| Most brides seek out wedding planning advice, | | | | 3. Cut the Groom Some Slack. About 85% of grooms |
| however few ask the simple question, how can I have | | | | find wedding planning as exciting as brides find Monday |
| a stress-free wedding? | | | | night football. So when you present him with two |
| It doesn't matter how beautiful your dress is or how | | | | possible color schemes and he tells you he's happy |
| elegant the venue if you haven't enjoyed the process | | | | with whatever makes you happy, he really is. It's not |
| or aren't able to enjoy your wedding day. The following | | | | that he doesn't care about you, he does. He really is |
| are a few tips for reducing stress as you plan and | | | | happy seeing you happy. So make choices that make |
| celebrate your wedding. | | | | you happy and be grateful for having a man who |
| 1. Have the Right Attitude. Happy people have happy | | | | loves you and is going to spend the rest of your life |
| weddings. Stressed out people have stressful | | | | finding happiness in your happiness. |
| weddings. It's important to see the wedding in context | | | | 4. Don't Second Guess Yourself. There is a saying, |
| of your life. This will be a fabulous, romantic, | | | | 'first thought best thought.' If you make a decision, be |
| extraordinary wedding as long as that's how you view | | | | happy with it and move on to the next one. Trust your |
| it. Your feelings are transferred to your family, friends | | | | first instinct, whether that has to do with color |
| and guests. Getting frustrated by every little detail is | | | | schemes, dress, hair and make-up or venue. |
| going to leave you feeling frustrated with the whole | | | | Second-guessing is only going to waste your time and |
| planning process and when your wedding day comes, | | | | stress you out. You will enjoy the process a lot more if |
| you will be so focused on everything that's not perfect, | | | | you stay confident with your first decision and move |
| you won't be able to enjoy all the beautiful, perfect | | | | on. |
| moments that are happening around you. Don't sweat | | | | 5. Setting the Tone for the Family. Families are an |
| the little stuff. Stay focused on taking care of yourself | | | | important part of any wedding celebration. It is a time |
| so you can enjoy the big day. | | | | for the bride to forget about past differences and be |
| 2. Decide on a Budget. Have a get-together with | | | | gracious, loving, thoughtful and caring. Choose to be the |
| everyone involved in deciding your budget. This may | | | | mature one and people's responses will mirror yours. |
| include you and your fiancé, or the bride's parents or | | | | Even if they don't you can be satisfied knowing you |
| both sets of parents. Do some research before the | | | | took the high road. This may mean offering a hug to |
| meeting of what the ballpark range might be for the | | | | your father's second wife who is two years younger |
| budget, then discuss. Once the budget is set, even if it | | | | than you and complimenting her dress. The more love |
| is lower than you had hoped for, embrace your | | | | you give, the more you will receive. |
| budget. Know that is what you have to work with and | | | | Your wedding day will come and go whether you |
| go forward making your decisions based on that. This | | | | follow this advice or not. However, to get the most out |
| may push you to find new and unique venues or party | | | | of your experience and your special day, let yourself |
| favors you wouldn't otherwise have found. | | | | be happy, enjoy it, and forget about stress. |