| couples would like to plan their own wedding but are | | | | Fourth, is to find other people who can help you. There |
| hesitant being afraid of the stress involved. Planning | | | | are many tasks involved in planning a wedding and |
| your wedding can be less stressful than what you | | | | many times it can be overwhelming. Finding others to |
| expect and you can actually have fun during the | | | | share the tasks can offer great reassurance, if you |
| process. There are some key factors that will | | | | choose wisely. Remember, the idea is to reduce |
| significantly help you to reduce the overall stress. | | | | stress, not to increase it. Choose people that make |
| These are having the right attitude, starting your | | | | you feel comfortable, are not domineering, and |
| planning as early as possible, working with a budget, | | | | won’t trigger conflict. Also, always keep in mind |
| sharing your tasks with others, finding good service | | | | that it is your wedding and you do not want others |
| providers and suppliers, and exercising daily. | | | | deciding for you. Choose a close family member or |
| First of all, you must have the right attitude. After all a | | | | best friend. I personally chose my mother and sister to |
| wedding is a very happy occasion. Therefore, planning | | | | help me with the planning. |
| the wedding should be equally fun. You should be | | | | Fifth, shop around for good service providers and |
| convinced of this before taking on the responsibility. | | | | suppliers. Look for quality as well as price. Also, look |
| Wedding planning will allow you to be exposed to | | | | for good service and the willingness to work with you. |
| beautiful attire & accessories, visit beautiful | | | | There are many out there. Some can be excellent and |
| venues, and enable you to taste delicious foods and | | | | others terrible. I personally had a very bad experience |
| cakes. Also, it will become one of those memorable | | | | with our caterers. Many of the people attending my |
| occasions you will talk and laugh about for years to | | | | reception got sick after the party. Luckily, other factors |
| come. | | | | in my wedding made my party a success. Many times, |
| Second, you should start your planning as early as | | | | service providers can make or break your wedding. |
| possible. Once he has popped the question and you | | | | For service providers, ask for references and/or ask |
| have said "yes", you can begin the first stages. You | | | | to see them at work. If you attend any weddings or |
| can start gathering ideas by attending local bridal | | | | special occasions, remember to ask the names of the |
| shows, purchasing bridal magazines, talking over | | | | providers if you were satisfied with their services. This |
| experiences with married friends, shopping around, and | | | | hand on experience is the best way of knowing. |
| surfing the internet. Starting early will allow you to be | | | | Regarding suppliers, purchase samples of wedding |
| better organized, explore more possibilities, go over | | | | items first. If you are happy with the quality and service |
| decisions more thoroughly, and best of all, leave you | | | | provided, then go ahead and purchase the rest of the |
| some time to relax the days before your wedding. | | | | items. |
| Third, you and your fiancé should sit down and | | | | Finally, remember to include exercise in your daily |
| set up a budget. You must estimate how much total | | | | routine. After a day filled with tasks and decisions you |
| available money you will have to spend on your | | | | deserve a little time to yourself. Set aside at least half |
| wedding. This includes your own as well as any | | | | an hour to do an activity that best suits you. This can |
| money others will contribute. Later you should design a | | | | involve going to the local gym, swimming, sports, yoga |
| worksheet and allocate the total amount among the | | | | or even walking around your neighborhood. This will |
| different items you intend to spend on. The more | | | | help relieve much stress and help you feeling fit, trim, |
| detailed the budget, the better. You should not spend | | | | and beautiful. |
| more than what you have allocated for each | | | | I am sure that these six suggestions will greatly help in |
| category. At first, this will seem like more work, but | | | | reducing the stress and set you on your way to happy |
| later sticking to the budget will help greatly reduce your | | | | planning. |
| stress and save you much needed money. | | | | |