Last night, as part of our pre-wedding anniversary celebration, my husband and I saw The Five-Year Engagement. First, let me compliment Emily Blunt’s perfect ringlets, which stayed shiny, bouncy and immaculate throughout the film (even when she was preparing to go to bed!). Second, although the movie got me cracking up for the most part, I must admit I got misty-eyed when Violet (Blunt) and Tom (Jason Segal) finally got married after everything they had been through. I remembered my own wedding, which also took 5 years to plan.

So to all brides-to-be out there, let me just say that I do understand the ordeals you’re all going through—the physical, mental and emotional strain you all had to endure to make this 4-hour celebration an affair to remember forever—and that’s on top of the pent-up anxiety all engaged couples go through. So to make sure you look your utmost best on the most important day of your life, I’d like to share with you a few bridal beauty tips I’ve learned from my own wedding experience.

1. Six months to a year before: Avoid Wedding Crashers!

You have to start your beauty and workout plan as soon as you get engaged. Crash diets never work—especially with all the food tasting and pre-wedding parties you’re bound to attend. The same goes with skin care, as your skin needs time to adjust to a new regimen. So as you book your wedding suppliers, remember to book a series of regular facial appointments and hair treatments as well, with your last appointment set no later than 2 weeks before the big day. If a chemical peel is on the agenda, get it done no later than a month before. If you’re planning to try out a new beauty product or experiment on a new hair color you’ve read from a bridal magazine, this is the best time to do that.

2. A month before: Leave No Room for Trial and Error

Once you’ve decided on which makeup artist and hair stylist to get, schedule a hair and makeup trial session at least a month before the wedding. This way, you’d know right away if the kind of hair and makeup you envisioned suits you. This will also give you the opportunity to get comfortable with the two most important persons who can make or break your wedding day look.

3. A Week Before: Here Comes the Groom

All facial and body waxing, including getting that perfect eyebrow shape, should be done at least a week before. That should give your skin enough time to recuperate from the redness and swelling that usually come after the procedure. This week is the most crucial. No matter how stressed out you get, try to steer clear of sweets, salty foods, soda and alcohol.

4. A Day Before: There’s a Reason You Have Maids

The things you’re only allowed to attend to at the last minute are your nails. Get a massage and sleep. Should last-minute problems arise, if you don’t have a wedding planner, let your maid of honor and bridesmaids handle this. This is the reason you have them in the first place.

5. On the Day: Waterproof Everything

By now you’re skin has already adapted to your current beauty regimen, don’t change anything! Also, photographers and videographers love capturing those tearful moments. So to make sure you’re picture-perfect even during your most vulnerable moments, you need to waterproof as much makeup as you can. Finally, relax, breathe and trust that you did everything you can to make this wedding a success.

6. Lastly, don’t forget to pack your Day-of Emergency Kit, which should include facial tissue and baby wipes, small mirror, bobby pins, Tide-to-Go, fashion tape, facial mist and oil blotting paper.