
• Change up your nighttime routine and serve them in ways that they desire to be served, not the other way around.
• Check out the app “Hotel Tonight” for an inexpensive hotel stay.
• If you want to try something completely different, spend some time on the Groupon app for creative+local ideas that could create for a special experience!

These are just examples of small things which can truly add up to a fulfilled life with one another. I hope you can make these personal to your insidiously personalities and relationship-norms. If Valentines becomes ‘less of a big deal’ because you do these things together often; that isn’t a bad thing. Try to put a few of these into action in 2019 and just see how it goes!

With love,

Girl with a diamond ring

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Update: I’ll be taking a break from wedding content for a few months to focus on my personal life. To catch up on past content, feel free to check out the links above, and scroll down this page for other posts. If you subscribe to my blog via email then you’ll be notified when I’m back!

How to Mentally Prepare for Marriage

I recently posted about the things that I didn’t realize about marriage once I got the ring. There is so much that you don’t know when entering this new season of your life, and that’s part of the fun. If you’re serious with your boyfriend, newly engaged, or newly married, here are some tips to help set you up for success. With anything in life, success is likely going to be a result of your attitude and commitment. Here is how you can mentally prepare to be a lifelong spouse:

Remember that future decisions will need to go from an I to a We. You are now part of a two-piece puzzle and it’s crucial that you keep in mind the other piece. While it might not change specific outcomes, at least you are in it together.

While you are both part of a two-for-one, don’t lose sight of your individual self worth or independence. Becoming a “wife” or a “husband” will be a new label in your identity, but it is not all that you are. Continue with your own self-care and choose to spend time doing the things that feed your soul.

Marriage is a marathon and not a sprint. Pace yourself with your expectations, how you adapt to living with one another, and what the rest of your lives together will look like. You have time to get to know each other and create norms that you’re both comfortable with.

As my sister/Matron of Honor shared in her wedding toast: “Always remember that you’re on the same team.” There will be times that it feels like the world is against you. No matter what, know that you’re backed into a corner with your spouse. They aren’t the ones that are on a different team, they are on your team. Try to show that to one another in your words and actions.

The engagement season is a unique time in your relationship where you can look forward and plan your life together. Once that life begins, do everything you can to ENJOY and be PRESENT. You have chosen one another and that’s the best part.

With love,

Girl with a diamond ring

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