Stress Free Wedding Planning

Planning a wedding can be a fun and exciting time, but can also be a source of stress.  Managing stress is crucial to keep the happy in your happily ever after.  So what are the main causes of wedding planning stress and how can you reduce them?

Expectations vs. Reality.  Brides and grooms are bombarded with the idea of the “perfect” wedding day and often compare theirs to the budget-free nuptials of celebrity weddings.  In reality, there is never a “perfect” wedding day.  You can reduce the stress of wedding planning by listing what is most important to you for your wedding and focus your attention there.  If it’s not on your list, you can breathe a little easier at letting the small stuff go.

Becoming uber-focused.  Your engagement should be a happy time as you plan your futures together.  If you spend too much time worrying about budgets, flower arrangements and wedding details, you might forget to spend time focused on your relationship.  Remember to take the time to be present in each other’s lives.

Finances.  Unless you are fortunate enough to have celebrity income, wedding budgets can often be a sore spot.  Disagreements about wedding expenditures, family contributions and the budget in general can impact your relationships with each other and your families.  This is where your expectations versus the reality can get you into trouble.  Open conversation with anyone contributing to the wedding costs, and what that contribution entitles them to is very important.  Look for budget friendly options for your wedding day based upon the things that are most important to you as a couple.

Family members.  In many cases, your parents have had ideas on what your wedding day would be like since you were a young child.  The pressure to live up to those ideas can be strong.  This is when you need to rely on your partner to help you negotiate this potential minefield.  You are planning for your life together.  Make sure you present yourselves as a united front.  Don’t undermine each other by agreeing to things that you know the other many not want.

Bridal party.  Simple things like dress and tux fittings to larger events like the bachelor party can be moments of contention between you and your bridal party.  It is important to remember that your bridal party is making a significant contribution to your wedding party.  Make sure you communicate your wishes and the importance of their roles within your wedding.

Social (media) pressure. Pinterest and Facebook can help you get inspired and keep in touch with family, friends and even wedding vendors. But it can also bring on a whole new level of stress as you compare your wedding day to someone else’s (or a controlled photo shoot). It’s important to remember that you are planning the perfect wedding for you, not Pinterest.

Not having a contingency plan. Things will go awry as you plan your wedding. You’ll forget to include items in your wedding budget plan (click here for hidden wedding expenses), you’ll change your mind and need to purchase a different something, the weather will be too hot/cold/wet…the list goes on and on. But so can your contingency plan.  You can take comfort in knowing you’ve kept some budget on reserve, planned for inclement weather and are working with pros who also have backup plans.

Some simple ways to reduce the stress of wedding planning:

• Stay healthy.  Make sure you start or continue to practice healthy habits like a balanced diet, exercise routine and plenty of rest.
• Find a non-wedding activity you enjoy like yoga, gardening or reading to keep stress at bay.
• Admit when you are overwhelmed and ask for the help you need.  Delegate tasks that you don’t feel the need to micromanage.
• Remember that you have a partner in the wedding planning.  Your fiance should be involved in the process.
• Keep a realistic vision of your wedding day.  It may not be “perfect”, but you are marrying the perfect person for you.
• Hire professionals to work with you.  They are experts at what they do and can help you through the planning process.
• Make a planning schedule to stay on track.
• Make detailed planning lists that allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish a task.

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Budget Friendly Date Nights

When you are planning and budgeting for a wedding, it seems like there just isn’t enough time or money for date night, but that is exactly why you need one.  Instead of letting wedding planning take over your life, make some time to have some fun!  Here are some ideas for date night that still respect your budgeting needs.

Game Night.

Invite a few couples over for a low cost game night.  Working together as a team is a great bonding experience.  Guys against gals is great for a little competition to make things interesting, just be sure not to be too competitive.

A Different Kind of Game Night.Is your fiance a sports fan?  Take a break from the details of wedding planning and spend time on an activity he enjoys.  Whether it’s taking in a game from the cheap seats, or hitting the links yourselves, getting involved in one of his passions, at least for a day, shows you appreciate who he is.

Go To A Show.

Whether it’s a concert, performance or a day at the movies, matinees are great for a day out, but still budget friendly.

Explore The City.Most large cities are great for festivals, free concerts or great scenic walks.  Spend an afternoon exploring the city.  You can even use the day to scope out locations for your wedding day Romantic images.

Visit Your Favorite Restaurant.

While dinner out might seem like a big splurge, using coupon sites likerestaurant.com, can save you a few bucks.  And who doesn’t love a day without cooking?!

A Day At The Beach.

Surf, sun and sand make for a perfect day without a large expense.  Most MetroParks offer an annual pass, making it affordable year round.

Visit The Zoo.

When wedding planning is turning you into a bear, drop what you’re doing and go visit the real thing!  A day at the zoo is great for a leisurely stroll, watching the animals play and some downtime with each other.

A Day At The Orchard

Whether picking summer strawberries or fall apples, orchards are a great place to spend the afternoon.  As a bonus, you’re spending the day picking fruits which are perfect for your pre-wedding diet.

Go Back To School.

Did you attend school together?  Spending a day on campus, reminiscing about your time there, or cheering on your alma mater for a game can provide some relief from the wedding planning process.  If you didn’t attend school together, this is a chance to show your fiance where you have been.

Visit Museums.

If you haven’t been to a museum since your fifth grade field trip, it’s time to go back!  Visiting the museum as an adult allows you to truly appreciate all they have to offer.  And as a bonus, on a hot day they are great for an air conditioned activity.

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Avoid Wedding Stress

Your wedding day will be one of the biggest days of your life and you should enjoy it. Often brides get stressed or overwhelmed – one of the biggest mistakes a bride can make. (Want to know the others? Click here)

Here are some things you can do to keep stress at bay.

Eat something

It is a busy day, but it’s important to remember to eat. If you are too nervous to eat a full meal, make sure you eat some quality snacks. Not eating can lead to jitters as your blood sugar level fluctuates.

Stay hydrated

A hydrated bride is a happy bride. Drink plenty of water on your wedding day – especially if you are getting married in the summer months. Many ceremony sites are not air conditioned and your dress is likely to have several layers of fabric – trapping the heat in. Add to that the fact that when you are excited or nervous your heart rate increases so you lose even more fluid. It’s best to leave alcohol consumption to party hours too!

Dance

Dancing is a proven stress reliever as it releases the feel good chemical endorphins, so if functions as a mood enhancer. Instead of worrying about every last detail of the wedding reception, enjoy it. Share a dance with your guests and you’ll have a happier time.

Visit

Your closest family and friends have traveled to share your wedding day with you. Enjoy visiting with them to thank them for their participation. Listening to how much they love you, and how great you look, is sure to fill your heart with joy!

Look at your partner.

In the end the most important thing to remember is this is the day you will marry your best friend, the love of your life. Everything else is just details.

We specialize in happy brides. Email or call 248-689-0777.

www.mikestaff.com