Wearing a Short Wedding Dress? 5 Tips for Fabulous Legs

Traditionally, wedding dresses were either elegant, long, and flowing, or full-skirted, long, and princess-style.  Today, many brides are choosing to wear a short wedding dress, either just above the knee, or mid-calf length. If your legs are one of your best assets, why wouldn’t you want to show them off on your big day?

If you’re opting for a short wedding dress, check out these tips to make sure your pins are in tip-top condition on your wedding day:
1. Tone
Unfortunately, there’s no quick-fix for this one. Many brides who are going for a short wedding dress will opt to take part in fitness classes ahead of their big day anyway, so that they feel confident and in-shape, but if you’re wearing a short dress you may want to focus more on your legs.
If you don’t want to pay for a Personal Trainer to help you work on specific areas, these exercises should help. Look them up on YouTube for tutorials on how to do them correctly, and aim to start at least 6 months before your wedding day:

• Spin class is a great cardiovascular exercise that will do wonders for toning your legs.
• Build up the amount of time you can do on the cross-trainer, and increase the resistance to really feel the burn!
• It might look easy, but the stair-master will challenge even the fittest of females. If you aren’t attending a gym, take the stairs wherever you can instead.
• Resistance training doing squats, kettle bell swings, step-ups, and lunges will work all of your leg and bum muscles, and the best bit is many exercises can be done at home with no equipment needed.

2. Buff and Polish
Legs are often forgotten about under leggings and jeans, especially throughout the winter, so get into a regular routine exfoliating and moisturising your legs.
A good quality Body Butter will do wonders, and in the run-up to the big day, you could even have a salon treatment to give them extra TLC. Most salons will offer some form of leg revive, sea algae leg mask, or body brushing treatment.
3. Hair Removal
Ideally, you’ll want to get a full leg wax 2-3 days before your big day, but if you aren’t a fan of waxing, shaving is a good alternative. Use a high quality men’s razor (it’s worth the extra spend), and a good quality shaving foam.
It’s best to have some growth before shaving, as you will get a cleaner shave, so leave it as long as you can before the wedding.

4. Get the Glow
The exfoliating and moisturising prep you have been doing if following this guide will stand by you whether you are getting a DIY tan or a salon spray tan. You should do your tan the day before the wedding, and if waxing or shaving, it should be done the day before you get your tan – this will give your skin the chance to calm and settle before applying product.
While Sally Hansen is a fantastic instant tan for a quick fix, it does transfer onto clothes and isn’t a great option for your wedding day. Skinny Tan is a great developing tan that is very easy to apply and doesn’t streak. If you’re doing your own tan, start practicing a month or so before your wedding day, so you’ll have the perfect application.
Remember: Exfoliate – Tan – Moisturise
5. Don’t Forget Your Feet
With a short wedding dress, not only will your legs be on show, but so will your feet. Get a salon pedicure or start doing your own at home in the run up to the big day, and if wearing open toe shoes don’t forget to get your toenails painted as well.
By Rachel Doherty, Excalibur Press

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