My Self-Care Rituals Before a Big Wedding Weekend

The night before my biggest wedding weekend of the season, I found myself standing in the middle of my bathroom, wrapped in a silk robe, candles flickering, phone silenced, and a familiar thought floated to the surface: this part—this quiet, intentional pause—is as sacred as the celebration I’m preparing for.

For years, my schedule has been filled with back-to-back weddings, high-energy bridal glam sessions, and travel that blurs the days together. I’ve done glam for brides at sunrise in vineyards, touched up bridal parties in city lofts, and even flown across states with a makeup kit as my carry-on and three hours of sleep as my only fuel. But what no one really sees on Instagram, under the highlight reels and behind the scenes of beauty chaos, is this: the ritual. The me before I pour myself into everyone else.

Over the years, I’ve learned that if I don’t take time to ground myself before these big weekends—before I hold space for brides, moms, bridesmaids, vendors, timelines, and all the emotions wrapped into one day—I start to lose pieces of myself. I’ve burned out. I’ve broken down. I’ve walked into weddings giving from an empty cup. And I don’t just mean that metaphorically—at my most recent destination wedding, I suffered a bad fall that left me with a black eye. I kept going, kept smiling, kept showing up, because that’s what I do. But it was a wake-up call. My body was telling me what I had been ignoring: I can’t keep pouring from an empty cup and expect to stay whole.

As a bridal makeup artist, I’m more than just the glam girl. I’m the calm in the chaos, the one holding the bride’s nerves, the energy of the room, the pressure of the timeline, and still expected to create flawless, glowing faces that’ll be captured in photos forever. I love it—it’s what I’m built for. But when I don’t take time to pour back into myself before these weekends, my body—and my spirit—start waving red flags. That fall was one of them.

What most people don’t realize is, in between all the luxury settings and beautiful love stories, the job itself is physically and emotionally demanding. Early call times, back-to-back clients, flying across time zones, minimal sleep, and constantly being “on” for everyone else. That kind of pace doesn’t allow room for mindless beauty routines or last-minute chaos. It demands ritual.

And not just self-care in the soul sense—but in the practical sense too. Self-care, to me, isn’t a bubble bath and a face mask slapped on five minutes before bed (although those can be part of it). It’s a deeply grounding process—a way to check back in with myself before I show up fully for others. When I don’t carve out this space before a big wedding weekend, it shows. My energy dips, my creativity lags, and I feel more like a machine than an artist. But when I do prioritize it? My energy shifts. I’m centered, magnetic, ready.

I’m writing this blog because I know I’m not the only one who gives so much of herself in her work that she forgets to check in with her own needs. Whether you’re in the wedding world, beauty world, or just hustling through life—this is for you. These rituals didn’t come from a spa day Pinterest board. They were born from burnout, bruises, breakthroughs, and the hard lesson: that I can’t show up for everyone else if I’m not first showing up for me.

The Night Before: Protecting My Peace

When you’re in the wedding industry—especially as a bridal makeup artist—your job isn’t just to show up and make people look beautiful. You set the energy and serve as the emotional buffer during timeline transitions. And to hold all of that with grace, I need to be deeply grounded before I walk in the door.

So the night before, I build a bubble of peace around me. I intentionally disconnect from the noise. No replying to DMs. No letting anxiety run the show. I silence my phone (unless I’m waiting for travel updates), and I protect my mental space the same way I protect my skin—with boundaries and care.

I start by setting the tone in my space. A candle gets lit—usually something earthy or warm, not sweet. The lighting is low. I might play something soft in the background—a chill playlist or a calming frequency. I even choose my robe with intention. Silky, clean, luxurious. It might sound extra, but that small act reminds me I deserve softness too.

Then, I move into my physical reset. A slow, steamy shower where I exfoliate away not just product buildup, but energetic buildup. I’ll use a body polish with essential oils that make me feel fresh and grounded. I imagine washing off the week, the travel, the logistics, and letting it all go.

When I step out, I layer on moisture—head to toe. Not rushing through it. Just letting myself be present with every step. Sometimes I journal. Sometimes I just sit and breathe. But there’s always a moment of stillness. No makeup. No noise. No one needing anything from me.

I’ve learned the hard way that if I skip this ritual, I show up to the wedding in a state of reactivity. More tense, more rushed, more drained. But when I take this night seriously, I enter the day calm, magnetic, and clear. That presence isn’t accidental—it’s chosen.

This ritual is the difference between walking in as a burnt-out vendor or as the grounded artist who lights up a room without saying a word. And that’s the woman I choose to be.

The Makeup Reset: Clean, Intentional, and Ready to Serve

Before any major wedding weekend, I go through what I call my makeup reset—and honestly, it’s just as much about energy as it is about sanitation. In my line of work, my kit isn’t just a collection of brushes and palettes—it’s an extension of me. It’s what I use to touch people’s faces on one of the most photographed, emotionally-charged days of their lives. So I treat it with reverence. I need to know that every single product I pack is clean, intentional, and fully prepared to deliver excellence. Because if I feel disorganized, scattered, or unprepared when I open that kit—I carry that energy into the entire room. To see more of what I carry in my makeup kit, check out my most recent blog—What's In My Artist Kit vs. My Personal Makeup Bag.

My reset usually starts with a full teardown of my kit. I deep-clean every brush with intention. Each brush is washed, rinsed, reshaped, and laid out like a sacred tool. I sanitize my palettes and products with 70% alcohol, not just for hygiene, but because it’s a ritual of respect—for my brides, for my artistry, and for the responsibility that comes with touching someone’s skin. I check expiration dates, wipe down handles, restock disposables, and reconfigure my layout so that everything feels aligned, intuitive, and calm. This isn’t something I rush through. I usually make space for it in the quiet of the evening, often with music playing, candles lit, and no distractions. It’s meditative and necessary for a makeup artist.

Here’s what a step-by-step looks like:

• Deep-clean every brush (no quick spritzes, just thorough cleansing)

• Sanitize my palettes and powders with 70% alcohol

• Double-check expiration dates—yes, even for powders

• Restock disposables like wands, sponges, cotton rounds

• Clean and organize my makeup kit in a way that feels intuitive

• Charge my lights and devices, and prep my artist belt as if preparing for a performance

But beyond the physical prep, the makeup reset is where I shift into the energy of service. As I clean, I release any residue from past weddings, past clients, or even personal stress. I think about the brides I’ll be working with—their energy, their dreams, the fact that they’ve chosen me to be part of their most important day. That deserves more than surface-level readiness. It deserves presence. So when I zip up that kit, it’s not just sanitized—it’s cleansed. It’s filled with intention, creativity, and care. By the time I walk into the bridal suite, I’m not just a makeup artist—I’m a calm, confident, clean-energy artist ready to serve at the highest level.

Nourishment—Inside and Out

If I don’t eat well before a wedding day, I feel it—physically, mentally, and energetically. In my work, I am often the first to arrive and the last to leave. We’re on our feet, working in high-pressure environments, managing timelines, navigating intense emotions, and giving constant energy. And if my body isn’t supported with the right fuel? The crash hits hard. That’s why I treat nourishment as part of my professional preparation—not an afterthought. What I eat (and what I don’t) the day before and morning of a wedding weekend directly impacts how grounded, focused, and radiant I feel.

I hydrate heavily, adding electrolytes or minerals to my water, and avoid anything that could cause bloating or disrupt my sleep. In the morning, I opt for a meal that’s warm, grounding, and balanced—usually something with clean protein, healthy fat, and a complex carb. Think: eggs with avocado and sweet potato, or a protein smoothie with almond butter, greens, and berries. I also prep snack packs to take with me

But nourishment doesn’t stop at food. I also dress intentionally in clothing that lets me breathe but still feel powerful. I’ll choose soft fabrics, structured silhouettes, and colors that feel luxe but low-effort. I pack a water bottle I love, a tinted lip balm that hydrates, maybe even a calming aromatherapy roller in my kit. These tiny, nourishing details remind me that I’m a whole person—not just an artist performing a task. When I’m fed, hydrated, and dressed in something that feels like me, I walk in taller. More regulated. More magnetic. And that kind of energy will always be contagious.

The Energetic Boundary-Setting

This might be one of the most important rituals I have—and it’s been a quiet theme throughout this entire blog. Before I walk into any glam session, I say a small affirmation. Sometimes out loud, sometimes just in my mind. But always with intention. It sounds simple, but it acts like a spiritual shield—a reminder that I’m here to serve, not absorb.

After everything I’ve experienced—the fall that left me with a black eye, the broken arm I've been healing since March, the emotional and physical toll this job can take—I’ve realized that not all energy is good energy. Some people carry heavy, frantic, or even negative energy, and when you're in close proximity as a makeup artist, it’s easy to unintentionally take it on. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when I don’t protect myself.

So I protect my peace before I ever pick up a brush. My affirmation is my way of grounding, of setting a boundary between me and whatever chaos I might walk into. Sometimes I even wear a small protective charm or keep an energy-cleansing spray in my kit. Whether it’s spiritual, energetic, or just a personal belief, it reminds me that I’m not just walking into a job—I’m stepping into a space that requires presence, boundaries, and above all, protection.

I wrote this because I know there are so many artists, creatives, and women out there who show up fully for others—but forget to show up for themselves. These rituals are how I remember who I am before I go be everything for everyone else.

And if you're reading this because you're a bride-to-be, an artist, or just someone in a season of hustle—please know that taking time for yourself isn't indulgent. It’s how you stay in your magic. 

If you’ve made it this far, see how I continue healing, protecting my peace, and stepping into my power over on Instagram and TikTok. I share the real, the raw, and everything in between. And as always, stay close—there’s so much more coming to the blog.