I remember the start of my wedding day very distinctly. As I woke up, my eyes settled on a stack of books on my floor — I can’t remember what books they were, though — and I simply thought, “Yup, this is my wedding day.” Then I got up, took a shower, and drove to meet my hair stylist. She doesn’t usually work Saturdays and had suggested she open the salon for me that morning so I could get my hair done in the peace and quiet of her studio. By myself.

It was wonderful. I made the twenty-minute drive to her studio alone. As I sat in the chair and she pinned one curl after another atop my head, we chatted about how she had styled my mother’s hair for my parents’ wedding, too. Then I made the twenty-minute drive home alone. Just a few minutes after I arrived, my parents headed out to the church to oversee the final decorations. I have no idea where my brother was during all of this. All I know is that, until my bridesmaids arrived about an hour later, I was alone. It was quiet and peaceful. Just me and the cat.

Not every bride is going to want that solitude on her wedding day. Some brides want to be surrounded by supportive family members from the moment they awake, or they’ll want to get the party started with breakfast. I was not that kind of bride. I needed that bit of solitude and stillness to just process that this was my wedding day.

So my advice for this week is simple: If you’re the kind of bride who wants to be with friends and family nonstop on her wedding day, plan accordingly. If you’re the kind of bride who could use a quiet hour to herself on the morning of her wedding, plan accordingly. Most likely you won’t find peace and quiet on your wedding day unless you schedule it in. And believe me — I can tell you from personal experience that I think it’s well worth it.~ Laura