From The Straits Times    |

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Weddings can take weeks, months and sometimes years of planning, and it’s all over in one day.

Like the build up to Christmas, your pre-wedding excitement and anticipation all comes to a head in the space of 24 hours and then it’s all over in the clink of a champagne flute. Brides and grooms can often feel deflated after their wedding day and experience post-wedding blues.

But there are ways to rectify this by recreating the excitement of your wedding day. Follow these 10 top tips and you’ll be reliving your big day in no time.

Top 10 ways to recreate the excitement of your wedding day

1. First (second) dance
Do you remember that magical, almost fairytale-like moment of your first dance? Recreate this tingly, bubbly feeling by playing your first dance song and enjoying a slow dance in your living room. Dim the lights, close the curtains and just be in the moment together. It’s so easy to slip back into your normal routine post-wedding and forget to make time for each other, so enjoy a romantic moment together to reconnect.

2. Pamper yourself
Just like your pre-wedding pampering when you felt like a princess, you can feel just as special after your big day by treating yourself to some TLC. Who’s to say you can’t book in for a manicure to show off your wedding band or a relaxing massage to relieve the pressure of wedding planning over the past months? Just because you’re no longer a bride it doesn’t mean you can’t be pampered.

3. Girls and guys on the town
Recreate the excitement of your hen night or stag do by gathering together your best girlies or guys for a night out. Call it a post-wedding celebration. Alternatively, you could go for a delicious meal or invite your pals round for some laidback drinks at home. Studies have shown that friends have a positive effect on our health, boosting things such as our brain health and heart health and even our cardiovascular health – those fits of laughter don’t just exercise your stomach muscles!

4. Scrapbook
Make a window in your week to sit down and gather some mementos from your big day. Buy yourself a scrapbook or a pretty memento box to store those special memories forever. Wedding items such as personalised napkins from your reception, one of your wedding invitations, some pressed petals from your bouquet or your garter create a capsule of your special day and help you relive some of those special moments. The handkerchief your dad passed to you at the altar, the confetti your guests scattered over you on leaving the ceremony or a piece of tissue kissed with your wedding day lipstick all make sentimental keepsakes.

5. Food & drink
What did you eat on your wedding day? Croissants, strawberries and champagne for brunch? Fillet of beef and fondant potato for your wedding breakfast, followed by chocolate and berry torte? What about your welcome drinks? Passion fruit cocktails or maybe pink champagne? Taste and smell are powerful senses which can trigger memories of the past. Recreate some of the foodie elements from your wedding by cooking at home with your partner.

6. Give yourself a goal
In the run up to your wedding day you may have set yourself certain goals to achieve in time for the big day. Losing weight, toning up or even growing your hair are just some of the things brides and grooms may set out to do. Give yourself another goal to achieve in the months after your wedding such as keeping off the weight you lost for your wedding or decorating your home. Your goal should hopefully drive you and keep you occupied to reflect that pre-wedding feeling.

7. Wedding night revival
Inject your marriage with some of the magic from your wedding night. Run a bubble bath, whip out that silk lingerie and crack open some champagne. Light some candles or buy some fairy lights to wrap around your bed frame to create a romantic mood, then simply spend some quality time together as a married couple to reconnect and feel close. Make this a weekly date and you’ve got yourself a happy marriage!

8. Mini-break
It’s likely that you haven’t got a great deal of spare cash after your wedding and honeymoon – after all, the two don’t tend to come cheap. However, once a few months have passed and you’re ‘out of the red’ bank balance-wise, it might be a nice idea to book a small break. Even just one night away – camping, in a hotel or at a spa – will regenerate some of those exhilarating feelings you had on your honeymoon.

9. Fulfill your role as a wife or husband
Try not to feel too blue once your wedding is over. After all, the best is yet to come. Remember that even though your magical day has passed, you still have the rest of your lives to enjoy together. Being a husband or wife is a wonderful role in life, so make sure you fulfill it and make the most of it. Look after one another, be there to offer support and make sure you spend time together. Those happy feelings from your wedding day about the prospect of being one another’s lifelong partner will be reflected by doing so.

10. Buy yourselves a wedding gift
After the thrill and pleasure of opening your wedding gifts has passed, you could always splurge a little on yourselves to imitate this excitement. Why not choose something new for your home? Something you actually like, not like the novelty salt and pepper shakers you begrudgingly accepted. Alternatively, you could buy an expensive bottle of wine to share or tickets to see a concert. Or, for something a little more special, how about a pet?

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READ MORE ON GETWED.COM
How to deal with post-wedding blues
5 easy ways to make your marriage stronger

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