Wedding Stress – Getting Married Can Get Stressful

If you’re expecting a lot of pre-wedding stress as you plan for your big day, you’re probably right. Planning a wedding is a busy and often overwhelming time. While stress can indicate that you’re engaged and excited about the event, there are ways to minimize pressure without stepping back from the situation.

Stress management is a crucial process for wedding planning and beyond. You want to be closely involved in the wedding, but too much stress can interfere with the likelihood of a smooth and enjoyable day.

According to StayHitched.com, there are four main tasks involved in managing stress. By following these steps, you can reduce anxiety around this special day:

• Recognize and understand the signs of stress.
• Identify and understand the sources of stress.
• Learn to manage controllable sources of stress.
• Learn to support yourself and cope with stress reactions to situations beyond your control.

Signs of Stress

Too much stress can manifest in a variety of negative symptoms. According to StressFocus.com, the signs of stress include loss of appetite, chest pain, breathlessness, weight loss, sleeplessness, loss of sexual drive, mood swings, depression, headaches, irritability, lack of concentration, and dependence on alcohol.

If you’re preparing for your big day, you’ll want to be in top shape so you can fully enjoy the moment. A wedding can be a stressful event, but by channeling your nerves into excitement instead of stress, you’ll give yourself a better chance of success while planning and preparing for your special day.

Sources of Stress

As you prepare for your wedding, you’ll face many difficult decisions, handle expenses, meet expectations, and adapt to new roles. These situations can have a significant emotional impact. By ignoring the sources of stress, you open yourself up to the possibility of feeling overwhelmed.

It’s understandable that you want your wedding to be perfect, but perfection can be an unrealistic standard. Expecting a flawless wedding only adds unnecessary stress.

You’ll also need to manage relationships that can cause tension. During wedding planning, there are five main types of people who may contribute to your stress. By addressing these relationships appropriately, you can limit the stress in your life:

• Wedding vendors: They want to make as much money as possible and may try to sell you more expensive options. Stick to your budget—you’ll feel better for it.
• Divorced or bickering friends: It’s not your job to solve everyone’s problems; it’s their job to respect your special event. If friends act out of line, tell them you’re happy to have them at the wedding, but you’d appreciate it if they refrained from fighting.
• Well-wishing friends and family: Remember, it’s your wedding. You’ll likely receive many opinions about what colors to choose and other details. Thank your friends and family for their input, but do things your way.
• Your parents: Your parents are used to offering input on your life. While it’s important to involve them and give them tasks, make sure your wedding reflects your wishes, not theirs.
• Each other: You and your partner will likely clash on some decisions. Planning a wedding can be stressful for both of you. By dividing tasks and ensuring both of you feel equally involved, communication is key throughout the process.

By recognizing the sources of stress during wedding planning, you’ll be better equipped to avoid them. A little stress is natural, but too much can take a toll on your well-being.

Overcoming Stress

If you’re struggling to manage wedding stress, here are some strategies to reduce pressure and make the process more manageable:

Reevaluate your expectations to see if they are realistic. If you’re expecting too much from the wedding, stress levels will increase. While a perfect wedding is ideal, creating one is beyond your control.
Trust others to do their parts. If the wedding planner is handling the catering and knows your preferences, let them do their job. If a family member is tasked with finding a photographer, allow them to complete the search. Micromanaging every detail will only lead to burnout and frustration.
Ensure that your wedding plans align with your true desires. Many couples end up overwhelmed by trying to plan a wedding that doesn’t reflect their own wishes. Communicate with your partner to align expectations and create an event that satisfies both of you.
Delegate tasks to others who are eager to help. Instead of taking on everything yourself, recognize that many people want to contribute to making your day special.
Trust your vendors. Although you might feel hesitant about outsourcing tasks, remember that they are experts in their fields. Choose which areas you want to oversee and let the professionals handle the rest.
Take time off work if the wedding preparations become too hectic. Your primary focus should be on your wedding, not your job. Worry about your income later.
Wedding stress is inevitable for many couples who don’t prepare for it in advance. By understanding the sources of stress, you’ll be more prepared to handle any challenges that arise.

Remember, stress is a natural part of the wedding planning process because your emotions are so invested in the day. By minimizing pressure and trusting others, you’ll make it easier to enjoy the planning process and create a memorable, joyful celebration.