During the planning of your wedding it is virtually impossible to think of anything else other than your wedding. Hopefully this list will find you a little solace and fun while you take on the massive task of planning the most awesome day of your life as you know it. Without further ado let’s get to it:
1) Take a planning vacation. Contradictory? No, trust me, you need this. Your friends need this. Your fiancé needs this. Just like everyone needs a break from studying, or a night away from parenthood it will help you get back on track. I’m not saying every bride or groom-to-be is in the bridezilla/groomzilla catergory, all I’m suggesting is to give yourself a break and allow yourself to retreat from what I call the ‘planning cloud’ – it follows you everywhere. So lock that cloud in a cage for a week, or a weekend, and give yourself time to breathe. Enjoy a weekend at the cottage, go to the spa or go out for dinner with your friends and tell them that you need a break from wedding chat.
2) This one is for the bride; when your dress comes in and you get it home, PUT IT ON! Do it while your fiancé won’t be home – obviously. Dance in it, marvel at yourself and get excited to wear it again! Your dress doesn’t have to be fun for only one night. Just steer clear of red wine/coffee/ or other items that would also love to cling to your dress in the form of a nasty stain.
3) Find a DIY project you can enjoy. It will make you feel proactive in your wedding planning. I mean personally my idea of a DIY project you can enjoy is making your own wine (anyone who knows me will agree), but these are also cute too:
4) While you are planning your wedding keep a running list of all of your favourite songs that fit into these 3 categories: Cocktail/Dinner Music, First Dance Songs and songs that make you want to dance. Your DJ will thank you and you will also be happy that all of your fav. dance songs made it to your big day.
5) If you are planning your wedding more than a year in advance, keep a floral diary. What is this you ask? If you are getting married in May take note of the in-season floral at that time of year. If you are getting married in August take note of what is in season and blooming. This will save you a few dollars when discussing what you want in terms of floral with your Florist because it can be locally sourced.
6) Keep an on-going ‘To-Do’ list. Planning can snowball and become overwhelming in an instant. In order to keep the anxiety of planning such a momentous event in check, keep a list. Not only will you feel organized in doing so, you will reap the rewards every single time you get to check an item off of your list. Need help with this list, seek an expert or ask a friend who has planned a wedding (similar to your style of planning of course – someone who planned a destination wedding should not be asking for the list of someone planning a wedding at a home-town venue)
7) Lastly, relinquish control. Yes, you are the only one who knows your wedding inside, out and backwards, but on your wedding day it is time to LET-GO and be present. Be in the moment, look at your bride/groom in the eyes and drink them in. Love your surroundings and enjoy your friends and family. There are no do-overs, so be in the moment and trust your team of professionals that you have hired to handle the rest.
Wedding State of Mind 