As soon as you read the title, you straightened up a bit, huh? Was your mother or teacher’s voice running in a recording through your brain, “Stand up straight!” “Don’t slouch!” “If you don’t stand up straight…(insert dire warning here).”

Turns out, mom was right for more reasons than one. Not only does good posture affect your health, but if you think about it, people with good posture seem to exude confidence and vitality. And, if you plan to wear a strapless wedding dress, good posture is an absolute must!

How do you know if you have good posture?

One way is to stand up against a flat wall with the back of your head and entire shoulder blade touching the wall and tuck your pelvic bone forward so the small of your back touches the wall and your heels touch the baseboard. Stand there and feel that for 2 minutes, then walk away from the wall maintaining that posture. This exercise will also strengthen your core and becomes easier as you become stronger (we recommend some good stretching as well).

It’s not easy to hold that perfect posture, but practice every day so you know instinctively what it feels like and you can turn it on for the camera on your wedding day!