Planning a wedding is a happy and exciting time. The prospect of celebrating the start of a lifetime together is a dream in romance stories. In reality, the wedding fever has not died down either. A study by The Knot about real weddings in 2022 showed that over 2 million couples said their vows in 2022, and the numbers are not expected to die down.

However, there are a lot of factors in planning a wedding that can become stressful. According to an article by 77 Diamonds on mental well-being before and after a wedding, the actual planning stage is stressful for 72% of surveyed couples. The stress begins as early as announcing the engagement all the way to the wedding ceremony, and includes money concerns and family expectations, to name a few.

HOW TO KEEP FROM GOING CRAZY

Here are some things you can do to keep stress levels down and enjoy this monumental event:

1. Get organized

As with any project, an organized approach is a great way to start. Recognize what your dream wedding is, and create a visual timeline. The more concrete your vision is, the easier it is to avoid distractions.

Make a list of priorities and focus your energy around the top priorities for decisions. If environmental impact is a priority, as in ‘Something Green: How to Make Your Wedding Eco-Friendly’, focusing on that can streamline your decision-making about other wedding venues and supplies.

2. Eat well

Good nutrition affects your physical health and mental health. Harvard Health Publishing stated that eating high-quality food gives your brain nourishment, and that there is a correlation between what you eat and how you feel. So, remember to eat meals regularly and strive to eat healthy food rather than junk food. Keeping yourself satisfied and full can also help you avoid unhealthy snacking which can make you feel worse.

3. Get plenty of sleep

Sleep is imperative for mental health because your body and brain need to recharge from all the wedding preparation tasks.

Make sleep a priority at the end of each day and remind yourself not to think about wedding matters near bedtime. Ensure that your bedroom is conducive to sleep and keep wedding things such as vision boards or lists out of your sleeping space.

4. Take a moment

Taking care of yourself is an essential part of reducing stress. Restful actions like taking a walk among nature can give you a sense of calm when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Meditating or doing breathing exercises can do wonders for your nerves. According to Breathworks’ Ana Lilia, changing the way you are breathing is the quickest way to change the way you feel. Taking deep breaths allows your body to get the oxygen it needs to calm down.

5. Delegate

One of the best things about getting married is having a partner. Communicating with your partner about delegating tasks reduces the planning burden, making this chapter of the wedding more enjoyable for both.

You can also reach out to your friends and family. They will no doubt be happy to be a part of your special occasion, and including them can also help build bonds between future relatives.

6. Make a done list

While it is more common to create a to-do list, making a “done list” can help you focus on the positives. Seeing your list grow is a good way to get more excited about the wedding.

You can also incorporate minimalism into your list. One of the ‘Key Tenets of Minimalism to Help You Live Sustainably’ is to treasure relationships more than material stuff. Instead of focusing on the material things you have acquired, try to bring attention to the fun experiences you had while preparing.

7. Step away and reset

When you feel as if you are becoming anxious, take a break. Sometimes, this is what you need to bring your focus and enthusiasm back.

Reflect on the beginning of your story and your initial vision again. Remove anything from your tasks that doesn’t match your vision. Spend time with your significant other to bring the focus back to your relationship and remember that this wedding is all about your love and the external variables you cannot control.

Key Tenets of Staying Sane While Planning a Wedding