| Planning a wedding can be one of the most | | | | getting an extra part-time job, having a garage |
| stressful times in any bride's life�but it | | | | sale, utilizing ebay for your spring cleaning, or doing |
| doesn't have to be. With a few tips on how to | | | | something creative for some extra money. This |
| decrease your stress you can make planning your | | | | will help cushion the wedding fund and decrease |
| wedding a joy. Remember you can only control | | | | your stress level when picking out things you |
| what you can control. If you recognize this one | | | | really want that may be more than you originally |
| fact then these tips will be easy to follow and will | | | | budgeted for. |
| prevent the development of a bridezilla. | | | | 6. Look for package deals. Many wedding sites |
| 1. The first most important tip is to learn to pick | | | | now offer package deals that include the food |
| your battles. You will have to determine what | | | | and drinks, flowers, reception site, decorations, |
| elements are important to you regarding the | | | | and a wedding coordinator for use at the |
| wedding and go ahead and be firm on your | | | | rehearsal. Even though this is a package deal |
| preferences with these; however, you can't | | | | there is often the ability to customize based on |
| decided that every little detail is the most | | | | your preference for services they offer. This |
| important element if you want to decrease your | | | | option can decrease planning time and therefore |
| stress level. If you are passionate about the | | | | stress, but can be more expensive. |
| wedding and honeymoon locations make those | | | | 7. Opt for a destination wedding. Often destination |
| happen, but maybe compromise in other areas | | | | weddings offer package deals as well and the |
| such as the flowers or invitations. | | | | planning on the bride and groom's part is very |
| 2. Give yourself plenty of time to plan. Trying to | | | | minimal. |
| plan an elaborate wedding in six weeks is not only | | | | 8. Remember there is no such thing as perfect. I |
| a crazy idea but stress provoking. Again, pick | | | | once heard someone say that what separates |
| your battle. Which is more important�the | | | | the millionaires from the non-millionaires is that |
| elaborate wedding or getting married in six weeks. | | | | they anticipate things will go wrong. Because they |
| Based on which you choose, plan accordingly with | | | | already know that on occasion things may not go |
| either more time or a simpler wedding. | | | | exactly as planned they don't get discouraged or |
| 3. Enlist help from others. This one is particularly | | | | give up when they do, thus leading them to |
| difficult for the control freak bride. We feel like | | | | become millionaires. If more things go right then |
| we know exactly what we want and that no one | | | | go wrong it is technically a winning |
| on the face of the earth can do it like we can so | | | | situation�at least when it comes to |
| we may as well do it ourselves. Wrong! Did you | | | | money. |
| know that one of the consistent characteristics | | | | 9. If you absolutely cannot take the stress and |
| among top leaders in the world is that they | | | | you really just can't manage the previous tips |
| surround themselves with strong people to help | | | | then consider eloping. There is very little planning |
| them? You can do that as well. Just pick people | | | | involved in eloping if you go with a very simple |
| you know you can trust and that will accept | | | | arrangement. |
| guidance from you. Notice I said guidance and not | | | | 10. Lastly�remember to stop often and |
| bossing. Make your desires known and then let | | | | look at the big picture. The entire reason you are |
| them do their work. If you try to control them, | | | | even planning a wedding is to join two lives |
| then you are not only trying to plan a wedding | | | | together forever. You plan to marry your best |
| but also trying to manage a group of | | | | friend, your sole mate, your love. |
| people�stressful! | | | | No matter what things possibly go wrong, at the |
| 4. Always have back up plans. When you sit down | | | | end of the wedding you will be married. That is |
| to plan out your ideal wedding in your head, think | | | | the ultimate goal and as long as you keep your |
| of secondary choices for things as often as you | | | | eyes on the prize everything else is just details. |
| can. That way if you get a phone call that the | | | | And for those of you that require additional |
| invitations you want are on back order and won't | | | | convincing that you should not allow yourself to |
| be ready in time it doesn't faze you. You go to | | | | get stressed out while planning your magical day |
| plan B and move on to the next item on the | | | | here is one last attempt. When your stress levels |
| to-do list. | | | | increase you release stress hormones. These |
| 5. Save money for the wedding. This one is a bit | | | | hormones can cause you to feel less then your |
| difficult to do because many of us don't start | | | | best, decrease your immune system's ability to |
| saving for our wedding long before the | | | | fight off illness, and worst of all can show in your |
| engagement. If you have sufficient funds for the | | | | face as a less than perfect complexion. That, my |
| wedding you want it can really decrease your | | | | friend, should be enough because I know every |
| stress. If you don't have the funds already saved | | | | bride wants to look like a princess on her wedding |
| and the wedding date has been set, consider | | | | day. |