Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect and live up to the picture they have in their heads, and everyone pictures herself as a trim, fit bride, moving weight loss to the top of the wedding to-do list.

Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect and live up to the picture they have in their heads, and everyone pictures herself as a trim, fit bride, moving weight loss to the top of the wedding to-do list.

There are so many details brides have to attend to, but one of the most important is how they can lose weight and look spectacular. Try the following tips to make sure you look as beautiful as you feel on your special day.

1. Pay attention to good nutrition.

Many brides feel like they need to lose some weight before they can fit into the dress of their dreams, but do yourself a big favor: don't resort to depriving your body of food and nutrition.

Diets that result in quick weight loss aren't always safe, so the key to being fit for your wedding is to start early. You can fit into your dream gown and look good in all your pictures if you follow a healthy plan for nutrition.

* To lose weight, cut calories. Simply cutting 200-250 calories (a few cookies, a slice of cake, a soda) can help you achieve your goals.

* Don't skip meals. This puts your body in starvation mode, when it stores fat instead of burning it.

* Add fiber and protein to your diet. They help with weight loss and keep you healthy so you can actually enjoy your wedding.

* Skip the convenience foods. If you are too busy to eat right, start bringing healthy snacks with you on your errands.

* Relieve stress with activity - yoga, meditation, walking, playing with your dog - instead of eating. Too often, people reach for sugary, starchy foods when they are stressed out. Do something instead.

* Don't get carried away with pre-wedding parties. Instead of grabbing a calorie-laden, bloat-inducing alcoholic drink, try water instead.

* Get the most from your calories. Sugary desserts offer no nutrition in exchange for the whopping amount of calories. Opt for fruit if you want some sweetness.

2. Exercise is critical.

If you want to lose weight for your wedding, don't wait until a week before the big event. That is not going to work.

You have to start the weight loss process far enough in advance so you can lose weight healthily. Don't harbor unrealistic expectations that you can drop pounds overnight.

* Increase your activity level. If you are not an exerciser, start. Go for walks everyday. Hop on a bike. Do anything to keep moving. If you do exercise, increase the intensity. Add high intensity intervals to your workouts and pick up some weights.

* For people who do exercise, Bride Boot Camp videos and exercise programs can be just the challenge their body needs to kick up fat and calorie burning. There are a lot of different videos offered by excellent trainers, and they can be immensely rewarding.

* Dance. It is always fun to move to music - you won't even realize you're exercising. But your body will. It also helps you get ready for your first dance as a wife.

* Here are some effective exercises:

- Cardio. Try anything to get your heart rate up.

- Pushups. These work miracles for your chest and back, which you can then show off in your dress.

- Lunges. These can be a little hard on the knees, but if you can do it, they are wonderful for your butt and thighs.

- Yoga and Pilates are effective for giving you a leaner, more graceful look.

- Use a stretchy band to add resistance and firm muscle. They can be used in both cardio and strength training routines.

- Stand up straight. This helps you not only look confident but also thinner.

3. Weight loss blunders brides often make

* Not starting soon enough. Many people delay their weight loss program, thinking they have plenty of time. Soon, you are down to a month before the wedding. This is just not enough time to lose weight in a healthy manner. Weight loss doesn't happen overnight, and if you try to make it, you can damage your health.

* Ignoring exercise. There's no way around it: you need to exercise in order to lose weight and keep it off. Even if you do lose weight with just diet, your muscles look slack. Exercise gives you a much more defined, toned, and sexy look.

* Not eating. Skipping meals is a great way to stall weight loss. It causes your body to go into starvation mode and horde fat. You can't trick your body out of it - so eat!

* Having unrealistic goals. If you have always been about a size 12, you're not going to magically become a size 4 for your wedding. This is fine - it's your body. You can still tone your body and look amazing on your day. Choose a dress that flatters your real body, not the one you wish you had.

Losing weight before your wedding takes time and preparation, just like the wedding itself.

Have a celebratory glass of champagne after your boyfriend pops the question. The next day, get started on a healthy, safe weight loss program that can help you look your best.