Wedding Planning: 10 tips to plan without the stress

These 10 handy hints for marriage planning without stress will keep you cool calm and collected.

1. Forecasting

Click here to Right from the outset, be honest with yourself and work out how much time you can actually put into wedding planning. Then, determine who you can call upon for help if and when the wheels fall off (but this article is all about hoping they won't!)
Knowing yourself, and your likely trigger points for stress, for example,

• Will it be if the decorations go over budget?
• If the bridesmaids' dresses are left until the last minute?
• If you can't agree on a band, working out the seating plan with family?

Identifying these means you can plan how to manage the issues when they arise well ahead of time.
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2. They’ve got your back

The wedding is about the marriage, the marriage is not about the wedding. It's easy in a flurry of lace, lilies and line dancing to forget to nurture the reason you're doing all of this in the first place - your husband/wife-to-be. Be sure to schedule in date nights, even a walk in the park where you promise not to discuss wedding plans so they don't become all-consuming. If things aren't going according to plan, share, and let him/her know. This is only the first kink in a hopefully long and winding road together.

3. Keep your Friends Close

The wedding is about the marriage, the marriage is not about the wedding. It's easy in a flurry of lace, lilies and line dancing to forget to nurture the reason you're doing all of this in the first place - your husband/wife-to-be. Be sure to schedule in date nights, even a walk in the park where you promise not to discuss wedding plans so they don't become all-consuming. If things aren't going according to plan, share, and let him/her know. This is only the first kink in a hopefully long and winding road together.

3. Keep your Friends Close
Connect, and spend quality non-bridesmaid-dress-shopping-time with your besties, whether you're doing yoga, going for a walk, shopping for outfits for them for a change, or just winding down with coffee or wine. 

4. Nerves are Normal 

Butterflies causing chaos in your belly? It's ok. Nerves often accompany excitement, and we shouldn't shy away from them. Taking a moment to question such a big commitment isn't a danger sign, it's pretty sensible.

5. Delegate

Repeat after me: I am not superwoman. Because you're not, so stop trying to manage it all on your own. Weddings are (most often) massive undertakings.
Invite friends and family to help. Whether it's the invites, decorating pews, organising transport or making phone calls, people love to feel needed - and useful!
 
6. Treat Yourself

​There's no need to wait until your wedding eve for a pampering session. A 30-minute massage, facial or even mani/pedi can work wonders for frazzled fiancees and if you really don't have time, take a book, a candle and some bubble bath and hit the bath at home.

7. Exercise is your Best Friend

Virtually nothing releases tension like a good session, whether you're running, hiking, boxing, swimming, cycling or standing on your head. Physical activity helps release uplifting endorphins, so make it a priority, and watch your mood improve with your waistline.

8. Meditate

Even if you're new to the cause, meditation helps. It's the key to managing overwhelming emotions and to clearing your mind, even in a few minutes a day, or before bedtime. There are plenty of meditation and mindfulness apps you can try with a pair of headphones, so sift through to find one that works for you.

9. Ease off Social Media
Studies have found that if you're feeling anxious, social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram can make it worse. This can be particularly tough when wedding planning. Social media is a great tool for gathering inspo, but gather and go, don't surf until you feel low.

10. Talk!

​It's an oldie, but still a goodie. Whether it's a parent, a friend, or just someone you really trust, it pays to have a designated person to vent to when you need to blow off steam.

I really hope these help and I would love to hear from you if they do, or even if you want to add your own tip, please comment below!