Pre-Wedding Fitness

Who has the time!

By: Melisa Darisay Thorp, SDSU and ACE Certified Fitness Trainer

Really, who has any time to think about getting into shape before their wedding? Yeah, right! That is exactly what is on your mind as your wedding date looms closer. This is the most important day of your life and you want to look your best. So, how do you do it?

You need to think about getting into shape starting at least six months (at least!) before the big day. Starving yourself the last couple of weeks before walking down the aisle can cause a couple of bad things. The first and main one being you need good nutrition to feed your body so it can deal with all the stress associated with the last weeks prior to your wedding. The second being that your dress that you bought months before will not fit you properly!

Okay, what do you do? The best thing is to make time each day (30 minutes as a minimum) to do your favorite fitness activity. Physical activity combined with careful calorie consumption will put you in the best shape for your big day. Be it walking, jogging, rollerblading, swimming, weight training, step classes, yoga, Pilates – or even better, a combination of all. Try something new such as taking a class at your gym. Class workouts are fun and a great way to stay motivated.

Get outdoors! Nothing boosts workout motivation like enjoying the beauty of nature. Go for a hike in the mountains, walk in the sand, bike your favorite trails or rollerblade around the bay – even join in a friendly game of volleyball on your day-off visit to the beach.

Mixing up your workouts will help you stay in the fitness groove (who really wants to do the same boring workout day after day after day) and keep your body from hitting a plateau (where you work out like crazy and your body doesn’t change at all). Adding two strength workouts to your weekly cardio routine is the best way to get into optimal shape. Working with a personal trainer and/or a nutritionist is a good idea if you have problems keeping to a routine on your own or just need the extra encouragement.

The best thing is to plan your workout schedule just like you are planning your wedding. You spend months finalizing everything from food to flowers – make sure your daily fitness routine is top of the list.

Melisa Darisay Thorp
619-295-2511

Eco - Friendly Wedding

Going natural and putting less impact on the environment is an admirable and eco-friendly way to enhance your wedding day. It will take a little more creativity and thought but, the end result will surely reflect the earth-loving couple that you are. Here are some ways that we at Wedding Connections believe you too can stick to your special wedding dreams and still save the planet !!


1. Start out with some eco-friendly announcements. Instead of using wood generated paper, try paper made of bamboo, kenaf or hemp. When printing request soy based inks or hand letter them yourself with a nontoxic pencil or water-based markers. Have guests RSVP via the phone, or e-mail to cut down on more paper waste.

2. Choose ceremony and reception sites that are naturally beautiful. This can include parks, beaches, vineyards, gardens, lakes, etc. Consider a caterer that follows eco-friendly practices. There are many reception sites that will not allow you to bring in your own caterer, but there are many that do.

3. There are many caterers who will provide vegetarian options that will accommodate your guest.

4. Getting your guest to the reception site. Consider pedicabs to transport your guest from parking lot to reception site or taxi or golf cart for pick up and delivery. Carpooling is another option. Guests who come from the same area should be encouraged to carpool. Include carpooling option information when sending out your invitations.

5. What dress to choose. Now-a-days there are plenty of natural fiber options, such as cotton and silk. Be sure to inquire about chemical dyes and synthetic materials used to create the dress. If it is difficult to find what you want you can always have a dress custom designed. You don not have to be a celebrity to take this option!

6. Play music at your pre-ceremony that resembles your natural surroundings such as music of birds, ocean waves, babbling brooks, or dolphin sounds.

7. For the reception try decorating tables with potted plants and flowers (that guests can take home) or rent them from a plant company

8. For an evening wedding ceremony or reception use candles to light the way. Make sure they are soy long lasting candles. This will also create a beautiful, intimate wedding atmosphere.

9. Use washable towels and natural soaps as well as recycled paper towels and tissue in the restrooms at the reception facility.

10. Opt for nontoxic soap to blow bubbles as the bride and groom leave for their honeymoon or use eco-friendly bird seed instead rice that will harm birds.

11. Give your bridal party gifts of scented candles, gift certificates to sporting goods stores, nature CDs, recycled paper and soy-based ink pens, massage therapy gift certificates, etc.

12. Finally, the honeymoon beckons. How about a Nature Conservancy Adventure on protected land, backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail, or visit the rainforest in Costa Rica.

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