Your wedding day is meant to be one of the most joyous occasions of your life, but the journey leading up to it can... at times... feel like a rollercoaster of emotions and stress. From guest lists to seating arrangements, budget concerns, and family expectations, planning a wedding can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. But fear not my friend; this post is here to help you navigate the storm and find your calm amid the chaos.
10 Tips To Help Reduce Stress During The Wedding Planning Process
Step 1: Feel The Fear & Do It Anyway
Before we dive straight into strategies for managing wedding stress, I want you to get comfortable with recognizing and acknowledging your feelings. If it starts to feel a bit much, that's ok! It's normal to feel a little overwhelmed during the wedding planning process - you are (sometimes literally) spinning 100 plates. A bit of wedding stress is A) absolutely fine and B) completely normal. Accept that you are stressed, take a step back and then look at finding some solutions.
Step 2: Set Realistic Expectations
Second to my personal dislike - unwanted opinions - one of the biggest sources of wedding stress is probably unrealistic expectations. To take the pressure off before it even begins, try taking care of the following:
Budget Wisely: Be honest with yourself about what you can (and can't) afford and make a realistic budget. Have a look at what matters the most to you both & spend your money 'there'.
Manage the Guest List: Keep your guest list in check. You don't have to invite everyone and their auntie - sometimes we like our circles small.
Realistic Timelines: Give yourself ample time for planning and avoid the last-minute rush! If you're not sure how much time to allocate to something - ask me.
Step 3: Self-Care is Non-Negotiable
Amidst the whirlwind of wedding planning, don't forget to take care of yourself. Here are some self-care tips:
Exercise: Groan! Only joking - Movement is a great stress reliever. Whether it's yoga, a gym session, or a simple walk, find what works for you. For me it's dancing - probably in the kitchen.
Meditation and Breathing Exercises: Practicing mindfulness and deep breathing can help calm your nerves. Even if it's not part of your day to day - try it. The breathwork techniques work wonders for helping nerves on the big day.
Take Breaks: It's okay to step away from the planning process for a day, a weekend, a week - whatever. Recharge and come back again when you have a clear head.
Step 4: Effective Communication
Clear, open communication with your partner is essential.
Share Your Feelings: Be honest about how you're feeling, and encourage your partner to do the same. If they love you enough to want to spend the rest of their life with you - a disagreement about chair covers is unlikely to change that.... I hope!
Make Decisions Together: This is a joint endeavour. Both of you should have a say in the planning process and find a way to make this day work for the two of you.
Step 5: Palm It Off! AKA Delegate and Seek Help
You don't have to do everything yourself okay. Put people to work, delegate tasks and consider calling in back up:
Hire a Wedding Planner: Not a shameless plug AT ALL... But seriously, a professional wedding planner can handle so many of the little details that seem to cause the most stress. Spend your time doing what you actually want to do. Everyone has things that they are good at - planning doesn't have to be one of yours.
Enlist Friends and Family: Loved ones are usually eager to help when it comes to all things wedding related. I mean, who doesn't love a wedding right? If they're offering to help (and can be trusted) Say YES!
Step 6: Time Management
What's that old adage? "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail..." Staying organized can really help reduce stress. Create timelines or checklists to keep you on track and prevent any last-minute crises.
Step 7: Accepting Imperfections
No wedding & I mean no wedding - is entirely flawless. Understand that small hiccups are part of the process and can even add character to your day. The two of you are most likely imperfectly perfect for one another and your wedding is no different. Be it during the planning stage or on the day itself, accepting the situation, and moving forward with the best solution is the way to go - trust me.
Step 8: Focus on the Bigger Picture
Don't lose sight of why you're getting married. The two of you getting married and starting your lives together is the most important thing here. Unwelcome opinions, family drama & whether the table cloths are the EXACT same shade as whatever they were supposed to be might matter a lot to you, but they shouldn't overshadow how wonderful the day is and what it really means. It is just that when all is said and done - one day - a flipping amazing day Yes!- but one day all the same.
Just enjoy it - I'm assuming you only plan on doing it once.
Step 9: Seeking Professional Help
If the stress really does become unmanageable, don't hesitate to seek professional counselling or therapy. Your mental and emotional well-being are non negotiable and you need to own that no matter what.
Step 10: Laugh It Off or Hug It Out
This doesn't really need an explanation - they're just two of my favourite things to do. Ha!
Conclusion:
So - although a little bit of wedding stress might crop up during the planning process, it really doesn't have to overshadow the joy of the whole thing. Give yourself grace. There are so many things that you can do to help navigate the wedding planning process with more ease.
Remember, it's your love story that matters the most, and a little stress won't ruin the beautiful journey that lies ahead. Congratulations again on your upcoming wedding, I hope it is stress free, and full of laughs instead.
Closing Thoughts:
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you found these tips helpful in managing wedding stress should it occur. If you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment below. I wish you a wonderful and stress-free wedding journey! Cool Runnings! [Derice Bannock - Cool Runnings]
(That's a little in joke for you there!)
Speak soon - Dani x
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