PSA Wedding Tips Needed!
Hey friends! I recently got engaged (June at the Royal Gorge, yay!) and we are getting married this December! My sweet fiance is my biggest supporter, advocate, and "flaretaker" (caretaker during my flares, of course). Now, I would love some help from this amazing community during all wedding planning! Here's what I need tips/advice on:
Shoes!!! I haven't been able to wear heels in years, other than a casual pair of 1-inch wedges from Vionics. I would really love to wear at least a little heel, but I'm struggling to find something. I bought the Vionics Perris Slingback Heel in ivory. I need something close-toed, and these seemed to be a reasonable height. However, once they came in, I found out that the toe box is very narrow and my foot slides down too far, making the arch hit too far back in my heel. What should I do? I have only bought Vionic shoes in the last 3 years because they seem to be the best support for my feet, knees, hips, and back. Any tips on how I could make these work, or suggestions for other shoes to try instead?
Getting ready. I will have my hair done, but will be doing my own makeup, nails, and any other prep. Any tips for how to make this more manageable? We are having a morning wedding, so I will need to be ready by about 10/10:30, just for reference.
Stress. Wedding planning is obviously stressful, but I know how much stress can affect my health. Any tips on how to better manage it? I am also a full-time student at this time, so lots of other stressors are present!
Finally, if you guys have any other tips and tricks for wedding proceedings, I would so appreciate it! Thank you!!
Hey
, congratulations to you and your fiancé!! What lovely news 🥰 So happy for you!
I've never planned a wedding, so I hope anyone who has will stop by to share any tips with you. With the Vionics - have you tried contacting their customer services? I wonder if they may have some suggestions for you. I'm also wondering whether those gel pads that go in shoes to help with pain in the ball of the foot might stop your feet from slipping down too far into the shoe? Looking at the shoes, it looks like a half insole may also fit without being visible? I don't know whether either of those suggestions would actually work but I wanted to mention them just in case.
With getting ready, I'd personally want as much done in advance as possible. Could you do your nails a day or two earlier? Also, would the person doing your hair also wash it for you? That may take some strain off of you on the day. This all does sound rather stressful but I have no doubt that it'll be worth it in the end! I thought you might be able to relate to the following article from Elizabeth, where she talks about dealing with stress whilst wedding planning: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/stress-trigger Feel free to leave Elizabeth a comment under her article - she often responds to comments 🙂
Hoping others will chime in here with some more ideas. Keep us posted on how everything's going if/when you can (no pressure!). Hugs 💖 -Catherine, Community Moderatorthanks so much for your thoughts Catherine! I just bought some half inserts for the shoes, so fingers crossed they work!! I love the idea of having the hairdresser wash my hair, I never would’ve thought of that! And I will absolutely check out Elizabeth’s post. Thank you so much! , you're so welcome! I attended a wedding as a guest quite a few years ago now and actually went to the hairdressers (either the day before or on the same morning) and had them wash and style my hair. They couldn't believe that I would find that trip out less tiring than washing my own hair at home, but it worked out perfectly. Hair washing is just such a huge task! I really hope the insoles work - the Vionic slingbacks are such pretty shoes. If not, hopefully others will have some suggestions for wedding- and PsA-appropriate shoes. Good luck!! 💕 -Catherine, Community Moderator
Here is my one and only tip. When you do the traditional exchange of rings, remove them immediately after the ceremony. My father, a retired pastor, used to suggest this to all couples that he married, because with all the stress and excitement, fingers can swell, and rings can then become too tight. This actually happened to my wife when we were married, and we spent a good portion of our wedding night in the ER so he could get her rings cut off. Now, with PsA, I imagine that this would be a pertinent cautionary tale. If your rings are tight now, with the swelling of PsA. . . . ER visits on your wedding night suck. Thank you so much!!! I NEVER would have thought of this. My ring is slightly loose now, but it's the perfect size when my fingers swell (he had it all thought out!) but with the addition of a wedding band, I will definitely need to be cautious. Thank you for sharing!!
, Congratulations!!! How exciting to be planning a wedding. I hope the half inserts will help, could you get an extra set and wear the shoes for a little while to "test drive" them? I would have a backup pair of shoes and fresh socks ( sneakers) or something just in case your feet really play up after a while, I am thinking of some white Converse or something like that.
I agree with Catherine, about having hair done, because that is a tiring thing to get done.
Make sure you stay hydrated and on top of your usual care routine for your psa. I am very excited for you.
Warmly, Clair ( Team Member)I have been "test driving" them haha, and it's been very helpful. Part of the struggle is relearning how to walk in heels since I haven't worn anything above an inch in probably 5 years. So between wearing them around and adding the inserts, we've made progress! This is fantastic! I am so glad there is progress, I am sure the excitement is getting real. December is creeping closer. How has your psa been behaving?
Warmly, Clair ( Team Member)
Hi
, I had my wedding in May this year. I was also very stressed about managing my PsA and symptoms on the wedding day. My best advice is to start planning early. Make use of your friends and fiance to help you organize the wedding day. What worked really well for me was having a wedding coordinator on the day of the wedding. That way I didn't have to deal with problems on the day of the wedding.
I also switched out of my heels once the ceremony was done! Make sure to sit down often during the photos! It can take really long and standing for that long is just a big no no for me!
Luckily for me, my flare held off until we got back from the Honeymoon!
thanks for sharing these tips. I am sure they will be very helpful. Weddings are a magical time, but they do bring with them stress. Congratulations on your wedding in May. We here at Social Health wish you many years of wedded bliss. Vickie, Team Member
