You and your partner have been busy over the last few months planning your wedding. Now you’ve only got one thing left to do: Put your best face forward, exchange those long-awaited vows, eat food, mingle with guests, and dance the night away. Okay, so that’s five things, but you get the point. To help you handle a full day of celebrating, try these self-care tips the day before to feel refreshed and ready to say “I do.”

Eat Right and Hydrate

No one’s saying you can’t splurge a little the day before you walk down the aisle, but don’t overlook sound nutrition and hydration. You’ve probably heard that you should down eight glasses per day, but body size and pervasive health conditions can determine each person’s appropriate amount. Moreover, many recommendations don’t account for the existing water content in food. A 2018 Live Science piece reveals that most people in North America obtain up to 20 percent of their daily fluid intake from what they eat. The bottom line? Drink when you feel thirsty, and keep gulping down liquids when performing strenuous work.

As for food, Brides contributor Jen Glantz suggests skipping past the junk food and sticking to tried-and-true healthy favorites the day before your wedding. You’ll have more energy and sidestep potential problems such as indigestion, heartburn, bloating or negative reactions to unfamiliar edibles. While you’re at it, resist the temptation of skipping breakfast the next morning. Even with the inevitable time crunches, you’ll need that fuel to power you through preparations and the ceremony.

Be Careful With the Booze

Meanwhile, Wedding Ideas Magazine writer Leah Messenger advises those about to be wed to avoid overindulging in alcohol. The Mayo Clinic explains the mechanics of your body’s morning-after reaction to excessive drinking, detailing how booze can cause several unpleasant sensations:

• Dehydration through increased urination
• Prompting an inflammatory response from your immune system
• Trigging your stomach to churn out more acid
• Causing significant drops in blood sugar
• Expanding your blood vessels
• Interrupting your sleep cycle

It’s better to abstain entirely the night before you get married, but if you must imbibe, stick to a small amount and make sure you have a designated driver or another method of transport that doesn’t require you to get behind the wheel.

Build Some Downtime Into Your Day

After tending to final minutiae, winding down allows you to decompress before hopping into bed. Instead of packing wedding to-dos in from sunup to sunset, put the kibosh on planning tasks shortly before dinner and give yourself an evening of relaxation. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your crew for extra help on last-minute details, either.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Naturally, you might have a little trouble sleeping the night before you get married. Nevertheless, several hours of uninterrupted quality shut-eye are essential, especially before a long eventful day. If you usually have trouble in this department, try some of these sleep hygiene tips presented by The Knot:

• Cut off your caffeine intake after 4 p.m.
• Take a warm bath or shower at night.
• Jot down racing intrusive thoughts onto a notepad.
• Avoid using electronics with screens about an hour before bedtime.

Although they’re excellent remedies for the evening prior to your wedding, these practices are also great long-term suggestions to fix persistent sleep issues.

Self-Care Is Crucial for Both Spouses 

Whether you’re excited about getting married, a little nervous, or both, you owe it to yourself to prioritize your health and mental wellness even with a hectic wedding schedule. Meanwhile, it’s wise to encourage your future spouse to put these self-care tips into practice. By the both of you taking care of yourselves, you’ll strengthen the bond between you before tying your lives together.