5 Ways to Beat Pre-Wedding Anxiety and Look After Your Mental Health

 

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Contributed by Sophia Smith

Pre-wedding jitters are unavoidable and mostly wonderful, but a bucket-full of butterflies in your belly cannot really be easy to handle when you have a guest list to manage, a venue to find, and the ideal gown to choose. The endless list of chores and responsibilities makes it impossible to truly relax. Unless you prepare a stress-detox plan, that is!

All brides and grooms-to-be need to do everything in their power to make their special day joyful, and the days that come before it. So, to prevent your wedding butterflies from turning into full-scale anxiety, you need to focus on strategies that will help you minimize stress, from regular workouts to improving your nutrition: here are a few time-tested additions to your own stress-beating routine!


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Try mindfulness meditation

Every bride and groom need a way to slow down once in a while, and prevent getting worked up over another wedding planning problem that is bound to come up. Knowing that the next few months will be hectic, you can prepare your mind for the rush by teaching yourself to slow down and breathe with the help of meditation.

To give your meditative practice a boost in case you’re not new to the concept, you can get a comfortable meditation cushion to truly build the right setting for your relaxing sessions. Alternatively, you can start a meditation journal to slowly transform it into a habit and use it to stay mentally healthy and strong well after the wedding.

Amp up your exercise routine

All the chores on your to-do list for the wedding are likely going to keep you occupied and force you to spend your energy on prepping for that beautiful day. However, that is no excuse to avoid the gym or any other form of workout for that matter – this is the perfect way to keep stress at bay, to stay healthy both physically and mentally, and to improve your sleep quality (and we’ll get to the importance of that habit shortly).

So, when you’re feeling low, you can use a high stim preworkout supplement based on ingredients such as caffeine or TeaCrine, known to elevate your energy and keep your performance spot-on. Add to that, you’ll spread out your energy throughout the day more evenly, and your body will recover more easily for the next training session. That’s a single alteration in your nutrition to stay consistent with your workouts and ultimately stay resilient to stress.

So much more than beauty sleep

Everyone has a different self-care routine when you’re getting ready for your wedding day, but one key ingredient for every bride and groom should be sleep. Without it, you risk overflowing your body with cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, which means you’ll be more prone to cravings, poor eating choices, and less training, all of which will play havoc on how you feel and how you look.

Instead, craft your own eight-hour sleep schedule and rev it up with the help of a powerful night-time facial mask to truly pamper your pores. Not only will the down-time be essential for your skin health and that bridal glow, but you’ll also notice a great difference in your mood, as your stress levels will float away.

Take active breaks during the day

When you work for hours on end, especially sitting at a computer, it can get difficult to find the strength to move on to another activity that demands zeal and vigor. This is a perfect opportunity to elevate your heart rate, get your muscles to work through the stress, and partake in a mild or moderate activity such as a walk in the park instead of a sedentary lunch break.

Light stretching exercises are also great between your work sessions to help you reduce muscle tension and keep your body in top shape for the wedding. Just make sure you take regular breaks and choose the right movements to get your whole body moving, and your mind will follow!

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Dance it out

Let’s face it, on some days, you’ll have so much energy that you won’t be able to contain yourself, but on others, you’ll wonder how you can get up in the morning at all. It’s on those low days that you find yourself struggling to stick with your workout routine or your daily schedule. To help elevate your mood and keep your energy up, you can actually combine two activities: listing to your favorite tunes at home, and dancing to your favorite music!

Music is an incredibly powerful healing tool, it helps even people with chronic pain issues and severe anxiety and depression, which means you can use it as an ally to ward of pre-wedding anxiety with ease. Plus, you can burn more calories in the process.

Stress might be a natural part of the wedding planning process, and the sheer excitement might be more than enough to keep your mind constantly buzzing, but you can definitely prep yourself better and unwind regularly. Add more physical activity into your day, balance your energy, get enough rest, and the days before the wedding will be brimming with joy, sans the stress!

Things You Can Totally Skip to Simplify Your Wedding Planning



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By Maggie Holmes

If you’re in the process of planning your big day, it might seem like your list of tasks will simply never end. It is indeed a huge responsibility and you probably want everything to be perfect, but you have to accept that some things might not go according to plan – it’s only natural. There are issues every bride is bound to face, so you want to minimize creating even more issues if you don’t have to. Simplifying your wedding planning is a great way to cut yourself some slack and save some money along the way. Here are some of the things you can totally skip.

No need for paper invites

We live in a digital age, so unless you are a huge fan of stationery, you can skip the paper invites. Not only is it expensive to have paper invites made, especially if you’re having them hand-made, but getting them to their recipients is also more complicated and time-consuming than if you just had to send an e-mail. Your invites can still look nice and sending them out will be a breeze!

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You won’t have time for DIY

What you might not realize in the beginning phases of your wedding planning is that very soon, you will have too much on your plate. This is why this might not be the best time to try and DIY things like decorations for your wedding. You can save yourself from a lot of headaches if you simply accept this and go for pre-made.

Alternatives to a rehearsal dinner

Nowadays, traditional sit-down rehearsal dinners are not mandatory. No one will stone you if you completely skip them, but you can also add your own twist and substitute it with something else you feel more comfortable with. Look up some alternatives and you might get inspired, not to mention save some money.

Skip the intricate makeup

Of course, you want to look your best on your wedding day, but you also still want to look like yourself. No one is saying you should skip makeup altogether, but you certainly want to skip extravagant looks and too much maquillage on your face. Instead, it’s a great idea to go for simple, natural looks that enhance your beauty and won’t take hours to recreate. Get some temporary eyelash extensions for a natural-looking gaze, and pamper your skin with facials instead of slathering on a ton of foundation on the big day.

Forget about dance lessons

Amidst all the wedding planning, there is a high chance that you will barely have any time to squeeze something like dance lessons in your schedule. Unless the dance is a hugely important part of the wedding to you personally, don’t feel pressured to have a pre-made choreography and get every step right. The beauty is in the spontaneity of the dance, so you might as well skip dance lessons.

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Favors are not mandatory

Another thing that is completely up to you is wedding favors. Sure, they are a nice gesture, but getting caught up in the details is unnecessary, as guests will probably appreciate anything, even if it’s not the fanciest. In fact, even if you skip wedding favors, chances are that everyone will be preoccupied with something else and won’t even notice. The same goes for welcome bags, unless you are to have a destination wedding.

Cut back on pinning

Finally, you probably can’t get enough of all the eye-candy on Pinterest. However, overdoing it is not a good idea. Once you’ve got a general idea of what you want your decor to look like, it’s a great idea to skip frequenting Pinterest every spare minute you have, as it will just make everything more confusing.

Wedding planning is crazy as it is, there’s no need to get caught up in details that won’t matter as much in the end. Instead, try to take some time to relax and simplify your wedding planning process a bit to make it more manageable. In the end, all that matters is that the two of you and your guests have fun.

Author Bio:

Maggie Holmes is a passionate blogger keen on writing about beauty and fashion. Her exclusive 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.

You can follow her on Twitter at 

How to Stay on Budget When You're invited to Several Weddings

It almost becomes a rite of passage that when you reach a certain age, those wedding invitations don’t seem to stop rolling in. Some years it will feel like a wedding rush, your calendar is quiet for the most part, then all of a sudden there’s six different invitations in the mail. One wedding can be costly enough, but those years where you’re riding a wedding wave can be even tougher to manage. Should you get the special honor of being in any of these weddings, your demand for time and costs just went up even more. Get ahead on planning and try out these tips to help make the next wedding season an enjoyable one!

Jump on Registries

Once you get invited to a wedding be sure to keep tabs on their wedding website. Many couples can now consolidate a lot of information on their website which would include links to their registries. You’ll want to be one of the first people to shop for them so that you have the flexibility of options. If you wait too long you might get stuck sifting through gifts that were out of your price range. While you always have the option of writing a check, you might feel a lot of pressure to give more money than you would’ve spent on a gift. 

Photo by jordi pujadas on Unsplash

Photo by jordi pujadas on Unsplash

Closet Cheat Codes

Depending on your current rotation of clothes you own, you might feel the need to spruce up your wardrobe before wedding season hits. Maybe you want more comfortable shoes that are dressier than what you wear in your day to day. Or, perhaps you feel you are missing more formal styles appropriate for wedding events. Instead of having to splurge on clothes, you could try getting a group of girls together to do a clothing swap: wedding edition. This way you can extend your selection into that of your gal pals. If sizing or style issues arise, consider thrifting on an online consignment store. You could be the breezy, chic girl who shows up dressed to the nines, topped with a radiant smile all because you stocked up on discounted Free People styles before the start of wedding season. 

Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash

Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash

Room Rates

No matter where you are headed for the weddings, room rates rise and fall due to a number of factors that are out of your control. If you find that you’ll be having to book quite a few rooms during wedding season, you might want to think about joining a rewards or loyalty program. If you register with a booking agency, your points can be used toward many different chains whereas, if you sign up for a loyalty program you will be restricted to finding that specific hotel wherever you are traveling to. But, maybe by the end of wedding season, your last room will be free! When possible, utilize the discounted room block rates that couples will set up for their guests. If the wedding is within driving distance, you could ultimately avoid the costs of the room altogether.

Photo by Esther Driehaus on Unsplash

Photo by Esther Driehaus on Unsplash

Combining Forces

Hopefully, you can find others to endure the busy season with. If money starts to get especially tight, take advantage of the fact that others may be feeling just like you. Offer to share rides when possible and split the costs of gas. If you and a friend are both traveling to a wedding, ask them if they’d like to share a hotel room and divide the cost in half. Better yet, if you know quite a few people who all would be interested in lowering the costs of an overnight, consider finding a rated rental house near the venue.

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

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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

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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

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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


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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:

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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.

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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.

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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!