Planning a wedding can seem like a momentous mountain to climb before you’ve ascended the first pitch. The challenge to create a perfect day for not only you and your husband-to-be but also your collective friends, family, extended family, colleagues, neighbours, pets etc can prove a little overwhelming. With undue stress and anxiety, the pressure has the potential to overshadow the wonderful fact that you’re about to marry your beau and best friend.
We’ve all heard of her, the infamous Bridezilla. A creature of modern nightmares coaxed out of hiding by one too many crockery choices or a micromanaging mother-in-law. The fear that she may crash your wedding party at any point, is enough to guzzle Kalms by the handful.
It’s important to understand balance during this exciting but similarly exhausting time and so we’ve pulled together our top five tips for how to stay mentally strong and happy (and avoid becoming Bridezilla) in the lead up to your big day:
1. Move outside
Exercising outdoors is a wonderful way to add some clarity to a stressful situation. We’re all familiar with the expression ‘just walk it off’… well The NHS also recognises that physical activity can help to identify the source of stress and work through it, returning you to a state of good wellbeing.
So next time you’re feel like shouting and tearing your hair out, take yourself for a brisk stroll outdoors, enjoy the fresh air and get distracted by a new environment.
2. Relax and Recoup
So you’re travelling at 110mph to move between appointments with florists, coffee catch ups with bridesmaids and cake-tasting with mum. That’s not to mention the hundreds of emails to discuss on-site wedding day logistics. Obviously on top of a full-time job.
Woah there, just slow down and smell the roses. It’s imperative at this time that you really give yourself a break.
Taking a moment away from wedding planning to relax is an opportunity to allow your mind a chance to process. By stopping and unwinding, you can reset and recharge your batteries. A Swedish Massage is great way of taking some ‘you’ time, a match made in heaven for a bride-to-be. You can read more about the full benefits here. Trust us, treat yourself to a massage at home. Want to be in with a chance of winning a four-hands massage? Enter the competition below.
3. Lend an ear
It’s understandable that you have a clear vision of what you want from your wedding day, from the table plans to the first dance and everything else in between. Yes, you and your fiancé will have the final word, but that’s not to say that you can’t take on board a bit of advice.
You’ll have suggestions and opinions flying at you from every angle and you may want to batten down the hatches and hide. Just remember to listen with an open mind and accept each suggestion as a gift (fear not, the receipt’s in the bag). Every friend or family member deserves your ear if they want it.
Wedding related or otherwise, just remain a good person in the midst of being overwhelmed with information and try to stay humble. It may feel as though the world is currently revolving around you, but perhaps keep that to yourself.
4. Remember the Groom
Don’t neglect your groom-to-be. At times it could seem as though you’re doing all of the leg work when it comes to organising and rounding up the troops, but remember that it’s his day too. He most likely wants to help, certainly if only to see you happier and a little less stressed. Perhaps flower arrangements aren’t his forte, so what about the late night bbq hot dogs?!
Sharing the load should bring you closer together and make your wedding day all the more special as a couple. Outside of wedmin, try to schedule in some time for the two of you to just have fun. Be it a picnic in the park with frisbee and cupcakes or a weekend by the sea, these little moments are the reason you’re marrying each other in the first place. Enjoy them freely.
5. Reflect and keep perspective
In the grand scheme of things, you’re getting married to the person that you love. This is going to be a day in a lifetime of wonderful ones. Remember how lucky you are and stop to take stock of the fantastic situation that you’re in.
There will be highs and there will be lows, things may go wrong and things will certainly change along the way. Ultimately, if you can feel the stress bubbling or the bossy madam jostling her way out, try to take a step back and gain some perspective. The end goal isn’t perfection.
You don’t have to be superwoman to keep it together and you CAN still have it all. By cutting yourself some slack and keeping an open mind, you stand yourself in great stead for the big-day countdown.
Just remember to enjoy the journey and breathe along the way. Focus on the aisle in front of you, but don’t forget to look up and take in the view.