wedding is a celebration.

  It’s a life-changing moment where two people unite in the name of love—not stress. 

Yet, the reality is startling: a whopping 94% of brides-to-be feel stressed when planning their big day, and unsurprisingly, that stress bleeds into the wedding day itself.

 Now, the good news. You’re here! You understand that the best way to eliminate stress is to be prepared. To reward your proactivity, here are 17 essential tips for a stress-free wedding day.

 Stress-Free Wedding Planning Tips:

 Planning a wedding is no small feat. It’s a whole new endeavor, and like many things that are intensive and new, if you’re not careful anxiety and worry can easily take over.

 Here’s how to handle the wedding planning phase with little to no stress at all.

 Establish a budget. Remember, your budget is not a determining factor in how incredible your wedding will be.

 2. Create a guest list. Your guest list is based on your budget and the type of wedding you plan on having.

 3. Make a timeline. Brainstorm everything you need to do, and then create a timeline. Things like food, entertainment, florals, photography, hair and makeup, putting together the wedding website…

 4. Don’t feel pressured by other people’s opinions. Trying to please everyone is just going to lead to more stress. Be firm but kind: It’s your wedding—you have every right to celebrate it exactly how you want. Don’t succumb to peer pressure, even when it’s coming from your family.

 5. Choose a theme. Picking a theme provides a template that helps with decision-making. Finding a theme you love can lead to less stress and less decision fatigue overall.

 6. Choose the venue that’s right for you. Your venue should align with the overall theme of your big day, and have most of the components necessary to carry out your vision. When searching for a venue, be prepared with a list of questions. Ask about the amenities they provide, and any other details pertinent to your celebration.

7. Don’t leave dresses and décor to the last minute. The earlier you choose your dress and begin your fittings, the better. The same goes for bridesmaid dresses. Bella Bridesmaids has a stunning collection, check them out online or visit them in person at one of their many boutique locations.

8. Delegate tasks. Just make sure you get the final say before any big decisions are made.

9. Practice and prioritize self-care. This includes checking in regularly with yourself. It involves making time to do things that you love—things that naturally boost your energy and generally make you feel good.

And finally, in the wise words of every article ever written about ways to combat stress: Don’t forget to allow plenty of time to rest.

10. Make sure your vendors know where to go and when, and what your expectations are. Make sure they get a break and have time to eat.

Tips for a Stress-Free Wedding Day:

It’s normal to feel excited, nervous, all the things as your wedding day approaches. 

Focus on self-care and prepare as best you can. Above all, don’t lose sight of the reason why you’re celebrating in the first place.

Here are some practical tips to keep in mind that help minimize stress on your wedding day.

11. Get plenty of rest the night before. Schedule a massage, take a nice warm bubble bath… pamper yourself to the max.

12. Eat the day off so you’re not light-headed during the ceremony. Aim for protein and complex carbs. Think nuts, yogurt, carrot sticks, and hummus. Just beware of garlic as you’ll be receiving congratulatory hugs from everyone.

13. Stay hydrated. Hydration is vital. If you’re sipping champagne, make a point to drink a glass of water between each top off of bubbly.

14. Make sure you appoint people to help out on the wedding day, and they’re aware of what their duties are. Your maid of honor and bridesmaids can assist with setting up, directing guests, sourcing any last-minute supplies, and generally taking care of whatever you need so you don’t feel like you’re pulled in a million directions. Just be clear on what your expectations are beforehand.

15.  Create a code word with your partner so you can signal when you need a moment alone. This is important. It’s crucial you and your partner squeeze in a few moments on your wedding day, just the two of you.

16. Put together a wedding day emergency kit. Fill it with safety pins, Advil, moleskin padding in case of blisters, or anything you think you might need.

17. Enjoy the significance of the moment. As humans, we’re wired to focus on things that go wrong—at the expense of missing out on the beautiful moments.

Keep the reason for this celebration in the forefront of your mind. If something doesn’t go exactly according to plan, who cares, right? You’re marrying your soulmate, surrounded by people you love!

What an incredible blessing. Don’t let the magnitude of the occasion be overshadowed by minute mishaps.

Conclusion:

So now you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to put it into practice. If you feel tension or stress arise, just take a deep breath and remember the extraordinary meaning—the reason you’re celebrating.