Wedding planning is stressful, there are no two ways about it. Weâre not going to sit here and lie and say youâll breeze through it without any frustrations or hiccups, but weâre here to tell you there are several simple ways you can reduce your wedding stress so you can relax and enjoy the process that bit more. Easy, doable and they actually work! So, conquer your pre-marriage stress today with the help of our helpful guide.
10 Ways to Reduce Wedding Stress
- Exercise – Get out in the open air and get the blood pumping.
- Breaks – Don’t overload yourself, take frequent breaks to recharge.
- Delegate – The true art of leadership is delegation. Ask for a hand!
- Planner – Get the help of a wedding planning professional.
- Organise – Stay on top of things and keep a comprehensive checklist.
- Talk – A good old natter can help you beat the stress and relax.
- Perspective – Realise the day is about much more than seating and flowers.
- Me Time – Have some time to yourself to relax and take your mind off things.
- Mindfulness – Practice mindfulness through a spot of yoga or meditation.
- Let Off Steam – Release the valve and have a bit of fun.
Exercise
Straight off the bat, the number one stress buster, wedding related or not, is exercising. Any doctor will advise you to get active if you are suffering from stress, and wedding planning stress is no different. Exercise releases endorphins, it helps you get a better night’s sleep, it boosts self-confidence, it gets you out and about in the fresh air. We’re not saying it has to be a ten-mile uphill run, just a nice relaxing walk or a jog will do. It really does more for your stress than being stuck indoors, hunched over a laptop, scrolling through Pinterest looking at perfect celebrity beach weddings.
Breaks
When you’re so immersed in something it can be difficult to remember to give yourself a break, particularly if you are under a strict timeframe, but it’s important to pull yourself away from the wedding planning now and again and have a rest. Limit yourself to a certain daily or weekly time limit and don’t go over it. This is particularly important if you’re in full-time employment or have a jam-packed schedule outside of organising your wedding.
Delegate
Yes, we know the mere sound of the word is enough to send shivers up a bride’s spine. We understand you want everything to be perfect, you want to be in control of every minute detail, how could you possibly trust anyone else to do it properly? Well, the truth is, other people are probably keen to help and eager to alleviate some of the stressful weight off your shoulders, and they equally won’t be as incompetent as you worry they might be. If you explain exactly what you want, others can help.
Planner
If the thought of delegating to friends and family is simply too much, then consider hiring a professional wedding planner. They’ll use their expert judgement and skill to guide you through the process and help you create the wedding of your dreams. They’ll be on hand to help you as much or as little as you want and will act as a brilliant sounding board for you to bounce ideas, stresses and worries off. They’ll have seen hundreds of weddings and will have seen everything there is to go wrong, so they’ll be able to deal with any situation thrown at them.
Organise
Keep on top of everything. There’s nothing that can induce wedding stress quite like leaving things until the last minute, overlooking key details, forgetting to invite the in-laws… Make a list of everything and anything, get a folder, make a spreadsheet – however you organise – make sure you have a comprehensive list of everything that needs sorting and keep on top of it. For every minute spent organising you’ll save an hour or two of being a stressed bride later on down the line.
Talk
A problem shared is a problem halved. No this isn’t just a fusty old clichĂ© that people say but doesn’t actually do anything, it really does help alleviate stress, particularly wedding planning stress. Talking through your stresses and worries helps put things into perspective, people can offer you helpful advice or even just lend an ear for you to vent. It’s incredible how cathartic it is just to chat through your issues, especially if it’s with someone who has been there and done it.
Perspective
Speaking of perspective, it’s important to bear in mind that, yes, your wedding day is incredibly special, but it’s an occasion to mark the fact you are marrying the love of your life. Things may go wrong, it may not be perfect – but then again, nothing tends to ever be perfect – the important thing is that your friends and family come together to witness you and that special someone declare your love for each other. Everything else pales into insignificance in the end.
Me Time
Whilst it’s important to chat, it’s also important not to chat. Have some me time, just you. Take a long soak in the bath with some candles, go for a head-clearing stroll in the open air, or just kick back on the sofa and watch a bit of tele. Get your head out of the bridal magazines and wedding websites and lose yourself for an hour or two so you can recalibrate your inner stress levels and keep that Bridezilla at bay.
Mindfulness
The term mindfulness has risen to prominence in the hectic hustle and bustle of twenty-first-century life and is a technique which is being practised more and more by people looking to reduce their stress levels. Wedding planning stress can also be combated by the art of mindfulness. Channel some inner calmness with a spot of yoga or a bit of meditation. You can take specialised classes or there are loads of free helpful tips and tricks online to help you achieve some zen. Zen-sational!
Let Off Steam
It’s important to twist the valve to release the pressure once in a while, otherwise, there’s a danger you may just burst. It’s so important to let off some steam and relax. The hen weekend is the perfect opportunity to de-stress. Whether that’s by a relaxing pampering session, a few delicious cocktails or through a bit of yoga, there are plenty of fab activities which can help you calm yourself and channel a bit of chill. Check out the great range of hen activities we have on offer to help you alleviate your wedding stress.
You’re not Alone!
Here are the frequently Googled questions (and answers) from other anxious bridesâŠ
Why is Wedding Planning So Stressful?
Wedding planning is often stressful because of this idea that weddings have to be perfect. Couples have an idyllic picture of their wedding in their minds and feel they have to ensure itâs executed down to the most minute detail otherwise theyâll deem it a failure.
Newsflash: How often in life are things actually perfect?
Answer: Almost never!
Once you accept the odd thing might not be exactly how you wanted it, and that some things may not go according to plan, youâre not only going to conquer your wedding anxiety, but youâre going to enjoy it a lot more.
Also, perfection can be quite dull. Iâm sure if you look at your partner, youâll admit they arenât perfect in every aspect, but itâs these little quirks that make us fall in love in the first place. The same can be applied to your big day.
Is it Normal to be Stressed Before the Wedding?
Anxiety before the wedding is perfectly normal. Weâd even say itâs more common than those who are completely calm (a hell of a lot more common, too!). When youâve built up to something for a long time, itâs only natural to feel a sense of angst when it finally comes to it. Youâve just got to embrace it and put it into perspective. Youâre marrying the person you love â thatâs the bottom line. Everything else pales into insignificance.
How to Have a Stress-Free Wedding?
Accept that things wonât always go according to plan. Be flexible and open to change. Embrace the hurdles that pop up along the way! Nothing matters other than youâre marrying the person you love, with your friends and family their to celebrate with you.
Still Need to Chat to Someone?
The following charities are a fantastic help if you feel your stress and anxiety are weighing you down too muchâŠ
Relate â the UKâs biggest relationship support charity – https://www.relate.org.uk/
CALM â mental health charity – https://www.thecalmzone.net/
In It Together
Have you overcome wedding stress? Think weâve missed an absolute gem which could help other brides in a similar situation. Please get in touch with us and weâll add it to the list.
