Keeping stress at bay will ensure dream wedding day
By Marcia T. Hart-Wise
Wisechoice Productions
Marcia@wisechoiceproductions.com
Spring is here and another wedding season is upon us. It is the time of year that many people love or is it dread?
Most weddings occur in the spring and summer months, and the amount of stress that can generate from planning a full-scale production, such as a wedding, is enough to turn a bride’s wedding dreams into nuptial nightmares.
Why? Because the closer a bride gets to her special day, the more she tends to stress about details like ordering the perfect flowers or having the perfect hair style.
Anyone who has had a wedding or was in any way part of such an event understands the amount of planning and preparation goes into making the wedding day run smoothly.
The wedding process can be less stressful if the bride and groom turn the wedding frustrations into wedding fun.
Have a positive outlook. A wedding is a joyous occasion, andthe couple should have fun with the planning process. The wedding is a way to share a piece of you with friends, family and loved ones. In essence, it is a big party. So, why not have some fun. Don’t get so bogged down in details that you lose sight of the big picture. If things become too overwhelming ask a friend or family member for help. Also, remember that there are wedding consultants that are trained to take the planning burden off of you so you may enjoy you special day – stress free.
The early planner catches the good deals. Start the planning process as early as possible. This will allot you time to find that perfect dress, locate that perfect venue and get a better deal. Look through magazines and surf the Internet for ideas you may want to recreate or incorporate into your event. If you are planning a military related wedding, be sure to check all the regulations. Starting early gives you time to find what you truly want to make your day special. It also allows you to be more organized and gives you the ability to meet wedding deadlines, thus relieving stress.
Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Today, more and more couples are paying for their own weddings without help from their parents. It is important that a couple creates a budget and allocates funds for all items needed for the big event. Everyone may not have $50,000 to spend on a wedding, but everyone can have a grand affair no matter what your budget may be. Decide what aspect of the wedding is most important to you. If you love flowers and must have lots of them, ask a friend or family member to video tape the event for you and use the money allocated for the videographer to pay for the florist budget.
Get help, lots of it. Planning a wedding can become extremely overwhelming but remember there are people you can call on who are willing to help you and ease the stress. A wedding consultant can plan all the details for you or plan just a few. The idea is to not become so overwhelmed that you lose sight of what is most important, the upcoming marriage. You can also ask a friend, parent, or another family member to help you plan and prepare for the wedding.
Use competent vendors. Scout service providers. Ask people who were recently married what vendors they used and ask if they were satisfied with the service. Ask vendors for references or proof of their work. Order samples of wedding items and go to tastings and open houses. This allows you to get a feel of what service you will be provided and if it is acceptable to you. Remember to shop around for a good deal.
Take some you time. Eating right and exercising on a regular basis is the biggest stress reliever of all. Taking care of yourself will allow you the strength and peace of mind to deal with the planning process of the wedding while keeping you mentally and physically healthy.
Following the six steps outlined for you will help you experience a wedding day that is everything you imagined, minus the stress. Just remember that while the wedding is a great production it is only the gateway to the more important journey, the marriage.
(Note: Marcia T. Hart-Wise, Marcia@wisechoiceproductions.com, is the owner of Wisechoice Productions, a wedding consulting and event planning business that serves the Maryland, DC and Virginia area.)