Weddings in the U.S.

For many women, their wedding day is one of the most memorable events of their lives. According to the Bridal Association of America, nearly 2.3 million weddings took place last year, with an average cost of $28,850. The National Association of Wedding Ministers reports June is still the most popular month for weddings. August, September and May are close behind. First-time brides are about 25 and grooms about 27.

Most brides still opt for large weddings. The average wedding party is 12 and the average number of guests is 175. 99 percent of newly married couples take a honeymoon. Some of the most popular destinations include: the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Bahamas and Jamaica.

Looking Best on the Wedding Day

On her wedding day, the bride is the center of attention, so she wants to look her best. Cosmetic Dermatologist, Ranella Hirsch, M.D., says brides need to consider how they want to achieve that "perfect" look. Some women want superficial treatments, like facials, while others opt for more intensive therapies, like chemical peels, BOTOX injections or laser resurfacing. It can take time for some skin treatments to reach their peak effects, or for the side effects of some therapies to diminish. So brides need to start thinking about their skin care needs several months before the wedding. She recommends seeing a dermatologist or skin care specialist right after the engagement. That also gives the bride time to start a good skin care routine that will help maintain her good looks long after the wedding.

As the wedding day nears, stress levels for the bride often increase. Hirsch says the hormone surge associated with stress can cause unexpected skin problems, like acne breakouts, dry skin, hives or cold sores. One of her favorite products for brides is Dermablend™ because it can be custom matched to skin color and will cover almost all skin problems, from acne and dark spots to tattoos. She also likes VISINE®. The drops remove the redness in the eyes and can fight a sudden zit. Hirsch recommends a tinted moisturizer with UV protection to provide coverage with minimal products. Two other favorites are cream blushes that can serve double duty as a lip color and Smith's Rosebud Salve to polish cuticles, moisturize hands and feet, lubricate the lips and control fly-away brows or hair.

Hirsch also reminds women that skin care planning isn't just for brides. Bridesmaids and mothers of the brides can also benefit from planning and starting a good skin care routine before the big day.

If you have any specific questions about personalized skin care, see a dermatologist or skin care specialist. For general information on skin care: American Academy of DermatologyAmerican Society for Dermatologic Surgery