Wedding Stress

You’re a bride-to-be, certainly a revered title. Some might even say that you’re the envy of all hopeful marrieds....

 

But you’re bombarded….

Advertisements, to-do lists, future in-laws, the tiniest of mundane details – they all demand to be tended to – and the resulting stress can overpower what's supposed to be a joyous time period in your life. So how do you reduce stress? Emerge from the pile of fabric swatches, font styles and contracts and just breathe. During your engagement, step away from wedding planning, and take time to enjoy yourself as a fabulous single woman.

Kicking your heals up and relaxing as your task list expands exponentially may sound impossible. In reality, allowing yourself some time to rejuvenate will not only reduce wedding stress, it will ultimately make your wedding planning more efficient. Have you ever tried going for a morning run without a good night’s sleep the night before? The same applies to wedding planning.

Here are some easy methods to reduce wedding stress:

 

Reclaim your life and your self  

What activities comprised your free time before wedding planning seized your soul? Reading? Jogging? Shopping? Crafts? Don’t let those activities slip; take that time to yourself and enjoy the relaxation that comes with doing something that you enjoy. Even if just for a few hours a week – it will make a world of difference

 

Reconnect with friends and loved ones

Has it been weeks or months since you spoke with your best friend or sister (NOT about the wedding)? Losing contact is easy when you’re busy or believe loved ones are out of touch with your life. Take some time to reconnect with your closest friends; ask them about their lives. Keep them up-to-date on your wedding planning – but also discuss other aspects of your life. You are a multi-faceted person, after all.

 

Cater to someone else for a change 

Yes, this is one of the few times in your life when the attention is solely focused on you and your life decisions, and you should enjoy your time in the spotlight. That said; don’t get caught up in the selfishness of being a bride. Do something unexpected for someone else. Take a break from wedding planning and cook a friend dinner, serve a meal at your local soup kitchen, babysit for a couple who could use a break…You will be surprised how good (and relaxed) you will feel by making others feel appreciated, and you will immediately reduce stress.

 

Spend quality time with your fiancé

It’s sadly ironic that in the planning of a new life together, couples often struggle to find quality time with one another in the present. The best way to begin a marriage on the right foot is to avoid neglecting your relationship now. Building a life as one should always be your top priority, (remember – it IS the reason behind the big party!) so enjoy romantic evenings together and try not to talk about the wedding. Focus on your relationship and your future beyond the wedding day.

Above all else, don’t lose sight of what’s important and don’t lose sight of yourself. Keeping this in mind will reduce wedding stress - we promise! Savor every moment of your engagement, and arrive at your wedding positively radiant.

 

The Making of Bridezilla

Every girl dreams of having the perfect wedding. From childhood we are bombarded these images of perfection in glamorous celebrity weddings whose unlimited budgets are reflected in the designer gowns, lavish jewelry, multitude of guests, and sumptuous buffet. For example, take Lady Diana Spencer's wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981. During the so-called wedding of the century, she wore a designer dress with a long train that cascaded down the aisle of Westminster Abbey with matching velvet shoes adorned with diamond buckles. It seemed to us like a fairy tale come true---a princess has finally found her prince.

And so from these images we begin building our own vision of the perfect wedding. Whether large or small, we visualize every detail of this fantastic event, from the exact shade of white for the gowns to the particular recipe we want to use for the dessert course. For some women, the need to make everything about the day perfect has turned many a lovely bride into a creature known as Bridezilla. Bridezillas make an already stressful time in their lives even more stressful. And when the bride is stressed, everyone around her becomes stressed as well. These creatures subsist on nothing but their wedding plans and expect those around them to do the same. The lives of Bridezillas friends and family depend on whether or not she gets what she wants, no matter how expensive or impractical it is. God help anyone who makes a mistake or tells her that she can't have what she wants, because she will eat you alive.

So what fuels the rage of Bridezilla?  Stress

1.   Planning a wedding, especially large ones, can be difficult. Many brides also have to contend with meddling family members, budget constraints and time pressure along with the usual demands of daily life such as a job and/or children. Some women can handle the pressure, but others cannot and it manifests in psychological or physical ways. Bridezillas can be susceptible to mood swings, hysteria and irrational behavior which begin to affect the other parts of her life. But it is possible to avoid becoming a Bridezilla and having a stress-free wedding by following these tips:

2. Stop obsessing over the little details. In their quest to plan the perfect wedding, many brides forget that it’s the ceremony itself that's important, not the trimmings. There's no need to get into debt to create the perfect wedding. Spend your money where it counts. Money is one of the most powerful stress triggers, but careful spending will go a long way in easing your worries. Remember that some things in life are free.
3. Compromise. There is great wisdom in the saying, “Two heads are better than one.” Remember that you can't do it alone and that you don't have the monopoly on good ideas. Be open for suggestions. Ask your groom if he has any special requests that can be incorporated to the ceremony.
4. Delegate. Some family members may feel that they have the right to meddle with your wedding plans, which often leads to many arguments and tears. This creates an atmosphere of tension that can be extremely tedious and stressful. Try setting a specific task to each person and let them know that you appreciate their help. Deal with these people firmly and with diplomacy and make sure that they understand that you and your groom have the final say in all matters pertaining to the wedding.  If all else fails, consider hiring a wedding planner.
5. Get organized. It pays to do a little research before purchasing a service or item for the wedding. Try attending wedding-themed trade fairs or similar gatherings for more inspiration. Keep a notebook and calendar for matters pertaining to the wedding, detailing what has been done and what else needs to be done.
6. Take time off from the wedding frenzy. Go away for the weekend with your groom, or treat yourself to a spa date with your friends. Do what helps you to relax and during that time, avoid discussing or even thinking of your wedding plans. Stepping back helps you regain a new perspective on the matter and lessens your level of stress.
7. Let it go. There are just some things we can't control, like the weather. Focus on what you can control, and maintain a sense of humor. Laughing greatly increases your body's release of endorphins, engendering a sense of wellbeing and decreasing stress levels.

 

Pre-Wedding De-Stressing

Homemade wedding favors are a uniquely personal way to say thank you to your guests for sharing in your special day. This mechanized age has made us long for more personal products, leading to a great choice of wedding favor crafts for the couple who want to use homemade wedding favors to add a more intimate touch to their day. And in the hectic build up to the most important day of your life, homemade wedding favors can afford the ideal opportunity to relax, create, and have some fun.

Homemade wedding favors might get crossed all to easily from the busy couple’s wedding plans. With full time jobs and hectic social lives, who wants to add more work to their lot by producing homemade wedding favors?

This might be a valid point for those brides and grooms who aren’t naturally creative, but homemade wedding favors can provide a unique opportunity to slow down and enjoy working on creating your special day. Homemade wedding favors allow you to get hands on, and regardless of your ability, the fantastic range of wedding favor crafts available today will offer you the tools to create memorable homemade wedding favors.

But how on earth do you find the time to make your homemade wedding favors? The answer is you make time. Planning a wedding is undoubtedly a stressful time, and without taking some time out, you won’t make it to the day in one piece. Using wedding favor crafts to make your own favors allows you reconnect with your planning in a more creative and less stressful way, reminding you of all your wedding day should be about.

Homemade wedding favors are an enormously special way to thank your guests for helping your celebrate this momentous occasion. But there is another side to homemade wedding favors too – so get out the craft box and get working. You’ll be ready to get back to that wedding list in no time.

Homemade wedding favors are a great way to say to your guests we thought of you!

 

 

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