Wedding planning can be a TON of work, right? It’s likely the biggest party you’ll ever throw in your life, and it is simultaneously one of the most monumental events in your personal life story. That’s a lot of pressure to place on a single day, and the months (or even years) leading up to your wedding are a whirlwind of planning, prepping, and pinning. Well, I would like to suggest another “p” word that you might not have thought about in a while: “Pampering”. My challenge to you is to take some time out this weekend to do something decadent for yourself. You’re wedding date isn’t going anywhere. Take a little time to do some self-care, and you’ll come back to work and wedding planning on Monday (or whenever your workweek starts) refreshed and ready to conquer the world. To inspire you, here are a few ideas of delicious pampering activities for your weekend:

• Have a lazy day in: Sleep in, read in bed, rent a movie on iTunes, finally crack open that bottle of wine, do some online shopping . . . whatever fun relaxing activities you can do in your PJs.
• Have an adventure: Find a local museum, restaurant, hiking trail, farmer’s market, or local landmark that you’ve never visited, and go by yourself or with a friend. Get last minute concert tickets and go out dancing. Plan a little weekend getaway nearby. Dust off your bike and hit the trail.
• Have a wedding-free weekend: Meet up with friends or family to catch up, and don’t talk about the wedding at all. Put it out of your mind for the day. Let everyone know up front that you would like to have a wedding-free day so you can enjoy their company and be totally present. Enjoy the moment and reconnect with people.
• Get a massage, hit up the spa, or give yourself a mani/pedi and facial at home.
• Sweat it out: pick an activity you love, whether it’s mountain biking or the elliptical, and work up a good sweat. There’s nothing like a good endorphin rush to clear your mind. Follow it up with a long bath and some relaxing music.
• Try meditation.
• Pick up a hobby you haven’t done in a while or practice an instrument you love to play.
• Cook up a delectable home-cooked meal for you and your honey.
• Go camping and enjoy fresh air and sunshine without distractions.
• Go to the beach and watch the waves.
• Spend the day with your bridesmaids or groomsmen and find little ways to thank them for supporting you during this exciting time in your life.
• Volunteer for a day at your local animal shelter. It might sound more like work than pampering, but after a day spent with animals, your spirits will be lifted, and you’ll feel great for giving selflessly to our furry friends.

OR

Write your own prescription! Maybe the things I’ve listed here aren’t your idea of pampering. That’s totally OK! Write your own prescription for a relaxing day that will help you to re-center. What would your perfect day of relaxation look like to you?

Enjoy your weekend!