Ideas & Trends

I have made many suggestions on how to manage your matrimonial stress. Today, I’d like to offer ways to help you prevent wedding-related stress. Instead of managing your woes that come with the burden of traditional wedding planning, let’s talk about how those burdens need not exist in the first place. Let’s get right to the root of the problem and help you plan a simple wedding. Although there are many details to coordinate in any wedding, there are ways to pare down to help you and your fiancé feel as stress-free as possible.

Keep it together - Staying organized is one of the most important ways you can make wedding planning easier for yourself. Invest in a 3-ring binder or an accordion file and keep all wedding-related material together. Print out a wedding timeline and checklist and stick to a schedule. Knowing what needs to happen ahead of time will save you time, money and many headaches down the road.

Keep it small -The most dramatic way to ensure simplicity on your wedding day is to invite less people to your party. Consider inviting only family and very close friends. Having less people means: lower cost, less coordinating, and a smaller, simpler venue.

Keep them standing -Hosting a smaller wedding means you have the flexibility to take your guests anywhere. For example, you could have your guests gather around while you say your vows right on the ocean’s edge. You’ll be spared the complications of coordinating decorations, chairs, and well, virtually everything (other than the cost of an officiant and your wedding day duds). At the reception, instead of a formal sit down dinner host a hors d’oeuvre/cocktail party. You’ll come away with a fully elegant celebration with half the fuss.

Keep them busy -A tip to the wise: Don’t try to do everything yourself! Giving up some control will really make your life easier and save you a lot of stress. If you can embrace a sharing attitude, you may gain a greater sense of community with your friends and family. Be open to the ideas of others and delegate tasks that you feel comfortable with letting go.

Keep your focus -Remember the purpose of planning a wedding is to celebrate the love and commitment between you and your partner. The purpose is not to have the latest, most expensive trend item of the month. Keep your perspective and focus on why you are inviting your closest friends and family to come together in the first place. Let the peripheral unneeded details fall away for the sake of your sanity.

Keep it short -Consider planning a morning or afternoon wedding. Planning an earlier wedding will keep costs down and allow you to have a shorter ceremony and reception. Don’t worry you’ll still dance the day away, but just not the night.

Keep to yourself -The best piece of advice I can give you is to stay out of drama. Although this may sound easier said than done, staying out of unnecessary family and friendship conflicts will help your wedding day go as smoothly as possible. Pick your battles and do your best to keep the focus on getting married. Take the middle road by not engaging in overt people pleasing (bridal doormat) or overly controlling behaviors (bridezilla). Keeping a level head through the process will help you to enjoy creating one of the most special days of your life.

Make this acromyn your wedding planning mantra: K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple, Sweethearts)! Simplifying your wedding will surely allow you and your fiancé to have fun and enjoy planning your day together.