Overwhelmed Bride to Be

Weddings are an exciting time for everyone associated with the couple. The excitement becomes contagious throughout the two families. A bride and groom can feel trampled on rather than helped with all the details.

All the details are overwhelming and the input from so many well meaning relatives gets to be even more stressful. What can you do with all the good intentioned relatives and relatives to be?

How do you handle both families without lashing out at each other?

Making a list of things that need to be done is a good start.  Ask the ones who really want to help make your day special what they would like to do from the list to help you out. Put their name next to the task they are willing to help you with.  Check on them to make sure they haven’t forgotten that they have committed to do a particular task.

Here are some suggestions that you can use for your helpers;

• A seat placement chart for reception
• Seat placement cards for reception
• Filling out invitations for wedding
• Making a address book with all the addresses from each family
• Make an evening out of it… have a group help make party favors for the wedding
• Making center pieces for reception
• Hot gluing flowers on combs for the girls in the wedding
• Filling out the envelopes for the thank you cards
• Picking up flowers for the wedding
• Picking up balloons or balloon arch
• Passing out balloons or bubbles following ceremony
• Making extra bakery for the reception
• Making a sign with streamers for the bridal car
• Picking up cake or being there to make sure it is delivered and set up correctly
• Setting the party favors at the tables before reception begins
• Setting the center pieces on the tables before the receptions begins
• Making a punch before reception (one with alcohol and one without alcohol) Place a card before each one labeling them
• Traying the extra bakery and setting it out before reception
• Placing disposable cameras on the tables before reception
• Picking up disposable cameras after reception
• Take the left over alcohol to your home or a designated home
• Bring the leftover food and bakery to designated home or homes
• Bring the left over center pieces home
• Take left over center pieces to an area nursing home or church or charity
• Make sure all the tuxes are returned and return the bride grooms tux
• Return anything that needs to go back to the bakery (fountain pieces ect.)

Listing what needs to be done can put your nerves to rest.  Use the help of all those around you that want to support you and give you their help. Everyone loves a wedding!  Helping makes them apart of this special moment in the couple’s lives. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?  Rather than drowning in all the helpfulness…direct it so that it is a positive step in your planning rather than a stumbling block for you to overcome.

Now that you have your helpers on the job and on task make time for yourself. Eat healthy and get enough rest. Don’t burn the candle at both ends. Take time to give yourself attention. Make a date to get to the gym and firm up for the big day. Take brisk walks out side to get the cardio and fresh air to help you expel some of the nervous energy. If you enjoy message or meditation do it. Make an appointment for that message or enlist the help of the hubby-to-be to give you a message. Don’t let all the details and stress take away any of the joy you are entitled to during this tremendously special life changing experience.

Robin Oliverio