Wedding Planning Panic

I know that I did this and a lot of the brides that I speak to also have their moments!! It is natural – you get one shot to get it right and there is a lot of stress involved from money worries, guest lists to the search for the perfect dress. It’s not like we can quit work for a year to plan it, nor stop all of our normal daily routine.  It all has to be squeezed in around our busy schedules.

So what are the most common worries for any bride?

·        The feeling that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.  The first part of wedding planning is the hardest.  You may have an idea of the venue but don’t know the date yet, or have seen the perfect dress but don’t have the funds yet. Take a deep breath.  You will get there.  Buy a wedding magazine; sit down with a notebook and pen and some scissors and glue.  Get a cup of tea and sit and relax.  As you flick through the magazine circle any ideas you like.  There will always be a page in the mag that is dedicated to budgeting and planning the big day.  You mind find it a little rigid.   I think a great idea is to do your own.  Take the information from the wedding magazine planner and list all of the things on it that you want to have.  Split that in to the most expensive things like the photographer, venue etc.  The things that take a long time to arrange (these will be similar to the first list).  Then separate out all the things like invites that need doing by a specific date.  Split them out so that you plan and book one thing each month to allow for spreading the cost.  This way you are also spreading out the stressfulness and the fun over a longer period of time.

·        There is also a bit of fear that you may be too organised, that you should be spending lots of time looking for that special dress.  Not necessarily – it really is true that when you try on the one then you know.  This may take several trips to the shops or it may be love at first sight.  Everyone is different.  Don’t feel pressured to follow the herd!

·        You might not have any idea how you want your wedding to be styled.  Don’t panic.  Just concentrate on getting the dress and venue sorted and the rest will follow.  Think of what your favourite flowers are and what season you are marrying in.  Speak to a florist about whether you can get your favourites at that time of year.  Your florist will be able to give you ideas on the colours available and then you can use this information to choose bridesmaid dresses and other details.  Don’t feel that you need to have a ‘theme’.  It doesn’t have to be all ‘shabby chic’ or all one colour.  It’s your wedding – do it your way.  Choose what you like – that’s your style.

·        Once you find your wedding dress stop looking! You have the one; don’t cause yourself more angst by looking for anything better.

·        Choose your bridesmaids well and then delegate them the task of the Hen-do organising.

·        Join a wedding forum for brides getting married in the same year as you for support and hints and tips.