10 Tips for Planning a Healthy and Safe Wedding

Commit Yourself to a Healthy Body and Mind

Wedding planning can be an exciting and stressful time of life. While looking forward to your special day, you might feel overwhelmed by all the "to-dos" on your list. There can be so many decisions to make—from the wedding dresses and flowers to cakes and décor. And don't forget the budget.
Remember to put yourself on the wedding checklist, with good health and safety habits. While you're planning the parties, wedding, and honeymoon, stay committed to your total health—physical and mental.

Wedding Checklist: 10 Tips for Physical and Mental Health

Get at least 2½ hours of physical activity a week. The more you do, the greater the health benefits and the better you'll feel—not only for the wedding, but beyond.
Do more physical activity if you want to lose weight. Physical activity increases the number of calories your body uses for energy—that is, how many calories your body burns off.
Plan your workouts. It may be tempting to cram in workouts to drop weight quickly right before the wedding day, but this can lead to unwanted stress and injury.
Love yourself and others with heart-healthy eating that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and foods low in sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Avoid crash diets. Check out heart-healthy menus for the wedding, reception, and other celebrations.
If you smoke, quit now. It's a perfect gift to yourself and loved ones.
Learn ways to manage stress, including finding support and asking for help, connecting socially, maintaining a normal routine, setting limits, and relaxing. Talk with others about your feelings and take care of yourself by sticking to your normal routine.
Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation, which is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for women, and up to 2 drinks per day for men. Choose not to drink and drive.
Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
If you're going abroad for your honeymoon, get travel health information for your location. Know what vaccinations you will need for the trip.
Get your check-up. Don't put off exams and health screenings.

Wedding Checklist: 5 Tips for Safety

Know the rules of food safety. Protect yourself, family, and friends by learning how germs can be found in contaminated food and sometimes make you sick.
Limit alcohol use. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as having up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. Don't drink alcohol and drive.
Host activities in smoke-free venues.
Choose and place decorations so they do not increase the risk for falls, burns, or other types of injuries.
Travel safely. Wear seat belts while riding in a motor vehicle.

Preparing for Your Honeymoon

Research ways to stay safe and healthy during your honeymoon. Keep up with latest travel information and safety tips from the U.S Department of State.
Stay healthy on a cruise. Cruise ship outbreaks of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, primarily caused by norovirus, have been reported. The best way to prevent illness is frequent handwashing with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) is a good second choice. You will see hand sanitizer dispensers throughout your cruise ship—use them.
Check the health scores for cruise ships. Vessel sanitation programs give information on everything from the cleanliness of cutting boards to food inspection reports.
Whether you're going abroad or staying close to home, pack and use sunscreen, insect repellent, and appropriate safety gear for activities (such as helmets, life jackets, and knee pads). These steps may lower your risk for illness and injury.

Being True to Yourself

Ask yourself a few questions. Does your partner seem overbearing or controlling? Is there any abuse or violence in your relationship? Often, intimate partner violence starts with emotional abuse. This behavior can progress to physical or sexual assault.

Pay attention to anything interfering with your ability to be safe and healthy or increasing your risk for disease or injury.
Schedule an appointment to see your health provider, a counselor, or others for help if you are feeling depressed or anxious.

Learn more tips to have a safe and healthy wedding and honeymoon!