Weddingbee Blog

Most brides take steps before their weddings to ensure that they look their most beautiful on that special day. They increase the frequency or intensity of their workouts or hire personal trainers. They try new facial cleansers and products. They rub in self-tanning lotion. They buy new hair products. They keep their fingers and toes nicely manicured. They affix teeth whitening strips. Some—especially if they are featured on reality television shows—even get plastic surgery.

Image via Remote Patrolled / Screen shot of E!’s Bridalplasty

Now, I am not going to be getting breast implants or a nose job before our wedding. But I am doing many other things to look my best, especially now that we are less than three months away our wedding. I think that it is important to take care of your body (and skin and hair and teeth) all of the time, but there is special pressure to do so when you are going to be photographed hundreds of times by someone whom you are potentially paying thousands of dollars. I know that my wedding day is going to be, without any doubt, the most photographed day of my life.

I am also anticipating smiling on this day more than any other: out of happiness, for pictures. As a result, I made an important appointment with my dentist two months ago. You see, back in August 2010, I took a pretty bad spill off my bicycle. In fact, it was a really bad spill. I was crossing some diagonal railroad tracks when my front wheel got caught. I flipped over my handlebars and fell, face-first, on the concrete. Thankfully, I was okay. A little shaken and bloody, but okay. My teeth, however, were not. The impact of the fall caused both of my front teeth to chip.

Jagged teeth at the Brewers game

I recognize now that the fact that my front teeth were chipped was not immediately apparent to others. But I felt terribly self-conscious. I hid my smile—something that Mr. Mole once told me was one of my best features—behind hands or closed lips. I worried that people would judge me for my teeth. I cringed when I saw photographs that showed off my smile.

I knew that I did not want to cringe at my wedding photos. So I decided to get my teeth fixed. I spent some time debating between bonds and veneers, but I ultimately decided to go with bonds. (More money for our budget!) The whole process took less than an hour, making me wonder why I waited so long. I spent so much unnecessary time and energy being so self-critical about something that was such an easy fix.

I’m ready for my close-up, photographer!

In this photo, you can see the places where my front teeth were cracked. My teeth are still not “perfect,” but I am now all-smiles! Just like I will be in January.

I was pretty pumped to be back in Chicago for our friend’s wedding in October!

Did you decide to make any minor (or even major) changes to your appearance in anticipation of your wedding?