“I do”… two little words that you have dreamed of saying since you were a little girl, but can be a mammoth task to get to.
Planning a wedding takes energy, enthusiasm, devotion and hard work. Skills that you may have thought you didn’t possess can suddenly come to light –budgeting, negotiation, organization, administration, juggling schedules, diplomacy and delegation.
Planning a wedding is an exciting and wonderful time: the romance of getting engaged, and sharing the great news with friends and family is a thrill for all. Then all of a sudden the wedding planning grabs hold of you, the wedding file appears and you are in the midst of the whirlwind. It is a hugely exciting time but it comes with stresses.
Here are a few pointers from yours truly: some things to look out for and keep in mind:
- Don’t sweat the small stuff! Are you spending too much time worrying about little things?
- Your wedding is not a competition – don’t get caught up in trying to compete with your friend’s weddings.
- DIY – if you are a DIY bride to be allow lots of time for the tasks. Running out of time to complete things is one major stress!
- Guest lists – a major stressor. Consider the number of guests your venue can accommodate. Consider your budget. Are there guests your families would like to invite that you may not have considered?
- Seating plans –Do not waste hours of your life designing, debating, and editing the perfect seating plan. Your wedding is a celebration and your guests are going to enjoy themselves regardless of where they sit!
- Talk to your wedding planner: they have done this before and will be able to advise you on many small details that you have most likely not even considered.
It’s common knowledge that us ladies are great at multi-tasking. We can work in our jobs, handle hectic schedules, juggle family life, balance the books and to top it all off we can take on a massive project such as planning a wedding.
So how do we cope?
- Talk to your groom. Keep him informed! Include him! Share your worries and stresses.
- Delegate to the bridal party. Are there parts of the planning that they can look after for you? Tell them what you need done, and when it needs to be done by, and then leave it with them.
- Look after yourself – Are you eating properly? Are you sleeping properly?
- Exercise on a regular basis. Exercise is a great stress reliever. You don’t have to go to the gym for 2 hours per day. Try to get out for a walk a few times a week.
- Treat yourself – go to the cinema with a friend. Go for a pedicure or a stroll on the beach.
Remember, there is a life after your wedding for you and your new hubbie: it’s called a marriage.
Karen Buchanan is a regular blogger for Wedding Dates. She runs a wedding planning business called Weddings With Karen Buchanan. Connect with her on her Facebook page at Weddings With Karen Buchanan or chirp her over on Twitter. Her Twitter handle is @karenbuchanan3. ‘I do’ spoons on Etsy by Milk and Honey Luxuries.
