I’m a sleep expert – my five tips for brides to get the best sleep before their wedding

GETTING married can be both one of the most exciting and one of the most stressful periods of anyone's life.

And after months, or sometimes years, of planning it's no surprise that couples struggle to sleep as the big day draws near.

As a bride, you face an immense amount of stress - especially in the final days that countdown to the wedding.

Even the positive stresses can cause a number of sleepless nights with all the last-minute preparations looming.

While you're trying to please everyone, it's easy to let yourself get swept up and forget to prioritise your sleep.

Luckily, one expert is on hand to share their top tips on how to get a good night's sleep before the big day.

Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee from Doctor Fox, has partnered with Get Laid Beds and revealed the five things you can do to ensure you wake up on your wedding day like a princess.

And following them can make sure you wake up feeling refreshed and radiant, and not like a Bridezilla.

Establish a pre-wedding sleep routine

It might sound silly, but getting yourself into a sleep routine a few weeks before your wedding can help make sure you get enough rest the night before.

Deborah says: “Creating a little ritual to do pre-sleep in the weeks running up to your wedding is crucial.

"You should start by going to bed at the same time every night to help regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and more importantly, STAY asleep.

"Some other additions you could add to your routine could be to take a warm bath, journaling some of those wedding nerves out, or reading your current favourite book when it’s time to wind down.”

Avoid late-night wedding planning

With so many things going on, it's so tempting to sit up at night to make sure the smallest of details are all nailed down.

But doing this will just keep you up even later and prevent you from getting any shut-eye, the experts say.

They explained: “Whilst it is tempting to want to execute all those little details that rush to you as your head hits the pillow, you don’t have to do it right that second!

"Jot it down in a notebook if it is urgent and so you don’t forget, but set it aside for the next day.

"The bedroom should be a ‘wedding-stress-free zone’, to keep a peaceful sleep environment.”

Be mindful of your diet

Most people don't realise it, but your diet can massively impact your quality of sleep.

Experts advise: “You can’t be a hangry bridezilla - that’s the worst combination.

"What you eat significantly impacts your quality of sleep.

"So, in the lead up to your big day try to not eat too late before you sleep.

"On the contrary though, making sure you are eating enough is also key as going to bed hungry can also contribute to your insomniac qualities."

Set up your sleep environment

Another thing to help make sure you get a good sleep is setting up your room so you have an optimal sleep environment.

Deborah says: "Easier said than done but ensure that your bedroom is a cool temperature, dark and quiet, as this is necessary for creating an optimal sleep environment.

"So, grab your eye mask and kick out the snoring husband/wife-to-be - it’s bad luck to see the bride before her wedding day anyway!”

How to pick the perfect wedding dress

Wedding season is in full swing, but when it comes to picking your perfect dress, most new brides-to-be probably feel a bit clueless.

As someone who’s tying the knot in August 2024, Josie Griffiths, deputy digital Fabulous editor and bride-to-be, has shared her top tips...

1. Give yourself time - unless you’re a sample size, dresses can take months to even arrive. Don’t stress yourself out by looking too late, in my opinion dress shopping should be the second thing on your list, right after finding a venue.
2. Visit multiple shops - you don’t want to be buying on your first visit.
3. But not too many - like a f***boy who can’t stop swiping on Tinder, having too much choice isn’t going to help you find The One.
4. Take people with you - women who will be honest but also hype you up, unlike the mean relatives on Say Yes To The Dress, and ideally people from different areas of your life who won’t automatically say the same thing. I shopped with my mum and two best friends, who didn’t know each other and had different styles.
5. Think it over - I returned to the shop before making my final decision on the dress I chose, re-trying it with my second favourite to make sure I was certain. It’s an expensive purchase, and you can’t send it back like you might your next Asos order, so take time to mull it over.

Don’t stress about sleep

As the saying goes, the more you stress about something, the worse it gets. So although it's hard, the best thing to do is try not to overthink it.

The experts say: “It's the last few hours before your big day. If wedding jitters keep you awake, try incorporating relaxation exercises into your day-to-day life.

"Deep breathing and visualisation techniques can help calm and prepare your body for sleep.

"Specifically before your wedding if anxiety is high, consider guided meditation exercises and soothing music to ease your mind to ensure you maximise your beauty sleep.”