Tips that Help You to Be Stress-Free on Your Wedding Day

Because this is something you will cherish for the rest of your life it is very important that you plan it properly. Even though weddings are a joyous occasion, all the planning, expectations bring the most stress. But don't let it get to you, don't get obsessed over the perception because you will make yourself miserable and lose track of your plans. Take a moment and look around at the people that are there to support the love between you and your partner. No dress, cake or decor is more important than the success of your marriage.

Pick The Perfect Wedding Venue

There is no doubt that the most challenging part of wedding planning is finding the perfect venue. By all the visiting and researching pays off when you finally book the wedding venue that is perfect for your needs, budget and fulfil your visions. But unfortunately, most people don't really know what kind of venue they would like to get married, and what will be right for their needs.

Searching for the perfect wedding venue is often presented as a super easy and fast choice, and unfortunately, that is not true. Not everyone has been dreaming about their perfect wedding venue and know what they need and want.

Yes, people can help you by suggesting venues and themes but when it comes to choosing the venue it is a personal choice and no one can tell you want to choose.

Have The Perfect Makeup

It doesn't matter how good you are at doing makeup, you don't want to wait till your wedding day to try out your wedding day makeup look. It is important that you practice until you have it processed and until you are pleased with every detail of it. Don't feel stupid, take notes of what and where you are putting on what makeup to help you master your look.

While false eyelashes are not necessary and most times they look really fake getting eyelash extensions will definitely benefit your whole wedding makeup look. Not only will it accentuate your eyes, but it will also make you feel super confident and it will actually help get rid of the stress of wondering if your mascara is going to run or if your fake eyelashes are going to fall off.

They are great because they aren't fake and they fit in with everyone's style and look fairly natural. Even the photographers said that long luscious eyelashes will accentuate your look in photos and real life.

Have A Proper Diet

Because your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, it is not worth listening to the gossip meal plans and low-calorie diets that are in all the magazines. You should always be eating well and healthy, especially on a big day like your wedding.

Hydrate and refuel. Your wedding week is no time to underestimate the importance of drinking heavy amounts of water and eating healthy nourishing foods. Staying hydrated and eating healthy is crucial for giving your body straight to manage the nerves and emotions. Don't think your dress will fit better if you start skipping meals.

Relax

Because wedding planning comes with so much to do and think about it is unavoidable that you will get overwhelmed at some point. Clear your head, sleep well, meditate by taking deep breaths in and out for a few minutes during the day and it will help slow down your heat and make you feel relaxed.

Before you start getting ready for the big day, go take a walk, go for fun or jog or just dance around the house to get your body moving. Physical movement will help you lower your stress levels.

Your wedding is your time to shine, don't let stress ruin your magical day. At the end, it won't matter if a storm comes sweeping through or your zipper breaks, you are marrying the love of your life and nothing can get in the way of that.

Author bio:

Maggie Holmes is a passionate blog writer who is keen on writing about beauty, wedding, technology and design. Her hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time. Follow her on twitter at

3 Self-Care Tips for Brides-To-Be

The days, weeks, and months leading up to your wedding will be filled with many emotions. While most of these will be happy, this busy time can also bring on feelings of stress and anxiety, especially if you don’t take care of yourself.

Between booking a venue, finalizing your guest list, dress shopping, and mentally preparing for your big day, wedding planning can quickly become overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be a daunting task! With a little pre-planning and self care, you can prepare for your big day with ease.

Here are three ways you can incorporate self-care on your pre-wedding to-do list:

Give Yourself a Break

Wedding planning can occupy your whole schedule, leaving you little time to focus on anything else. And, just like a full-time job, there will be times when you’ll need to take a break from all the craziness. You may want to get everything done at once, but planning for your wedding shouldn’t push you to your limits.

When planning becomes more of a stressor than an enjoyment, consider stepping away to relax and rejuvenate. Set aside at least one day per week to take a mental break and focus on things other than wedding planning.

Plan a weekend trip with your bridesmaids, read a book by the fire, or head out for some retail therapy. Whenever possible, limit wedding talk on these days, and fully immerse yourself in an activity that you enjoy. If you’re not sure what to do, refer to this list of ways you can take a break from wedding planning.

Tend To Your Beauty

As you know, pre-wedding stress can take a toll on your mental wellbeing. But did you know it can also affect your physical appearance? Regularly tending to your physical well-being will help ensure you look your best ahead of your nuptials so you won’t have to stress when the day finally arrives.

Be sure to plan ahead and schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to determine the best course of action for your skin. For ongoing care, consider treating yourself to regular spa treatments, such as facials, body wraps, and deep tissue massages. Or, plan at-home spa days for mental and physical relaxation. Run a warm bubble bath, use a face exfoliator, and apply a moisturizing sheet mask to keep your complexion healthy and hydrated.

The stress of planning can also have you figuratively, and literally, pulling out your strands. This can lead to unintentional beauty blunders and unhealthy looking locks on your big day. To avoid any mishaps, consider starting a fortifying shampoo and conditioner early in the planning process to ensure a thick and full head of hair on your wedding day.

Spend Time With Your Partner

Getting engaged is exciting! You and your partner are getting ready to build the rest of your lives together. However, the wedding planning process can quickly disrupt the peace. During this time, the focus of your relationship may shift from each other to all your pre-wedding responsibilities.

That’s why it’s smart to establish relationship-strengthening habits that keep the bond strong through these trying times. Don’t lose sight of the reason behind all of your planning, and make a conscious effort to keep the romance alive. After all, you are getting married.

During the planning process, make sure to schedule regular date nights. Go out to dinner or plan a movie night in, and avoid discussing anything pertaining to your big day. Use this time to reconnect with one another and fall in love all over again. Reassuring each other through gratitude and affection will help give you both peace of mind through all of the chaos.

Preparing for your wedding is a lot of work, but it shouldn’t lead you to burnout. With these self care tips, you’ll ensure you look and feel your best in time for your wedding day!

How to Create a Unique Winter Wedding

Even though we’re still living in the wonderful time of fall, before we know it, winter will be here. Along with enjoying typical winter activities such as sledding and skiing, winter is also another great time for gorgeous weddings. It’s less popular than some other wedding seasons like Spring and Fall. But it has just as much beauty to offer! If you’re planning on having your wedding during the time of winter wonderland, here are some ways to make your big day as unique as possible.

Have a Hot Chocolate Bar

We all know that wintertime is the best and most enjoyable time to indulge in a delicious cup of hot chocolate. If you really want to make your wedding extra special, set up a hot chocolate bar for your guests. With toppings you can offer such as coconut, chocolate chips, marshmallows and perhaps alcohol for those of age, this will be a great addition to your wedding and will keep your guests both warm and hydrated throughout the night.

Katya Austin courtesy of Unsplash

Add in Unexpected Color

While winter weddings are common for including typical colors such as green, white and silver, if you want to add uniqueness to your wedding, include unexpected colors! This can be done in several ways. One way is through adding in colorful wedding accessories. If you want your jewelry to stand out, dare to include a pair of emerald or purple earrings and pair it with a multi-colored necklace. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, think about including bright colors into your hairstyle. By applying a hair coloring conditioner, you have the option to dye your hair whatever color and however intense a shade you desire! Whether you want to include a colorful shawl into your outfit or add in color throughout your makeup and bridal hairstyle, adding in bright colors will be a great way to add a little something extra to your day.

Kelly Sikkema courtesy of Unsplash

Offer Your Guests Blankets

Whether you plan on having your wedding ceremony inside or outside, with wintertime, it’s extremely easy for your guests to be cold. In order to add a cozy touch and for your guests to not have to rely on their winter coats, offer each and every one of your guests a blanket. Not only will these blankets help to keep your guests warm throughout the night, but they can double as wedding favors as well. You can offer plaid blankets to fit the cozy winter theme or have each blanket monogrammed with you and your partner’s name. Whatever you decide to do, offering your guests blankets will definitely be useful throughout the night.

Have a Carriage Ride

What could be better to include in a winter wedding than a romantic, seasonal carriage ride? This won’t only give your guests a chance to enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery, but it will be the unexpected and unique experience your guests will never forget. You can choose to have it during the wedding reception, at the end of the night or even possibly use it as a mode of transportation for your guests from the ceremony to the reception!

8 Ways to Prepare your Outdoor Space for an At-home Wedding

Contributed by Kacey Bradley

Nothing is quite as intimate and cozy as an at-home wedding in the great outdoors. But, there's a few tips you should keep in mind to turn tying the knot outside into a breeze. Here's a look at 8 ways you can prep your outdoor arrangements for the upcoming big day.

1. Personalize Your Space
One of the biggest perks of throwing a wedding at your home is having the freedom to customize your space entirely to your needs.

Let your style and personality reflect your outdoor decor and arrangements. Because it's your home, you can add any details you please! Whether you decide to hang up personalized banners or trickle rose petals across your front lawn, one of the best ways to prep for an outdoor wedding is to let go of boundaries and fully customize your space.

2. Get Organized
You don't want your guests to fumble over hoses and rakes on your wedding day, right? Never underestimate the importance of giving your outdoor area a good ol' cleaning.

There are many different ways to organize the outside of your home, so you can add a touch of personalization to your sense of organization, too. Use flattering furniture that doubles as storage to store away tools, lawn equipment and general outdoor accessories.

3. Incorporate the Theme
You may have your indoor decorations down to the T, but can you claim the same for your outdoor arrangements, too? Establish a theme that is apparent both indoors and outside.

If you don't have a theme already in place, now's the perfect time to brainstorm one! Themes contribute to a memorable experience. As an added bonus, they make your wedding day photos even more personal, too.

4. Invest in a Tent
No matter where you live, the weather goes by its own schedule. While outdoor plans may leave you vulnerable to the elements, an easy way to safeguard your wedding from unpredictable weather is to set up a tent to comfortably protect your guests.

Tents provide shade in hot temperatures and protection against water when it rains or snows. Do a headcount of your guest list to invest in the perfectly proportioned tent for your festivities.

5. Check for Pests
Make sure that your guests are the only ones digging into your delicious dishes on the day of your wedding by ridding your outdoor space of pests and bugs beforehand.

If you notice any bee or hornets nests, you'll want to remove them safely with the help of an expert. Remove any free standing water, leaves or piled up debris in your yard to deter small animals from visiting your lawn.

If you plan to eat outdoors at your wedding, light some citronella candles to ward off insects and other pests. On your wedding day, your human guests should be the only one enjoying your food!

6. Prep the Furniture

Chances are, you won't have enough seating or tables available on-hand to accommodate all of your guests. To minimize your costs, consider hiring a rental company to supply you with all of your outdoor furnishings required for the event.

7. Don't Forget the Lights
The darkness may be romantic and mysterious, but nothing spells disaster quite like navigating through an outdoor space without lighting.

Make a landscape lighting plan and decide which area of your space you want to brighten up during your big day. Common areas that often require additional lighting include dance floors, dining areas, pathways and anywhere guests will be seated.

Soft lights add to the ambiance and can really tie together the look of your wedding. You don't have to settle for harsh lights. Consider using Chinese lanterns, candles or string lights when possible.

8. Envision Your Wedding Day
The best way to prepare your outdoor space for a wedding is to create a mental image of how you picture your actual wedding day. Never go into your preparation blindly to avoid potential confusion or unwanted arrangements.

Discuss your plans with your soon-to-be-bride or groom and come to an agreement on your outdoor must-have accessories, decor and festivities. Then, the next step is to put these actions in motion so that you can successfully enjoy the big day!

Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!

Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!

10 Fun and Memorable Wedding Party Photo Ideas

By Harper Reid

When it comes to wedding party photos, think outside the box. Pick a fun and memorable photography idea that will be talked about by your guests for years to come. Create a great atmosphere, break the ice and share many laughs. Keep reading for 10 unique and innovative ideas for wedding party photos.

Themed furniture

It has been 100 years since the roaring 20’s. The Gatsby theme is popular for parties, but what about a Gatsby-inspired area for wedding photos? Hire vintage furniture to set the scene. Accessorize with a wicker screen, patterned rug or a stack of vintage suitcases. If Gatsby just isn’t your thing, pick another era, color theme or even a country.

Props, props, props

An affordable way to capture some fun and playful wedding photos is through prop use. Head to your local fancy dress shop. Over-sized glasses, funny hats and other accessories work well in photos.

For the creative types, make your own! Download templates from the internet including mustaches, speech bubbles, bow-ties and many more.

Bouncy castle

Bouncy castles don’t lose their appeal no matter your age. A bouncy castle is the newest wedding trend. You can now hire white bouncy castles complete with gold or floral trim to match perfectly with your decor. So, kick off your dress shoes and have some fun!

Trampoline photo booth

This idea is a little different, but we guarantee this will be a unique experience for your guests. You may have had a stressful time planning your wedding. Now is the time to relax and enjoy the fun. What better way to have fun than with a trampoline photo booth? A trampoline photo booth will no doubt create some lasting memories and make for some spectacular action shots.

Photo Credit: Dan Olson via Flickr under License

Wedding party jump rope

Take it back to your schoolyard days with a classic game of jump rope. This is an incredibly affordable option to capture some fun wedding photos. All you need is a large skipping rope to fit the full wedding party.

Chalkboard signs

Give each guest to be photographed their own chalkboard. They can write a heartfelt message to the bride and groom or opt for nicknames, inside jokes or drawings.

Or, you can opt for a large chalkboard as the backdrop. Have each guest write a message, then photos can be taken with the signed backdrop. To save money, you can make it yourself. Simply buy a poster board and some chalkboard paint from a hardware store.

Polaroid camera with guestbook

Polaroid cameras have made a comeback. Leave a polaroid camera and film by the guest book. Ask the guests to take pictures of themselves and stick the photo next to their message.Pass the camera around during the reception. Your guests will enjoy sharing the camera around to take photos throughout the night. 

Photo Credit: a. pasquier via Flickr under License

Oversized polaroid frame

Take polaroids to a new level by going from fun-size to oversize. Cut out a polaroid frame for guests to pose with. Make them large enough to fit a few guests’ faces. Prepare multiple frames so that guests can write their own caption. 

Retro van booth

Setting up a photo booth in a retro van is a perfect idea for an outdoors, rustic-themed wedding. Hire a VW Kombi and set up a camera in the back with a shutter remote. The convenience of the van means you can park it wherever you need and allows for an extra area if you’re pushed for space inside your wedding venue.

Drone Shots

Use a drone to get those dreamy, cinematic shots. With technology fast evolving, you can now get a drone at a great price. Practice using the drone prior to your wedding day to ensure you get the perfect shots. If photography isn’t your thing, hire a drone pilot for your wedding day to get these spectacular shots.

Author bio:

Harper loves to celebrate the special milestones of her friends and family. She particularly loves the funny wedding speeches, the vibrant and exciting mood, and the dancing! When she’s not off to another event, Harper spends most of her time writing for blogs and Kiwi sites such as About Giving. Learn more about Harper’s work here.

Unique Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

A lot goes into planning a wedding, from booking the perfect venue to designing your reception space, and so much more. Once you check the big items off your to-do list, there are a thousand more smaller decisions that need to be made. 

Choosing a wedding theme helps bring your vision to life so you can focus on how to decorate your wedding and reception space. A boho chic wedding theme for example often features vintage furniture rentals such as peacock chairs. This theme also brings in worldly inspiration, such as hanging lanterns reminiscent of Morocco. 

While reception table decor may not be your biggest priority as you plan your big day, these small details can have a big impact on your reception vibe. Your reception decorations also have a way of sneaking into a lot of wedding photographs, so remember that you’ll be looking at these centerpieces for years to come! 

Centerpieces are also a great way to show off your couple personality to all of your guests, as every guest that attends your reception will get a chance to admire the table decor up close. While florals have been the classic choice for table centerpieces for years, many couples are now optioning for more unique and affordable options. 

Featuring unique centerpieces and elements that are not flowers into your table decor lets you give guests a “wow” wedding moment. There are endless options for your wedding centerpieces, so get creative and ditch the traditional (and overdone) floral! Check out our bohemian and trendy centerpiece inspiration below or head over to Zola to check out more wedding centerpiece inspiration. 

Gentlemen: 5 Tips to Perfect Your Look for the Wedding

Grooms, when it comes to wedding prep, you often think the process is obvious. It’s as simple as taking a shower and getting dressed in your suit, right? Not entirely. Think of your bride’s preparation (makeup application, hair, and the dress), and take your grooming routine to the next level. Here are some ideas for making your wedding day prep extra special!

Get A Facial

This is a great way to renew your skin and treat yourself before the wedding! Facials can be modified to fit your skin needs so let your esthetician know of any concerns you may have. There are often options for sun damage, clogged pores, and fine lines. Exfoliating, masking, and massaging the face can help reduce acne and increase blood circulation. Post-facial, your skin will feel dewy and refreshed. If you have any questions about how to take care of your skin leading up to the big day, then you can ask your facialist and they will be able to give you some recommendations!

Trim That Beard

For a dapper and clean look, you should maintain your facial hair the week of the wedding. If you’ve recently been to the barber, then you can trim the beard line and neckline yourself by following their work! Doing this is essential for any man with facial hair, whether it’s a long beard, mustache, some stubble. Before you get started, make sure you’re equipped with the best shaving products. As you start the process, prepare your skin with shaving cream to hydrate and soften. For a cleaner shave on the cheekbones and neckline, use a flex hinge razor that follows the contours of your face for precision. Your neckline should begin about 2 fingers above your Adam's apple.

Pick Out a Special Cologne

Wearing a special scent is a great way to add a unique touch to your wedding day appearance. Your bride will love that you tried something different to make the day more special. If you’re buying a bottle of cologne for the wedding specifically, take note of what your partner likes or have them come shopping with you. On your wedding day, you will be hugging your spouse and countless guests including friends and family, so try to find something you like that isn’t too strong!

Wear SPF

Sun damage has been proven to cause wrinkles and signs of aging to your skin so it is very important to wear sunscreen. This is especially true if you plan on having a summer wedding in an outdoor venue. But you shouldn’t just wear SPF on sunny days. Dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen daily because the sun’s UV rays can cause harm on cloudy days too! Remembering to apply sunscreen will help keep your complexion beautiful and even while reducing wrinkles.

Wear a Family Heirloom

The bride often follows the superstition about wearing “something old” on her wedding day, and you can too! If there is a family heirloom that’s been passed down, ask your loved ones if it’s okay to wear it as a personal touch on your big day. It could be a tie, pocket watch, or even a pair of cufflinks. This is a great way to pay tribute to a deceased family member who would have loved to attend your wedding ceremony.

Bottom line, don’t let your bride get all the rave reviews. It’s your day to shine too. Spend a little extra time on looking your best. It will pay off every time you look through those wedding photos.

Things to Include on Your Registry That You'll Actually Use

When wedding planning you can often get caught up in expectations of what you should, or shouldn’t do and include. This can be an expensive cycle to get caught up in, and when it comes time for your registry it can mean you end up with a bunch of stuff that will only take up space while sitting untouched for years to come.

A good system is look at what you use everyday and find things you want to replace, things that would be helpful and essentials you might need for the future. With the rise of registry options and aggregate sites there’s more flexibility and choice as to what you can include, and also how much guests are willing to contribute towards.

Splurge Where It Counts

Don’t feel the need to add every little thing you think you want, take a look and see if instead you can upgrade something you truly need to a nicer model. Instead of having that set of crystal martini glasses you will never use, upgrade your vacuum from a mid-range to a quality model that will have more functions and probably last longer. Bakeware is a popular registry choice, but if you only use your oven for storage, pass over that section of tons of gadgets and upgrade from the 400 thread count to 1,000 count sheets you’ll actually enjoy.

Think Ahead - But not too far

If you know you’re about to move into a new home take into consideration what you’ll need to get settled in. Many couples make the move from apartments to homes soon after tying the knot, which means more space to enjoy, but also more rooms to furnish.

Don’t be afraid to add furniture, decor or anything you’ll need for the house and want to build your home around. Guests are happy to help you build your new life together and they’ll love seeing their contributions in your new home, not to mention be grateful for the comfy new mattress they helped purchase when they stay over in the guest room.

The one caveat to this is to not get ahead of yourself and register for things you won’t have space for or use within a few months. No one needs an entire patio set taking up space in their storage unit or family basement while you’re still house hunting with no guarantee you’ll actually have a patio.

Get Ambitious

Have you always wanted to do something as a couple? Looking to find a hobby you can enjoy together after the stress of the wedding is done? Add a fund to the registry for them!

If you’re outdoorsy and wanted to try kayaking, add some camping gear or a fund for a weekend  away spent on a river. Maybe laying in the sand isn’t your style and you want to get scuba certified on the honeymoon, it’s all possible to add to your registry; add a link to your resort’s site where your guests can check out what they’re contributing to. Wanting to learn about wine and host dinner parties, why not add a wine club membership - just think of what works for you and add it! Variety of choice and price point is good for any registry.

Again, the point is not to fill your garage with extra stuff you think you might use one day, it’s to include things you have a plan for and a schedule that can accommodate them.

Valuable Extras

Sometimes you do actually need homewares, but dealing with wedding planning stress and packed schedules means you can’t find a moment to really sit down and envision what you want. Before you head out with your scanning gun, remember to select items that are versatile. Extra linens and towels that fit both your bedroom and the guest room, throw blankets that are cozy enough for the couch but warm enough for overnight visitors are all great choices. Also, plain white serving pieces can function as chic dinner party display additions and hold your basic Wednesday night take out.

Make your registry work for your future life together, be yourselves and have fun building your home without adding clutter!

5 Wedding Place Setting Ideas for Every Style

by Kacey Bradley of the Drifter Collective

Planning the actual wedding ceremony generally pales beside the magnitude of preparing a memorable reception. After all, the ceremonial part remains set in stone depending on the religious faith or lack thereof of the intended. The reception is really where the happy couple can let their creativity take wing.

The place settings selected for the reception dinner enhance the overall theme of your wedding. They create quite the impression on your guests and bring the rest of your decor together. Here are five ideas to get your creative juices flowing and design a table layout like a pro.

1. For Lovers of Whimsy

If colorful butterflies or clever combinations of patterns matches you and your spouse-to-be's quirky sense of style, create a whimsical place setting. The sky's the limit for this type of setting, so let your imagination soar.

Consider writing handwritten place cards for a more down-to-earth appeal. Choose a color scheme that matches the bridesmaids' gowns and combine different shades and patterns of that color in your choice of plates, napkins and more. You can easily create personalized take-home party favors on the cheap using items found in many dollar stores. 

2. For Lovers of Tradition

Those opting for the classic elegance of a traditional wedding place setting do well to embrace classic black and white tones with subtle accent colors. Formal styles demand quality dinner plates, artfully folded napkins, sparkling silverware and real rose centerpieces.

Design these settings around clean lines. Many reception venues are happy to do much of the place-setting planning for you if you select this option, though they certainly welcome your input. Consider classical accents such as ice sculptures to pull together the formal theme.

3. For the Outdoorsy Type

Are you planning an outdoor wedding and reception? You'll want to create your place settings with durability in mind. Fortunately, outdoor receptions may cost you far less than other venues due to the ease of decorating.

Lace picnic tables with chains of your favorite flowers and add garlands to decorate each pavilion. Consider creating mason jar chandeliers to subtly illuminate evening receptions. Wooden plates and simple burlap-looking napkins complete the rugged outdoor theme.

4. For the Theme Wedding Set

Dreaming of a wedding straight out of the pages of your favorite novels? Make your place settings match your theme with a bit of creativity.

Those considering Star Wars-inspired weddings can incorporate futuristic elements like light-saber shaped name cards, metal or jet-black dining plates, and droid salt-and-pepper shakers. Those planning fantasy-themed nuptials, such as those set in the Seven Kingdoms of George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, can create place settings that mimic those used at the Red Wedding — only without "The Rains of Castemere" and the ensuing nastiness.

5. For the Destination Wedding

Those planning destination weddings can craft place settings in tune with the location of the event. Some destinations will suggest schemes to use, but most still allow for creativity and adding your own personal touches.

Beachside weddings match perfectly with tropical decor, from coconut-shaped tumbler glasses to palm-tree-shaped swizzle sticks. Couples choosing to get married upon a cruise ship can create place settings based upon a nautical theme. Those saying "I do" in the mountains can go with a skiing-inspired look with Sherpa-esque elements.

Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!

Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!

Tips to Stay Sane While Planning a Wedding

Tips To Stay Sane While Wedding Planning

Wedding planning can be a stressful experience, but it should be fun and memorable as well! Here are a few tips to keep in mind in the months of your planning to help keep you sane.

1. Set a budget

Before you begin planning, you have to set a realistic budget with your fiancé. This isn’t the most fun way to start the process, we know. However, it’s so important and will help make the rest of the process a breeze. First and foremost, figure out who’s contributing. It could be just you and your significant other, but maybe you’ll have the help of family too! Once you figure out just how much everyone involved is able to give, do the math and see if the budget is workable. Do this by researching vendors, estimating your guest count and deciding on what things are needs, not wants. If you still need additional help, consider applying for a personal loan for your wedding. Even if you don’t need the extra money, keeping a loan in a separate bank account makes it very easy to see where all of your spending is going. Then you can pay it off with the money you have as you go!

1. Hire a wedding planner

Photo by Brian and Jessica Photography

Having someone help you with tasks and planning will always be beneficial to stay stress-free. If your budget allows, hire a wedding planner or even a day-of coordinator. Wedding planners are there to ensure your day goes off without a hitch, so they’re the perfect people to have around if you’re trying to reduce any wedding-related stress. They will be able to get you in touch with preferred vendors, keep your planning on schedule and help you make any tough decisions. We highly recommend Danielle Pasternak. She's an expert on all the local vendors, she is lovely to work with and she stays on top of every little detail.

1. Delegate tasks

If a wedding planner is going to be a tight squeeze in your budget, then learn how to delegate tasks to others. There are so many effective ways to accomplish this! Firstly, think of any talented or craft people in your life. You may have a friend that’s an amazing home-baker or someone else who could easily tackle DIY bouquets. Think abouts friends, family and family of friends that may have awesome and useful talents!

Another way to tackle this is to simply ask for help from those around you. Your parents and soon to be in-laws will surely be eager to help, and will be especially helpful because they’ve been here before! You know your wedding party, siblings and other family members will want to help prep for the biggest day of your life too.

1. Practice self care

The most important thing to help reduce stress is self-care! Don’t let your routine fall off due to the pressure of planning. Make sure you’re still eating your best, exercising and making time for the things you love. This will help your day-to-day feel more like it usually does and not like you’re in the midst of the craziest few months of your life! If you want to strive to be very zen, then think about booking a couples massage for you and your fiancé a month or so before the wedding. Many couples wait until the honeymoon for this luxury, but by then the stress is lifted off of your shoulders, so it’s more beneficial before the wedding.

1. Take a digital detox

Once you have all of the details set in stone take a break from social media, especially Pinterest and Instagram. Scrolling through all of the wedding accounts you have followed for inspiration is great when planning! However, when you’ve made all of your decisions on florals, color scheme and design, comparison to other people and their weddings can be detrimental to your planning and stress levels. Taking a break from social media will give your mind a break it needs before the biggest day of your life!