Wedding planning should be exciting and fun, but it's also completely normal to experience some pre-wedding anxiety. You might be putting a lot of pressure on yourself to plan the perfect wedding. Perhaps you're stressed because you're making a lot of big decisions and spending a lot of money. Perhaps your family and friends are overwhelming you with their opinions or causing problems with bridesmaid dresses and the guest list. It could be as simple as being concerned about everyone watching you walk down the aisle or being concerned that no one will show up!
Whatever is causing your pre-wedding jitters, remember that they are completely normal and something that many brides and grooms experience. It doesn't necessarily imply that you're getting cold feet or that you shouldn't get married. However, you don't want to look back on your wedding planning journey and regret the negative feelings and wedding day anxiety, so let's get to work on getting rid of those pre-wedding nerves with these top wedding stress-reduction tips.
Share the burden
Many brides and grooms who struggle to delegate and prefer to be in control suffer from wedding anxiety during the wedding planning process. Of course, you've been planning your wedding for years, if not decades, so it can be difficult to let go and entrust any details to others. However, allowing family members, your future spouse, suppliers, and close friends to get involved and take the lead on certain projects for you will greatly reduce any wedding-related anxiety.
Do not compare your wedding
Social anxiety - the desire to ensure that your wedding looks amazing on Instagram or that it is as good as, if not better than, your friend's or sibling's wedding - can be a major reason why many brides feel stressed or nervous in the run-up to the big day. It's not easy to get over the fear that people will judge your wedding, but one way to reduce stress is to talk to your other half about your wedding plans and remember what makes you unique as a couple.
Be prepared
Wedding planning is one of those things that simply cannot be put off until the last minute. So, it's time for a self-awareness moment: if you know you're a top procrastinator, give your to-do list to your other half or a family member who can keep you on track. Allow yourself plenty of time to plan and check off all the big ticket items and key details months in advance if possible. Of course, there will always be last-minute details to sort out, such as the table plan and some of the decor, so make sure you have a good team on hand to assist you with these as well.
Have a backup plan
So you've found a gorgeous country garden ceremony location and it's your dream to marry there. Even in the warmest countries, it rains occasionally, and it can rain a lot in the UK. While you should still plan your dream outdoor wedding, you should not have your heart set on only saying "I do" in this setting. To avoid major wedding anxiety and having to check the weather forecast every few seconds in the run-up to your wedding, it's a good idea to have a Plan B - a wet weather plan.
Eat healthy
Take care of your body, and your mind will follow. There's no denying that wedding planning can be stressful. With a lot of admin, spreadsheets, and emails to keep track of while working a full-time job, it can feel overwhelming. With so much to do and not enough hours in the day, simple things like eating properly can easily fall by the wayside. Spending time taking care of yourself in the run-up to your wedding is critical because you want to look and feel your best when you walk down the aisle. Make time each night to prepare a healthy meal and get your five a day.
Do some exercise
It's no secret that exercise benefits the body in a variety of ways, especially when emotions are high. When wedding nerves or anxiety strikes, get away from the situation by going for a run, swim, or cycle, or signing up for a gym class. Yoga and pilates are also excellent ways to relax. By focusing on something else, you are removing yourself from the stress, and exercise helps the body release endorphins, or feel-good hormones, which will put you back in a good mood for your wedding.
Get a good night's sleep
Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, another important aspect of self-care to consider if you have wedding day anxiety is your sleep. When you're exhausted, you can't handle emotions as well, so any worries you have will rise to the surface and have a negative impact on your mental health. The night before the big day is the most important night to sleep. Don't be tempted to party until the wee hours of the morning; not only will you look and feel bad, but any wedding anxiety will be much worse if you're tired.
Spend quality time together
With so much to plan, you may find yourself spending less time together as a couple in the run-up to the wedding. A wedding day, on the other hand, is all about celebrating your love, so make sure you're together and enjoying every moment of excitement before you say your vows. Having your spouse by your side in the final weeks and days will help to calm your nerves because he or she will serve as a constant reminder of why you're planning the wedding in the first place - because you love them!
Take a break from wedding planning
Along with spending time together on wedding planning, it's a good idea to take a break from all of the decisions, tastings, dress fittings, and guest lists and do some of your favourite activities together. Not only will this help reduce wedding day anxiety, but it will also make it easier to return to normal life after the wedding. Many couples become engrossed in the planning experience post-wedding depression or blues because they have forgotten what to do with themselves without a wedding to plan!
Focus on your partner
Don't get too worked up about minor details. Nobody will notice if a charger plate is missing from the top table or if you didn't make enough confetti cones for each guest. Remember this at the end of the day: all the minor details don't matter. All that matters is that you and your bride or groom are present and that you love each other. When you walk down the aisle or have moments of anxiety throughout the day, simply look at or hold hands with your new spouse, and any stress should vanish as you remember that you have the rest of your married life to look forward to together.
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