Wedding Blog

With all there is to do and worry about as your wedding day approaches, it's no wonder that the curse of the Bridezilla is a common phenomenon. In order to keep your fangs and talons under wraps, it's necessary to control the sources of your wedding planning stress as well as you can. Here are a few tips to help you soothe the beast.

Get organized.
You don't have to be totally type-A to be an effective task-manager, so don't fret if you're not the kind to alphabetize your To-Do List and carry a laminated copy in your wallet. In fact, a little bit of "go with the flow" mentality can help you keep things in perspective, rather than flying off the handle if, say, you have to wait an extra two days to receive your invitations from the printers. (Don't worry - your future mother-in-law will still make it to the event. Sorry.) So relax, but remember that it is helpful to stay on top of things when it comes to wedding planning. Use a calendar to keep track of events and important deadlines, and be sure to write things down. Also, don't be afraid to delegate responsibilities and accept offers of assistance; you simply can't do everything yourself …except the cake tastings. Hey, it's tough work, but sometimes a bride's just got to pick up her fork and dig in.

Whose Wedding is it, anyway?
While you may feel dreadfully short on time, cash and patience, there is one thing that's sure to be abundant as you approach your nuptials: other people's opinions. From the wording on the invitations to the debate about allowing kids at your reception, it seems like everyone and her mother (and probably yours, too) feels compelled to bombard you with unsolicited advice. It's enough to make even the most put together woman go Bridal. Take a step back and remember that there are only two of you getting married, even though it might feel like an uncomfortably crowded affair at the moment. This means that you have the final say on all of the plans, and you shouldn't try to please everyone because it's a futile effort. As long as you and your groom feel like the event is unfolding to be just what you wished for, you are on the right track.

Eat, sleep and be married.
Don't underestimate the effects of sleep and physical health on your mental state. It may be tempting to pull an all-nighter in order to get that seating chart finished (Who can you put next to Aunt Edna the Cat Lady? The urge to solve monumental dilemmas like this one can plague you into the wee hours!), but you will be better off if you get a full night's sleep and tackle the planning tasks when you're fully rested. Repeatedly coming up short on sleep will drag you down, make you less efficient and consequently more likely to become stressed out…and sick. Also, be sure to eat well - which means that you should aim for somewhere in between super-sizing your value meal 3 times daily, and consuming only celery and breath mints. Finally, don't forget to eat on your big day…nobody wants to see the bride faint at the altar, although this does make for a memorable wedding.

Recognize that this is an emotional time.
Hey, you're about to get married. Whether you're 20 or 40, this is a huge, life-altering event that can bring a wide range of emotions to the surface. If you find that certain friends and family members are difficult to deal with or cause you stress, try talking to those people about how you feel before Bridezilla takes charge with an untimely swipe of her well-manicured claw. If you tend to be fairly non-confrontational (I hear you sister - I'd sooner sport a mullet to my high school reunion than begin an uncomfortable conversation with a friend or relative), you may prefer to get your feelings down in writing. This can be both effective and cathartic. If you find that your emotions and stress level are affecting your relationship with your fiancé, be sure to get the issue out in the open before it causes resentment or a nerve-wracking case of cold feet.

Take a break!
Whether it's a regular exercise routine that clears your mind, or an occasional dinner with girlfriends, make sure you schedule time away from wedding planning. There are lots of options: Hit the spa, take a hike, or my personal favorite: Enjoy a frosty poolside margarita or six (you don't even need the pool here-I've been known to use my bathtub. If you're the adventurous type, try doing something exciting to take your mind off of your stress for a while - hit the roller coasters at an amusement park or go bungee jumping. A bridely word of advice, here: don't enjoy a half-dozen poolside margaritas and then decide to go bungee jumping; it's best to enjoy these activities separately.