GUEST BLOG - Elise Morgan, Writer (@elisemthewriter)

Top Tips to Stop the Stress

Getting engaged to the person of your dreams is amazing. Planning the wedding can be one of the most stressful (yet exciting and satisfying) events of your life. A study of 500 newlywed and engaged couple found that a whopping 96% considered wedding planning one of the most stressful things they had done. Wedding planning can seem like a mammoth task, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Read on for my tips for stress-free wedding planning.

Why wedding planning can be so stressful

It’s hardly surprising brides- and grooms- to be can find planning a wedding stressful. Creating the perfect day that reflects them and the relationship they’ve built takes time, but there’s still work to turn up for, bills to pay and life going on!

Making sure relatives that harbour grudges against each other aren’t seated together, venues, timing, transport, flowers… the list of things to do goes on, and on. There are LOTS of decisions to make and arrangements to consider when planning a wedding. That’s reason enough why wedding planning can become stressful. You don’t have to disappear down a rabbit hole of wedding nightmares once you say ‘”YES!” though, take a look at my tips below.

How to reduce the stress and anxiety of wedding planning

1 – Prioritise Essentials - There’s going to be lots to do to organise your wedding day and it is easy to get lost in the detail of all those arrangement. Start off with a big picture plan – a mood board of colours and themes can help with this. Prioritize the most important elements and set a budget to achieve the look and feel you envision.

2 – Hire a Wedding Planner - Now that you have a picture of what you want, it’s time to hire a wedding planner. A good planner will help you save time, money and reduce stress. They’ll help make decisions and may even be able to combine some of the bookings to keep costs down. And a good planner will always listen to what you and your partner want for the day.

3 – Sleep is Essential - No-one wants to look tired and drawn on their wedding day, so getting enough sleep is essential. Sleep allows our bodies and minds to revive and rejuvenate helping us to look our best and have a clear mind when making important decisions. Committing to a pre-wedding sleep plan will serve you well and reduce the stress of wedding planning.

4 – Stay in Shape - Working out is great for your body and mind. The physical activity of a gym session, or even a light jog, will encourage your body to produce and release endorphins, the chemical that makes us happy. The physical activity will keep your body in shape too so you look great in your wedding photos.

5 – Confide in a Friend - When it all becomes a little too much, having someone to talk to can make a world of difference. Getting worries off your mind by chatting with a close friend or your partner will make things seem a little less fraught and ease your stress levels too.

Planning your wedding doesn’t have to be a stressful exercise, if you approach it right it can turn from being stressful to a life event that brings you closer to your fiancé.

Thanks Elise, I couldnt agree more! These are the vital tips but if you are still feeling the strain, stop and drop me an email. This should be enjoyable and help build the excitement, not get you feeling low.

Keeping following the blog for more tips and ideas, A x