National Stress Awareness Day

Today is National Stress Awareness Day, so for all the couples feeling the stress of wedding planning, here are a few tips for dealing with wedding stress!

Unexpected Problems

If you get a problem with an important aspect of your day and it is stressing you, take a few minutes out, breathe, go for a walk, clear your mind. Then hit the problem head on.

• If there is a supplier issue, is there anything that the supplier can do to fix the issue? Can they recommend a replacement item or service provider?

• Be sure to allow enough time for any sizing errors to be rectified when it comes to dresses and suits. Collect hire suits 48 hours before the wedding to allow the company to swap shirts or trousers that are a little snug, or loose! And have a dress fitting no earlier than 2 weeks before the wedding to check that everything is fitting well.

• If you're not sure how to sort a problem, or you are struggling to find time to fix it, ask someone else to help you sort it. That's what your bridesmaids and groomsmen are there for!

• Also be sure to have wedding insurance in place! It offers great peace of mind.

Finances

Weddings can be expensive.  If money is causing you stress, take a good look at your budget.  Ask yourselves the following question -

• Have you sorted your budget, and are you sticking to it? If you want tips of budgeting see more here.

• Can you realistically afford what you have planned?

• Is there a way to get what you need, or plan what you want, with a slightly cheaper alternative?

• Do you really NEED everything on your list to make your day special?

• Can you make saving in some less important areas to be able to afford the things you REALLY want?

• Can you bring in some extra cash by doing a car boot sale, or selling items on Ebay?

The Details

If small details are causing issues...

• Try to put things into perspective. It's just one day, as long as you end up married by the end of it, the day will have been successful! Anything else is a bonus.

• Try not to sweat the small stuff. If your main things are planned and booked, then the finishing touches, although nice, are not essential.

• Delegate! If you've left something until the last minute, ask your friends to come round for a night of favor making, table decoration assembly or whatever else needs doing. If you need someone to collect the suits for you, just ask them.

Friends & Relatives

Friends and relatives can be one of the big stresses when planning a wedding. Relationship dynamics can be interesting to say the least!

• Tell people that you want them to be involved in your special day, but remind them it's just that...YOUR day. Do what is right for you and your future spouse.

• Who to invite can also cause issues. If you have a set number that you can invite, but sure to include the people who are actually important to you. Don't knock people off the list because they are part of a different friendship group and you feel you would need to invite the whole group if they are invited. And if you don't realistically have space to fit in +1's, explain to your friends why you can only invite them and not their partners.

• Same goes for including children. We had the issue with our wedding, that for the ceremony we would have had to include 26 children within our families, as well as those of friends. We took to decision to request that children not be present at the wedding ceremony and meal, but they were more than welcome at the evening celebration. Some of our friends and family felt this was harsh and chose not to attend, while others respected our decision and made childcare arrangements, which we very much appreciated.

Weight Loss

Some brides (myself included) found the pressure of losing weight for a wedding quite tough.  Being a bride can be a great motivator to get fitter and eat healthier.  But you do not have to be a size 8 to be a beautiful bride! Your fiance didn't propose to the 'ideal bride' you see in your head, he proposed to you as you are now. Embrace who you are, as you are.  But if you still feel you would like to lose a few pounds before the big day, check out our post with 3 healthy weight loss tips.I hope you found these tips for dealing with wedding stress helpful, but if all else fails, draw yourself a lovely hot bubble bath, make a tasty hot chocolate, read your favourite book or curl up on the sofa and watch your favourite movie.  The stress can wait until tomorrow!

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