Planning a wedding is a joyous occasion, but it can also bring about a significant amount of stress and anxiety. From choosing the perfect dress to coordinating with vendors, the pressure to create a beautiful day can be overwhelming. For some of you this is the first time creating such a large event (so of course you will have pockets of mixed feelings!)
That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Stress Free Bridal Bliss: Tips for Managing Wedding Anxiety and Finding Inner Calm. This page is dedicated to helping you navigate the emotional ups and downs of wedding planning, ensuring that you can enjoy every moment leading up to your special day.
With a background as a body-centered psychotherapist, I have spent many years helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, and panic. In this page, I have shared some fabulous tips that make a difference. Whether you’re dealing with mild jitters or more intense feelings of anxiety, you’ll find practical advice that will help ground you and your journey.
1. Prioritize self-care
In the lead up to your wedding day, self-care is so important, keep up with regular exercise, healthy eating, and ensure you have sufficient sleep. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to help calm your mind. A fabulous tip: close your eyes, pop your hand on your belly and take 3 breaths into your tummy, you’re your feet, feel your bottom sitting in the chair and breathe in and out. Also remember to schedule regular breaks and time for relaxation away from wedding planning.
2. Set realistic goals
Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: It’s important to chunk down tasks and goals. Focus on one task at a time rather than getting overwhelmed by the end result. Create a detailed timeline with deadlines to stay organized and on track.
3. Delegate responsibilities
It is also important to delegate responsibilities whether your partner, family, friends, a wedding planner to help share the workload. Be clear in your communication.
4. Stay organized
Use a wedding planning checklist, an app, or a physical planner to keep track of tasks. There are so many fabulous ones (we have created 3 different digital checklists to help you as well). Keep all important documents, contracts, and receipts in one place for easy access.
5. Focus on what matters
Concentrate on what’s most important to you and your partner and don’t get bogged down by unnecessary details.
6. Set boundaries
Planning your wedding can be overwhelming, so set aside specific times for wedding discussions and take breaks from talking about it. Be clear with family and friends about your boundaries and what you need from them.
7. Practice gratitude and positive thinking
Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the positive aspects of the planning process and use positive intentions and affirmations to maintain a clearer mindset.
8. Seek support
Consider talking to a professional if stress or anxiety becomes overwhelming.
9. Prepare for the unexpected
Always have a backup plan for critical elements like weather, vendor cancellations, or other unforeseen issues. Chat to your vendors about solutions and ideas and be prepared to adapt and go with the flow if things don’t go exactly as planned.
10. Remember the bigger picture
Focus on your beautiful love story and marriage and keep in mind that the wedding is just one day, and your marriage is for a lifetime. Acknowledge and celebrate the completion of tasks along the way.
For more in-depth support, visit my website, LIVE STRESS FREE where you’ll find additional resources as well as an incredible program designed to help you in relation to stress and anxiety which will also be a guide and support on your wedding journey
In this program, you’ll find a range of practical techniques and strategies drawn from my experience as a body-centered psychotherapist and business coach. You will experience mindfulness, simple body techniques and relaxation exercises as well as effective coping mechanisms for managing anxiety and panic.
Words written by Robyn Bull