Your wedding is one of the most significant moments in your lifetime. Officially joining together with your life partner in front of your friends and family can be one of the happiest days of your life.
Because of its importance, it can also be very stressful. You don’t want it to get out of control, causing you to overeat, lose sleep or indulge in too many cocktails. There are a few simple things you can do to stay physically and mentally healthy during this stressful time and look your best on your wedding day.
- Make a budget — and stick to it: The average cost of an American wedding was approximately $35,000 in 2016. Regardless of how you plan the event, it’s still a significant expense, and managing your budget can be stressful.
Creating a realistic budget for your wedding is essential. It’s best to do this well in advance when you aren’t so invested in the details yet. It’s ease to overspend when you’re in the moment and haven’t budgeted for specific items.
Decide what is important to you and what you can really afford. Plus, sticking to a budget will help keep your stress low. - Make time for yourself : During planning, it can be easy to get preoccupied with all the details. After all, you have to make sure you send the invitations, order the flowers, plan the menus and work on seating arrangements. The list seems endless.
Even the most easy-going bride can experience periods of elevated stress during the planning stage of a wedding. Taking some time for yourself is important. Whether it’s a trip to the spa, a movie, a weekend getaway or going for a run, make sure you set aside time for yourself often to reflect and rejuvenate. - Reserve time for you and your partner: It seems counter-intuitive, but during all the planning for the special day, it can be easy to forget to take time out for just the two of you. Plan a special dinner, a movie or another kind of date night that doesn’t just focus on the wedding, but also honors the relationship.
- Delegate: While many of us want to take control and do everything ourselves, this can cause unnecessary stress and illness if it goes on too long. Ask for help from members of the wedding party or your family. They are there to help you and want to be involved.
Decide what you can afford to pay someone to do for you. Whether it’s planning the décor or helping to create the custom wedding invitations, you’ll be glad to delegate some of the work. You’ll save some peace of mind and be better off because of it. - Eat clean: The last thing you want is to feel ill on your wedding day. While it can be easy to overlook eating a healthy diet during the weeks leading up to the wedding, it’s important to eat clean to maintain your strength and mental clarity.
Plan out your meals and eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole foods, grains and seeds to keep your energy at full capacity and your skin glowing for perfect wedding pictures! - Don’t skip the workout : Between running to dress fittings, ordering flowers and tasting cakes, it may be tempting to skip a workout. But in order to keep your immune system up and feel your best, stick to your exercise routine as much as possible.
- Keep it simple: Many couples make the mistake of including way too many details in their wedding. Discuss what is important to you with your partner. Then, choose some smaller details to complement the important ones — and forget the rest.
On your special day, the most important thing you’ll remember is the quality time with the people in your life who love and support you. All the other details are nice, but if you are stressing about chair covers or centerpieces, remember that they won’t matter in the end. - Get some sleep: Set a time to go to sleep every night and stick to it. “Beauty rest” is a real thing — you need a proper night’s sleep to ensure you stay healthy and alert and look fabulous for the major event.
- Don’t drink alcohol: You’ll have plenty of time to celebrate with a drink or two during and after the wedding — especially if you’re choosing a signature cocktail for your reception. The weeks leading up to the big day should be alcohol-free so you’ll feel and look your best.
- Take a multivitamin: When you are busy running from place to place, it can be easy to forget to eat a balanced diet. To curb this adverse effect of just being very busy, select a high-quality multivitamin that can supplement your diet and help boost your energy.
- Meditate : Meditation can be a very effective way to calm your mind and curb the stress during the lead-up to a wedding. And with a little practice and training, you can meditate anywhere.
Find a quiet place, sit down and concentrate on your breathing. Simply listen to your breath and focus on areas of your body that may feel tense. If you are more technologically inclined, however, there are many free apps you can use to meditate with a guide.
With a few simple guidelines, you can minimize stress while planning your wedding day. After all, it’s one of the most significant days of your life. You should enjoy the journey almost as much as the wedding day!