How to Stay Healthy in the Lead-Up to Your Wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most meaningful and joyful moments of your life, filled with love, tradition, and celebration. But let's be honest, the months leading up to it can feel like a whirlwind. Between planning the ceremony, managing guests, organising multiple events, and navigating family expectations, it's easy for your own health and well-being to slip down the priority list.

Looking after yourself in the lead-up to your wedding is not only important for your physical health but also for your mental and emotional balance. Whether you are planning a traditional Jewish wedding with all the pre-wedding events or something more modern, here are some practical and grounded ways to stay healthy, body, mind and spirit.

It may sound basic, but sleep is the foundation of good health. With so much happening in the months before your wedding, it is tempting to stay up late planning or checking off tasks on your to-do list. But if you are consistently running on fumes, your body and brain will start to feel the effects.

Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Try to create a bedtime routine that helps you wind down properly. This might include switching off screens an hour before bed, enjoying a calming tea, or journaling to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Prioritising rest will help you stay sharp, calm and energised, all of which you will need for the final stretch of wedding planning.

When people think of getting “wedding ready,” extreme diets and fitness bootcamps often come to mind. But taking care of yourself is not about restriction. Instead, focus on fuelling your body with balanced, nutritious meals that give you the energy you need to feel your best.

Include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your meals. If you keep kosher, this is a good time to explore healthy versions of traditional favourites. Make hydration a priority too. Drinking enough water throughout the day supports energy levels and clear skin. If you are working with caterers for your wedding, you could even use the opportunity to incorporate a few wholesome options into your menu.

Remember that this is a joyful season. Sharing meals with your loved ones, enjoying Shabbat dinners, and celebrating pre-wedding events are all part of the experience. It is not about perfection. It is about feeling good and being kind to your body.

Exercise is a great tool for managing stress, boosting your mood, and helping you feel strong and confident. But this does not mean you need to hit the gym five days a week if that is not your style. Movement should feel enjoyable, not like another item on your wedding checklist.

Whether it is going for a walk with your fiancé, dancing around your living room to music you love, attending a weekly yoga or pilates class, or even swimming, find something that helps you release tension and gives you a chance to connect with your body.

If you are dancing the hora at your wedding, a little regular movement in the lead-up will also help you keep your energy up on the day itself.

It is easy to let wedding planning take over every spare moment. But giving yourself time to step away from it is essential for your mental well-being. Block out moments in your week where you do not talk about the wedding, look at your checklist or respond to emails from suppliers.

Instead, spend time with friends, watch a film, read a book, or just go for a walk. These breaks will help you reset and come back to the planning process with a clear head and more patience.

Jewish weddings often involve multiple events, from the engagement party, to the aufruf, Shabbat meals, mikveh visits, and of course the wedding day itself. Managing the guest list and RSVPs across several events can be stressful, especially when guests need different information.

This is where tools like Say I do can make a big difference. By setting up a wedding website, you can:

• Share important event details in one place
  
  
• Manage RSVPs for different parts of your celebration
  
  
• Send digital invites and reminders
  
  
• Keep certain events private so only select guests can see them
  
  
• Provide useful FAQs, venue directions, accommodation suggestions and more
  

Having everything organised digitally saves time and reduces the back-and-forth. Instead of dealing with dozens of messages asking for addresses or times, your guests can get all the details they need directly from your website. This means fewer late-night texts, less admin stress, and more peace of mind for you.

Preparing for your wedding is not just about the celebration itself; it is also about preparing for married life. Many Jewish couples choose to engage in spiritual or emotional preparation, such as attending kallah or chatan classes, studying together, or working with a mentor or counsellor. These practices can help build a strong foundation for your relationship.

Even if you are not following a formal structure, setting aside time to connect with your partner about your hopes for the future, shared values, and how you will navigate married life together can be a powerful way to stay grounded.

Don’t forget to reach out for support when you need it. Planning a wedding can bring up strong emotions, and talking with a trusted friend, rabbi, or therapist can help you process and stay balanced.

Try not to schedule too much in the 48 hours before your wedding. Avoid last-minute errands where possible, and create space in your schedule to rest, reflect and be present. This might include a quiet dinner with your closest loved ones, a visit to the mikveh, or simply some alone time to take it all in.

These final days should be a gentle lead-in, not a sprint. Slowing down will help you arrive at your wedding feeling grounded, joyful and fully ready to step into the next chapter.

Staying healthy in the lead-up to your wedding is not about chasing a picture-perfect image. It is about caring for your whole self, physically, emotionally and spiritually, so that you can show up as your best self on the big day.

By making small daily choices to rest, eat well, move your body, take emotional pauses, and use tech tools to reduce planning stress, you are setting yourself up for a calm, joyful and meaningful celebration.

After all, your wedding is not just one day. It is the beginning of a life together and that deserves your full presence and care.

This article was written in cooperation with Say I do.