Advice: How To Be Stress-Free On Your Wedding Day
The best practices on how to be stress-free on your wedding day
If you’re reading this, you’re likely in the throes of wedding planning and realize that when your big day arrives, it will go by in what feels like a blink.
This happened to me, but I was lucky enough to have someone share a few tips beforehand…and this helped me to pause and appreciate every moment as it flew by. To help you do the same, I’m sharing what I learnt about staying present and mindful during my wedding. Here’s what you need to savor every detail!
Start your day with some alone time
Beginning your wedding day with some gentle, reflective alone time can be a great way to set a tone of mindfulness for the duration.
You can use this time to ground yourself emotionally, reflect on the day’s significance, and engage in deep breathing to calm any fluttering nerves. If you like to journal, do a bit of light exercise, or have any other personal rituals that help calm you down, take the opportunity to practice them.
Engage your senses
Throughout the day, you’ll be bombarded with beautiful sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and emotions. Don’t be afraid to let yourself enjoy them. Savor the sweet fragrance of your bouquet. Delight in the silky soft feel of your dress against your skin or the crispness of your suit. Bask in the look in your soon-to-be spouse’s eyes when they first lay eyes on you as you walk down the aisle. Stretch out those moments as long as you can!
These small details can all stay with you for the rest of your life. It takes some extra attention for them to really sink in. So, get out of your head and into your body—it’s a powerful way to stay connected to your surroundings.
Make time for your loved ones
While it isn’t always possible to give every guest your full attention, making time for the people you care about most can be a powerful antidote to stress. When the moment is right, let your guests know how happy you are to share this special day with them and allow the love you share to ground you in the present moment.
Delegate stressful tasks to others you can rely on
If there’s one thing that pulls you out of the moment, it’s stress. Of course, avoiding stress is much easier said than done, but you can drastically minimize how often it rears its head by delegating effectively and choosing the right people to handle the tasks (or other people…) causing you anxiety.
Make sure you have your go-to person, such as a best friend, bridesmaid, groomsman, sibling, or parent, whom you trust to handle any unexpected issues that come up so that you can focus all your attention on soaking up the here and now.
Pause for short, private moments with your partner
Nothing brings comfort like the grounding warmth of your partner’s touch and attention. Amid the hustle and bustle of your wedding day, schedule some mini moments to connect privately away from the crowds and music. Check in with each other, have a little cry, share a kiss. You’ll keep each other strong!
Take deep breaths
It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how powerful this small act can be. In the middle of a hectic day, pausing to take a few deep breaths will keep your nervous system soothed and help you stay clear-headed, present, and re-connected with the moment. You can even use this trick during your vows to calm your nerves and ensure you take everything in.
Book a photographer or videographer you trust
It’s important to capture special moments on your wedding day, but it shouldn’t be such a priority that it distracts you from fully immersing yourself in the actual experience.
If you’re constantly worried about getting the right angles or the best light (understandable!), it can prevent you from enjoying the precious moments unfolding before you. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution. Hire a great wedding photographer or videographer to get all the shots you want and take that weight completely off your shoulders.
Put your phone away
There’s nothing wrong with wanting your phone to be within reach during your wedding. After all, you may need it to communicate last-minute plans or delegate tasks as they arise. But giving too much energy to your device can make it much harder to stay present on such a special day.
Give your phone to a trusted member of your bridal party so that it only comes out when you really need it, if you really need it.
Hydrate and eat nourishing snacks
You never know what your appetite will be like on your wedding day. But even if you don’t feel super hungry, start your day with fruit, eggs, a smoothie, or some granola. Then, be sure to have a few snacks along the way. I also recommend foods that will keep you from bloating, too!
Drinking enough water is also crucial as it regulates your temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate, which helps your body manage its stress levels. So, keep a bottle nearby when you’re getting ready. When you’re fed and hydrated, you’ll feel energized and engaged, making it easier to be fully present at all times.
Let go of the need for perfection
Staying present means letting go of the weight of the past and the worry about what’s to come. Something goes wrong at every wedding, and at mine, I spilled champagne on my dress just before our first dance. No one even noticed, but I could have let it ruin my moment if I were fixated on creating the perfect moment.
Releasing yourself from the need for perfection can create space for contentment, gratitude, and acceptance. There’s a quiet magic about letting the day unfold as it will and finding the beauty in life’s wonderful chaos.
Being Present Is The Best Wedding Gift
Considering the intense excitement on your wedding day, it’s no wonder that brides and grooms have trouble staying present throughout. I hope these tips will help you enjoy the excitement and revel in every moment. They helped me, and it’s something I’ll be grateful for forever!
