Photo by K Battle Photography

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since I got married… it goes by in a flash. So much planning and preparing goes into it and a year later it hardly seems like it even happened.

Having worn both sides of the crown—both running a salon and spa full of brides every weekend, plus having been down the aisle myself—I seem to get asked the same question over and over again. What is the best beauty advice you’d give a bride planning her wedding?

It seems like an easy question. However, let’s not forget there is a reason the infamous term “Bridezilla” was created (that’s with a capital B in case you hadn’t noticed). One must keep in mind the different personalities of a bride when foisting such delicate advice. I’ll do my best.

There are the brides who are a breeze—easy and laid back and really don’t have a hair or makeup care in the world. We can do anything and they are thrilled. There are the brides who have wonderful and reasonable expectations and have a clear and concise idea of what it is they would like, complete with constructive input, ideas and even photos to help the process along.

Then, there are the brides who think they are simple and know what they want, but explain it 10 different ways, with six photos all opposite of one another, one more complex or simplistic than the previous. And although they have straight, fine hair, the photo presented requires someone with thick, curly, voluminous locks to achieve the desired Nicole Kidman coiffe. If we don’t pull off a miracle, tears or frustration might soon follow.

I’m here to say that whatever type of bride you are, there is a way to make this process easier. Not just easier, but achievable and without the stress, pressure and dramatics. A process you might actually embrace and enjoy and know that at the end of the day, it is not the most important day in your life, but just the beginning of it. That when you look back, it was about marrying your best friend and partner in crime, regardless if your chignon or side bun wasn’t just perfect or the heel broke off your shoe.

I’ve tried to live this laid back mantra myself, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have my own special challenges on my wedding day. Like when I forgot my hand-written vows and had to wing it and go purely on raw emotion. Or when the DJ forgot to call my father to speak, but I didn’t realize it until the next day when my sister called to tell me how relieved, yet sad, my father was. Or when I forgot the custom jacket that was to go over my dress the night of the reception and had to make due with what I had on hand for the after party. These little things may seem significant at the time, but years later they just won’t matter. Embrace the day.

In my upcoming posts I hope to inspire, inform, and provide helpful beauty tips that will help your wedding day go as smoothly as any wedding day can go. I also look forward to your feedback, thoughts and questions.

Elizabeth Walsh-Zimmermann is the Director of WELL Spa + Salon. Having grown up in the industry (her mother was a stylist and esthetician), and given her background in art, advertising, sales and management, Elizabeth has developed a deep passion and love for the beauty industry. She feels it’s a privilege to work with such amazing and talented artists who inspire her every single day. The biggest bonus…she helps make people feel wonderful. What more could a girl want?