Wedding season is upon us, and that means that brides and bridesmaids are going to be working hard to slim down and look their best for the big day. Waist training can absolutely be a part of your daily strategy for a healthier lifestyle and a slimmer figure.

We get a lot of questions about how to best prepare for weddings. So as summer approaches, we decided to compile some of the best tips for effective waist training in time for optimal results for your wedding day.

Let's get slim!

Waist Training Timeline

The first thing you’ll want to consider when planning out a waist training timeline before the wedding day is how long it will take to achieve the best results.

Obviously, the more time you have to slim down, the better. We recommend waist training for six months or more. However, even if the wedding is only a month away, it’s better to do some waist training than none at all.

Here are some recommendations based on how much time you have:

The six-month timeline (ideal)

• Month 1:
  Begin waist training! Be sure to take a “before” photo as well as waist measurements so that you can track your progress. Start out at just an hour or two a day and gradually work your way up to at least eight hours a day. For a daily commitment we recommend having at least two waist trainers in your wardrobe: one for everyday use, and one for workouts.
• Month 2:
  By now, you should be aiming to be wearing your waist trainer all day, up to twelve hours. It should feel like a second skin, and you may even be able to tighten it to a different setting because of the results you are already achieving. If you’re not already, aim to be working out with a mixture of strength training and cardio, four to five times a week. Don’t forget to take progress photos and measurements!
• Month 3:
  Are you noticing taller posture and more confidence in the way you look? You may have even dropped a pant size by now. Continue to strive for your goals with a nutritious diet and lots of water intake.
• Month 4:
  How is that first waist trainer fitting now? If it doesn’t feel as tight as it used to, even when on the tightest setting, it may be time to size down! You’ve been working hard, so go ahead and treat yourself. If you’re planning on wearing a bridal corset under your wedding dress, take that into consideration as you pick it out (see more tips below).This is also about the time you’re going to have your dress fitted and altered. The bodice should be measured and the dress hemmed. Be sure to wear the waist trainer or shapewear that you plan to wear on your wedding day during your fitting for the most accurate measurements.
• Month 5:
  You’re hitting the home stretch and it should be an easy and natural part of your routine by now. Keep tracking your progress!
• Month 6:
  This is it! Aside from all of the last minute preparations and celebrations, you’ll want to be sure everything about your overall look is perfect. Break in your shoes as well as your corset if you’re going to wear one. Go in for the final fitting to make minor adjustments to your gown. Don’t forget to take your final progress photo and measurements of your waist! Then go celebrate in a big way! You’ve earned it.

The one-month countdown
Whether you’ve been waist training for months or you want to get serious at the last minute, this one-month plan that includes a core-strengthening routine will get you fast results:

• Gradual waist training:
  If you haven’t been waist training regularly, don’t jump into it full force. You still need to work up your endurance. Wear your waist trainer for no more than two hours the first time and then gradually work your way up each day. You can take a break once a week if desired. You should be able to wear your waist trainer for up to twelve hours a day after a couple of weeks. If it helps while you’re adjusting, break up your training into two shorter sessions each day.
• Core strengthening routine:
  By adding a little bit each day, you can focus on your core each day. Start with 15 crunches, 6 leg raises, and 10 seconds holding a full plank on day 1. Add 5 more crunches, 2 more leg raises, and 5 seconds to the plank each day. In addition to these exercises, we recommend doing cardio and additional strength training several days a week.
• Want to try a different approach that focuses on strengthening and toning all over? Try this 20-Day Full-Figure Sculpting Challenge.
• Nutrition and self-care tips for the final weeks:
  Avoid refined carbs, sugar, red meat and alcohol. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Eat tons of vegetables; they should represent about 50 percent of every meal. And try your best to get eight hours of sleep a night!

What Results To Expect
This is a big question that brides ask a lot, because of course they are going to be picking out a dress months in advance and are wondering how waist training might affect the fit. Here are some general hints and guidelines:

• Everyone’s results are different. Factors that affect how drastically waist training will affect your figure depend on how dedicated you are to doing it, how long you do it, other lifestyle factors and how much you change them while waist training, your body shape and composition, and even your genetics!
• Check out other women’s real results. While your results are going to be unique, check out these results from women who dedicated themselves to waist training to get an idea of what you might expect depending on your situation.
• Waist training won’t change your natural body type. While you can get more of an hourglass shape while wearing one, it’s not going to change your body’s ratios so much that you fit into a different category altogether. That’s why it’s important to choose a dress that flatters your natural features. If you want to show off some cleavage or your backside, do it. Every body type benefits from a slimmer waistline.
• Remember that you should do final alterations for a custom fit. This should be done a couple of weeks before the big day, so that if you have lost a lot of weight, the dress won’t be too loose. Remember that it is vital to bring the undergarments you plan on wearing to this appointment so that the alterations will be accurate.

Finding the Perfect Fit

Your waist training routine is only half of the equation when it comes to the perfect look on your wedding day. The other half is choosing a dress and the accompanying shapewear that flatters your features. While a waist trainer can also be worn as a wedding day shapewear, it might not be the best choice for every style. You can work with your dress stylist and use the information here to find the perfect pairings.

The A-line dress

This classic cut is flattering on every body type and accentuates the waist. It can pair well with a waist trainer. Alternatively, you might find that a shaping slip works well to smooth out your entire figure, while still showing off all the waist-slimming you’ve accomplished with your waist trainer before the wedding day. 

The Mermaid Dress

This figure-hugging style accentuates the hips and an hourglass shape. For the best results in this style, we recommend shapewear that perfects your butt and hips, while also smoothing your slim waist. Your best bet is probably going to be a bodysuit that provides all-over enhancement.

The Ball Gown

With the slim cut of the bodice and the flowing gown, this is the perfect dress to wear with a waist trainer to accentuate your waist. For an even more dramatic result, you might enjoy wearing a steel-boned corset, which can also be used in a waist training regimen. Just make sure you’ve broken it in before the big day.

The Sheath Dress

This elegant style of dress clings to your figure, so you’ll want to be sure that you’re flawless underneath. You’ll be able to ensure this by using a figure-contouring bodysuit. Be sure to check out backless and low-cut options if needed.

Are You Up for the Challenge?

We’re excited to see the results of many brides and wedding parties this season as they prepare for their dream weddings using waist training to achieve the look of their dreams. If you want to participate in a slim-down challenge, we’d love to see your progress and final results! Share with #BeTheHourglass on Instagram and Twitter and tag @HourglassAngel.

As always, if you have any questions about finding the perfect waist trainer for your needs, be sure to check out our Waist Training Guide or contact one of our stylists.