Concise planning can alleviate unnecessary anxiety and potential disasters
Dear Joy, I am a nervous wreck about my wedding. I can’t sleep and I am yelling at everyone. Do you have any suggestions on how to relax and enjoy this special time of my life? Jennifer
Dear Jennifer,
It’s okay to have a certain amount of anxiety in wedding planning, but it should not be so overwhelming that you cannot sleep. If sleepless nights continue, you need to see your physician.
If you anticipate problems and confront them head on, you can alleviate a lot of unnecessary anxiety and potential disasters. Details do need to be handled in wedding planning and some things can’t be laughed or shrugged off. Organization and proper planning can alleviate disasters and give you peace of mind. Here are some tips that you might find helpful and may enable you to sleep more soundly:
– Work out of one calendar and/or wedding planner.
– Break down the planning process into small pieces, delegate responsibilities to reliable individuals, and follow-up.
– Provide written directions and a map of both the ceremony site and reception locale to all contracted vendors, participants and guests.
– Before you have your wedding invitations printed, confirm the date and time of your event, not only with your marriage officiant at the ceremony location, but also with your reception site manager.
– Call all of your contracted vendors a month before the event to confirm your written agreements, to verify the date and time of your wedding, and to establish any specific needs.
– A bridal emergency kit can provide a little “insurance” for a last minute crisis. The well-stocked kit should include: a sewing kit with scissors and safety pins, masking tape, a stapler, sanitary supplies, breath mints, and static cling spray. Oh and don’t forget the tissues!
If you are organized, you will not be caught off guard by surprise details. The details will reveal themselves as you proceed in the planning process.
With solid decision making and realistic expectations, you can minimize potential problems and enjoy your celebration.
Dear Joy,
I am delighted my daughter is marrying a terrific guy. Unfortunately, his parent’s are really tacky and I shudder to think what they will choose to wear to the wedding.
They really don’t have a sense of style and do not appear to spend money on clothing. How can I spruce them up without offending them? Joan
Dear Joan,
I think it is good that you do not want to offend them, so I suggest you do not say anything about their “tackiness” to your future son-in-law, or to anyone else.
I think it is important for them to feel welcome and not censured for their lack of style.
Suggest that both fathers dress in the same tuxedo style as the wedding party. Once you choose your dress or gown, have the bride mention to her future-mother-in-law the length of skirt and color you chose.
Your daughter might want to accompany her future mother-in-law on a dress shopping expedition.
Do not go with them.
A nice idea…
For female guests and wedding participants, consider placing a basket of personal care items in the ladies’ restroom at your wedding reception.
Deodorant, sanitary supplies, mouthwash, dental floss, and a sewing kit, can help alleviate a wardrobe malfunction, or a personal hygiene embarrassment.
K. Joy Schaeffer is a bridal consultant. You may e-mail her your bridal questions at bridejoy@yahoo.com.