After months of careful planning, all the elements of your wedding vision will coalesce on a single moment, a single scene: the end of the aisle.
Just as your mind's eye has focused, fretted and fantasised about that single point in time and space, the collective gaze of your congregation will also now be resolutely pinned to it.
Given that most of us probably don't sashay in gorgeous yet delicate dresses down pseudo-catwalks on any kind of a regular basis (and certainly not in killer heels), the growing realisation that lots of people - lovely and loving certainly, but still, lots - will be looking at you, comes as something of a shock.
Your private relationship is suddenly very public.
Whilst every rational part of your brain sensibly reminds you that this is a day for you both as a couple, its panicky corollary breaks out into a cold sweat, goes red and blotchy and frantically searches for a brown paper bag to regulate its breathing because it knows, for these few seconds at least, that all eyes will, in fact, be on you: the girl in the dress.
Nurtured through adolescence by the comforting 'girl gets guy' paradigm and weaned on the schmaltz of a thousand '90's 'I do' scenes - Kylie and Jason (sob); Julia in Steel Magnolias (sniff) - I, for one, was hyper-aware that this event, whichever way I cut it, was a climactic moment in my life story.
This would be my close-up; the swelling music would be my cue; the lens would be pointed in my direction...to my abject horror, I realised that the aisle would be a red carpet-esque situation.
Again, rational, mature brain sat me down with a cup of sugary tea and in calming tones attempted to reassure me that the hours spent choosing, fitting and accessorising the dress meant I was up to the scrutiny.
Its counterpart duly fainted.
Yet, it seems I am not alone in experiencing this stage fright.
The cure? Confidence.
Where this seemingly mythic feeling is to be found is, of course, the subject of whole shelves of Waterstones - indeed an entire industry - and I cannot claim to have many answers. All I can offer is some of the ways I, and other local brides and brides-to-be, have grasped its elusive form by getting fit for the role of leading lady.
THE RUNNING BRIDE
Bride: Me!
Wedding date: 03.09.13
Fitness strategy: run down your fears
Six months before I walked down the aisle the furthest I had ever run was 5km; on my honeymoon I ran a cool 18km from downtown San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge.
The wedding gave me a clear time frame in which to achieve goals I had previously thought beyond me.
My fiancee joked that I was putting in more hours running so I could leg-it if needed on the day. The truth was that I found it to be amazing stress therapy. The space my regular 5km afforded me assuaged all the little concerns that could not help but accumulate as the wedding day approached.
The fear of being under the gaze of others motivated me to put on my trainers more times a week than before; however, it's the feeling of accomplishment that kept them on week after week. Not only that, but my personal bests gave me confidence in my body's ability to hold its own...and suddenly the aisle didn't feel quite so long anymore.
Top tip: the free Strava app helps you track run times, distances and log personal bests. I found this really helped keep my motivation up.
THE QUEEN OF APPS
Bride-to-be: Rachel Gould, senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist
Wedding date: 11.01.14
Fitness strategy: net some free classes; take every 'apportunity'
My goal is to get fit and get toned. I am not planning on losing weight.
I'm around the 9st 7lb mark and have been for years - any mention of me losing weight to friends and family is normally followed by a big sigh and comments such as "you don't need to lose weight", so I've stopped saying that now. I just want to be healthy and feel comfortable on the day.
I've always played netball once a week and run three to four times but, despite the dark evenings this year, I want to really focus on sustaining my routine.
The tricky thing is I'm out of the house at 7.30am and back in at 6.30pm after a long day in the hospital (a bad source of cakes and biscuits!)
I therefore started doing circuits at home using the Nike Training Club app on my iPad. I do these 15-45 minute workouts two or three times a week and they make me ache much more than my ten-mile weekend run does. My thinking is that if it makes me ache then it's got to be good for me!
There's a gym attached to my complex where I live so, if it's raining, I can use the free weights in there. To counteract the weights and circuits, I try to do one session of yoga. Again, either on the Nike app or streamed from YouTube.
I also try to eat a healthy well balanced diet. I avoid alcohol during the week (empty calories), but still enjoy it at the weekend. I used to be a chocoholic and had no self-control, easily eating a tub of Ben and Jerry's in a night...much to my partner's dismay! So, I've stopped buying chocolate and replaced it with popcorn. If the bad treats are not in the house I don't eat them. Easy! I also stay hydrated, as I am someone who struggles to differentiate between hunger and thirst.
I think the main thing to focus on is the long-term implications of any fitness regime. Obviously, there's a short-term goal to try and get fit for your wedding, but that doesn't mean that after the wedding you want to resort back to your usual routine (especially if it's an unhealthy one). I always tell my patients that to make a permanent change to your weight, then you have to make permanent changes to your lifestyle.
Top tip: Nike Training Club app and Yogatics on YouTube. Working late means I miss most of the classes around so I try and be creative and source them online.
THE ONE-TO-ONE WONDER
Bride: Sarah Milligan, property manager at Cornish Gems
Wedding date: 12.10.13
Fitness strategy: personal training
Alan Law
Wanting to walk down the aisle feeling the best version of myself I could be, I employed the services of a personal trainer. I'm never going to be a size 8, but wanted to feel more confident about being the centre of attention.
As my dress was relatively simple and came in under budget, I decided to invest the money I'd saved on things to make me feel good.
I had my first personal training session in March and managed to lose 1.5 stone and, more importantly, quite a few inches by the wedding in October.
Adopting the simple principle of 'eat less, move more', my trainer, Anne Johansson, encouraged me to meet my goals in a way that suited my lifestyle.
I enjoy food, so we worked on the basis that I would still eat what I wanted in moderation and just cut out carbs in the evening. I also like a glass of wine or two at the weekend, so I swapped this for a slimline gin and tonic and saved myself a lot of calories.
This fitness regime was supposed to be a short-term plan for the wedding, but I enjoyed it so much it's continued. Feeling fitter energised me through the planning process and, I think, made me calmer on the day.
Top tips: focus on making changes that make you feel special. I spent cash I'd saved in other areas on my ace personal trainer and other long-term benefits like teeth whitening!
EIGHT STEPS TO AISLE-READY
Get into aisle-perfect shape with these top tips from running coach Louise Hewison...
1. Plan to work out
Plan ahead and put your workouts in your diary; think of them as a meeting you can't miss. Also make a log of work outs you've done, so you can see your progress.
2. Mix it up
Burn fat with cardio and tone your muscles with resistance training to keep your gorgeous curves in all the right places.
3. Have fun
Vary your workouts to keep your exercise routine fun. Try out a new class or activity and add something new every four-six weeks. If you're exercising alone, a good music playlist can help give you a boost.
4. Buddy up
Find a friend to work out with so you can motivate each other. There's nothing like a bit of healthy competition to push you that little bit harder.
5. Stand tall
A good posture will help you while working out: breathing will be easier; you'll put less pressure on your joints and will reduce the risk of injuries - and you will immediately look slimmer, taller, more confident and vibrant.
6. Don't diet
The best way to maintain a healthy weight is by eating healthily. There's plenty of advice available online for healthy eating plans. Have a look at the NHS Good Food guide on nhs.uk/LiveWell/GoodFood/Pages/Goodfoodhome.aspx
7. Hydrate
Water boosts your metabolism, helps you feel more alert and encourages your digestive system to work more efficiently. It will also keep you looking younger by giving your skin a healthy glow and making your hair shine.
Tips for staying hydrated:
1 Keep a bottle of water with you during the day.
2 If you're going to be exercising, make sure you drink water before, during and after your workout.
3 Start and end your day with a glass of water or warm water with lemon.
4 When you're feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water.
8. Walk before you run
If running and gyms aren't for you, then why not just wrap up and head outside for some fresh air and a good old walk? You don't need to spend a lot of money or have lots of fancy equipment. There are so many ways to get regular exercise that are free.
Top tip: There are some great free apps available with training tips and workout plans to help you keep track of your workouts and eating habits. My Fitness Pal is a great way to keep a record of what you're eating and how much you're moving.
Healthy choices can change your physical appearance, giving you a cloak of confidence. Yet they change how you feel from within. Ultimately, this - inside - is where lasting confidence lies. If your wedding day helps you tap into that, it is the best wedding present you will receive. Like your marriage, it will last a lifetime.
For more information on Louise Hewison visit www.runtobecome.com
For more information on Anne Johansson search AJ Fitness on Facebook
words Rebecca Ritson
Copyright Wed magazine 2014
