There’s no denying that in the weeks and days leading up to your wedding day, you might experience some heightened levels of stress. Rest assured, all brides and grooms-to-be have felt the same way! Although we can’t necessarily help you take the stressors away, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite tips and tricks to try and reduce some of the stress coming your way.
Pro tip: While we hope that these suggestions will provide you with a bit of support, if you are feeling extremely stressed, seek out the services of a professional to help you through this intense time.
Take Inventory of What is Giving You the Most Frustration
Are you heavily relying on a vendor that isn’t communicating well? Are you concerned with how your divorced parents will behave on the big day? Is one of your bridesmaids starting drama with the others? These are just some of the topics that might arise while planning your wedding, but there are endless more. Have some quiet time with yourself (and your fiancé/e, if you’d like) and really think about what those stressors are. If it’s possible, confront those individuals or topics, and try to remedy them sooner rather than later. The earlier you can extinguish stressors, the more relaxing your wedding planning will become.
Clear Your Head of Wedding Plans
If it suits you, consider meditating, participating in a yoga class or just taking a few minutes every day to do something that doesn’t have anything to do with your wedding. It can be tough to get your mind off of the big day, but if you can manage to clear your head for even a little while, you’ll be able to return your mind and body back to a calmer place.
Communicate With Your Fiancée/Fiancé
Depending on who is doing most of the wedding planning, your partner might not have any idea that you’re feeling overwhelmed! You’re about to embark on a lifetime together, and helping each other through this time via open communication is a great way to prepare for it. Make time to talk with each other about the wedding, but also leave time for non-wedding activities! Schedule date nights where you don’t speak of the big day at all and get back to some of the hobbies you did together before you were engaged.
Think About What You Have to Look Forward To
It’s very easy to get caught up in your wedding planning, and almost forget that you’re starting a lasting commitment with one another! Spend some time thinking about what that commitment means to you, and what sort of life you want to have with your new spouse. Picture moving in together, buying or renting your first home together, having children or even grandchildren, etc. The visualization of these great events to come is sure to put a smile on your face and to take a load off of your mind.
Allow Yourself to Feel Nervous
While it might not feel right to be nervous about your wedding, it is very normal and understandable to be! Instead of trying to push those thoughts out of your head, take some time to think them through and understand why you feel that way. Most of the time your cold feet don’t have anything to do with your future partner, but rather how you’re feeling about a particular situation or event. Confide in a trusted friend or family member (bonus points if they are married themselves) and talk out your feelings. That process will help you de-stress much more than letting your fears get the best of you.
Take Time for Self Care
It might feel selfish to spend time and perhaps money on yourself when you have a wedding to plan, but it can do wonders for you during this time. Schedule a massage, a manicure or simply draw yourself a calming bath to melt your stress away. Even though you’re about to become a lifelong partner to your fiancé/e, you must still remember to be your own person and do whatever it is that relaxes you personally.
Write Your Feelings Down
If you’re a verbal learner (meaning you prefer using words in both speech and writing to learn), consider journaling your stressors. For individuals who learn best this way, the simple act of writing down their frustrations can often alleviate stress.
Pro tip: Not a verbal learner? Don’t fret! Think about what learning style works best for you, and use that to try and articulate your stressors in a way that will benefit you the most.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
You aren’t the first person to bite off more than you can chew, and you certainly won’t be the last! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the tasks on your plate before the big day, ask friends and family for help. We understand that for some people this is a very tough task, but in the long run, you will come to realize that giving up a little control will greatly benefit your sanity and mental health.
When it comes to mentally preparing yourself for your wedding and handling stress of all kinds for that matter, preparation and self-awareness are key. As soon as you start to feel yourself suffering from the mental pressure of the big event, take note of what is causing it. The sooner you can identify stressors the sooner you can take steps to ease them, and get back to the journey of preparing for your marriage! Do you have any other tips for brides or grooms-to-be that might help? Share them in the comments!
This blog post is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. Readers should consult a physician or certified medical practitioner in matters relating to health (including but not limited to medical issues, nutrition, allergies and/or fitness), and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
Erika focuses on email marketing, copywriting and merchandising at Zazzle, but she has a secret obsession with all things wedding! During the week you can find her writing punny subject lines while also pinning the latest wedding trends, and outside of the 9-5, she is usually cheering on the San Jose Sharks, reading a good murder mystery, or hunting for the best Philly Cheesesteak in the Bay Area.
