Introducing our Fabulous Bridal Blogger!

We all know every bride is prone to a few pre-wedding jitters. Will my dress fit? What if I get a breakout of spots the day before the ceremony? Will I get through my vows without blubbing?
However, when we received this heartbreaking letter from bride-to-be Nichole Yaffe, a 28-year-old podiatrist from Belfast, we realised she needed some Fabulous help…

Dear Fabulous,

I’m getting married next month but instead of being excited about my big day I’m dreading it.

I’m marrying my gorgeous fiancé Neil, who I met at university nine years ago. We’re so happy, I just wish I could look forward to our wedding instead of worrying so much about it.

Over the past five years, I’ve lost my mum and dad, Julie, 50, and Sydney, 73, to illness. After mum’s death in 2004, I suffered a breakdown. After taking anti-depressants, I piled on the pounds and was an emotional mess. With Neil’s help (my rock through everything), I healed to a point, but my old bubbly self vanished. My dad died in November 2008, which was another huge blow.

A busy lifestyle and comfort eating have seen my weight go from an 8st 10lb size 10 to a 10st 12lb size 14. I feel frumpy and out of shape. I also feel stuck in an emotional rut. When I first met Neil I was a happy, confident and proud girl, and I want to get my spark back again. Every bride wants to look her best and I have a gorgeous dress. I’d love to have it taken in a few sizes, get down to 9 ½st and feel beautiful when I put it on.

Thinking of walking up the aisle without my dad on my arm, and my mum there to see me in my dress, makes me sad. My brother Anthony is giving me away and my sister Charmaine is my bridesmaid, but it will be a hard day for us without our parents. After the pain of the last few years, I want my wedding day to be filled with smiles, and I want to feel good about myself again. Every girl wants to look awesome on her big day, but I don’t know how to.

Neil says he wants to meet the girl he first met nine years ago at the altar to start a long and wonderful life together, and I desperately want to be that happy, gorgeous girl again.

Please make me Fabulous!

Love
Nichole Yaffe xxx

To help Nichole look and feel a million pounds on her wedding day we drafted in nutritionist Jane McClenaghan, who’s put Nichole on a healthy eating plan brimming with pulses, fish and fresh fruit. Life coach Jenny Grainger of Fresh Start Life Coaching is having regular sessions with Nichole to help her rediscover her positive, confident nature. Finally, personal trainer Alex Redmond at Fitness First, Connswater has been putting Nichole through her paces three times a week with one-hour cardio-based sessions, including running, boxing and weights.

Visit www.fabulousmag.co.uk next week for the first instalment of Nichole’s pre-wedding blog to discover how she’s getting on!

Comments

[ren]

sure you will be fine i lost my dad and put weight on .you are still you. love who you were you sounded like me....good luck.x

[teresa lakin]

I have lost both of my parents to. It is hard when you are so young! Your mum and dad will be with you on your wedding day. You will get to your target! Good luck! xx

[michelle lindsay]

Nicole, all the best, we were at primary school together, I'm very upset to hear of the loss of your parents, I wish you the best, I am getting married next may so will be looking for some tips lots of love xxx