So I’m crazy excited for today’s Fab Friday, featuring my good friend Julie Barro of The Happy Healthy You.  Julie and I met about a month before her May wedding at an amazing woman’s networking and empowerment group we are part of, and we instantly loved each other!  One of the first things I felt being in Julie’s presence was her positive, calm, and grounding energy, which is why it’s clear she’s found her calling in helping people feel the same way.  As most of you know I’m not married (yet!), but I’ve always worked to put myself in my couples’ shoes (especially my brides, since most of the stress tends to fall on them), so I could try to understand the chaos and pressures of wedding planning and offer good advice for how to cope.  Since Julie just went through this process recently, I naturally decided for her expertise on both surviving and thriving through wedding planning and life in general!

Thank you Julie!!!

Below is a picture from Julie & Angelo’s post wedding winery lunch that I shot and had a blast at!  xo

Dearest Beautiful Bride,

Having just recently gotten married, I know how stressful and busy the time leading up to your big day can be.

I want to share a few things you can do to help you relax and get ready to enjoy the magic of the wedding weekend.   We live our lives so fast that it’s incredibly important to take the time to slow down and connect to yourself.  This way, you’ll be so empowered by your inner beauty that your outer beauty will radiate from within.

6 months pre-wedding: FLIRT

Yes, I recommend you start “flirting” more than ever before.  Smile at strangers. Wink at bank tellers. Nod. Touch. Make eye contact and connect with everyone around you. We think about flirting as seduction but it actually just about owning your feminine power. When you connect with others around you, you feel more connected to yourself. You feel sexy and radiant. Flirting is really just about being in that place of confidence that everyone around you is better because you are in their presence. WInk. Wink. Nudge. Nudge.   SMILE: You’re the beauty bride!

3 months pre-wedding: SWEAT

Move your body. When you are in your body, it’s much harder to abuse your body. Some people love yoga, some like the gym, others enjoy swimming, kick-boxing, dancing….can you find your version of pleasurable movement? Maybe it’s just dancing around your living room to your favorite song for 3 minutes. Dance it out. Sweat it out. Enjoy your life. It’s actually quite fun!

1 month pre-wedding: READ BY CANDLE LIGHT

Light candles right before you crawl into bed with your favorite book. So simple and sweet.  It will help you relax and unwind at the end of each day.  Beginning a ritual like this the month before your wedding will dramatically decrease your stress.

2 weeks pre-wedding: GET A MASSAGE

Have someone touch you!  There is nothing that will more quickly connect you to your body and your sexiness than having an incredible massage.  Not only will you feel more relaxed, the massage will also help to move stagnant energy and release stored toxins allowing you to feel totally refreshed and renewed.

1 week pre-wedding: SURRENDER

7 days until the wedding.  There is only so much you can do at this point.  I recommend you chose to let go of anything isn’t done at this point.  When you surrender, no set backs can get you down because you know how to look for the lesson in everything. Challenges are mere detours on this amazing adventure we call life. When things don’t go according to plan, you’re just being redirected. Say thank you.   You always have a choice:  You can choose to let something bother you or you can choose to take a deep breath and know everything will be just find.

Weddding Day: APPRECIATE YOUR AWESOMENESS!

You are the only version of you that has even been created. The things you used to view as insecurities are actually what make you perfectly you. You are one of a kind. You have so many special qualities. You are strong. You are beautiful. You only have one precious moment on this earth…can you live it with no regrets? Remember that the next time you walk into a room. Stand in yourself! You are perfection in feminine form!  Own that feeling as you walk down the aisle.

About Julie!!!

Julie Santiago is a former Wall Street trader turned Holistic Health & Happiness Coach after realizing that her health and happiness were inextricably linked.  She now shows women how to step into their purpose, live life fully and play like they never have before so they can be outrageously happy.  If you’re interested in any of Julie’s work, you can find more info at www.thehealthyhappyyou.com

Styled by: Misty Spinney

Special effects added by: Misty Spinney & Korina Stratton

Models: Kristina Quinones, Hi’iaka Ambrose, Misty Spinney, Korina Stratton, Traci Krespo & Kris Englund

xo,