How to manage your stress while planning your wedding
Most people plan their wedding 6 months in advance. They do this to give themselves plenty of time to get ready for this incredible event. However, during this time stress can build up rather quickly. For example:
Sometimes one can become overwhelmed trying to please Mom or Mother in law. Perhaps Mom would like you to hire Mariachis and Mother in law hates Mariachis. Who do you please? What do you do? Can you feel the stress?
Perhaps your uncle has taken up photography and volunteers to take your pictures for your wedding. This is very nice, but you want a professional photographer. How do you tell your uncle you are going to hire someone to take your pictures? Not easy.f
While making your guest list you are told you cannot invite your favorite aunt, because she does not get along with another aunt, thus leaving your feeling sad, guilty and stressed.
Even though one cannot go through the wedding plans without feeling any stress, one can try to minimize the stress level. The following are some ideas that may help you manage your stress as you plan for your big day.
Remember that this is YOUR wedding.
Try to be flexible with yourself. If you can’t get the church or the reception hall for a specific date, don’t sweat it. No one is saying that you are not going to get married. You just need to choose another day. Sometimes we get caught up on the date. One may feel the wedding MUST be on Oct. 7th because Mom and Dad got married on that day, or maybe because that is the day you met. Whatever the reason, if you can get that specific date, beautiful! But if not, think about what what is important, the date, or that you are still going to get married.
Have a journal, write down your thoughts when you are feeling overwhelmed. This is much better than keeping everything bottled up inside of you.
Go do something you enjoy and don’t think about the wedding. Focus on the activity you are engaging in. If you decide to go walking, look at the trees, the dogs, the birds and enjoy your walk. If you think about the wedding while you are walking you are not taking a break. What you are doing is stressing yourself out on your walk.
Focus on what is most important. If something does not go right on the wedding day, such as: The cake not being exactly what you wanted, the musicians being late, the weather not cooperating with you etc. Try not to focus on the things that are not working. Pay attention to what is: I’m getting married and all of my friends and family are here to celebrate with me. Enjoy your celebration. After all, the party only lasts several hours. Who wants to spend that time feeling upset because something did not work exactly as you planned? Have fun! If it rains, then dance in the rain!
You are getting married!
Article by Dolores C. Castellano MA, LPC
Posted in: Wedding Planning