10 ways to avoid stress the week of your wedding
1. Allow plenty of time to plan the wedding. Planning your wedding is fun! We suggest at least six months. The more time you have, the more you can research your wedding vendors and play around with colours and design ideas. Should you need to rush the wedding plans in less than six months, stay focused and try to be decisive.
2. Maintain a good relationship with your wedding co-ordinator by keeping them “in the loop”. The more you communicate with this person and update them with your ideas on the timings, venue layout, decorations, design, etc., the less you will have to cram in the weeks running up to the wedding. Have face to face meetings every couple of months to go over details.
3. Two months in advance of the wedding, write a list of what you need to bring on your honeymoon. Packing at the last minute is extremely stressful and often results in items being left behind. It will only take 30-60 minutes and you can leave the list in your wedding file or your suitcase so it’s a breeze when it comes time to pack. Don’t forget sunscreen, camera, passport, and medicine. If you will be changing your name you may need your marriage license on hand.
4. If you’re purchasing gifts for your parents and attendants, do this two to three months in advance of the big day. I know this doesn’t sound like a big stress reliever but it is! Shopping for someone can take an entire day and in the run up to the wedding, brides and grooms are pushed for time with the deadlines of table plans and dietary requirements.
5. If you’re doing welcome bags for your guests, write the welcome letter well in advance of the arrival of your guests. Last minute tasks lead to stress. Try doing this three to four months in advance so you have time to search for activities, local events, and restaurants and make it extra juicy and fun for your guests. This will keep them occupied while your being pampered before the big day!
6. Collect guests’ dietary requirements as soon as they RSVP to your wedding. Chasing them for food restrictions the week before the wedding can be extremely time consuming. Keep a spreadsheet and do this as soon as invites come in.
