The average engagement period is between a year to a year and a half. But when you start to get into the home stretch (six month countdown) towards your wedding day, it’s very easy to let stress get to you. From personal experience I can say that you become easily irritated and your days are suddenly consumed with decisions between cymbidiums and succulents, missing RSVP cards after you’ve hounded people on your guest list repeatedly, and a general sense of IDGAF. And if you don’t know what IDGAF is…you haven’t experienced it yet…but just you wait my lovely bride…it’s coming! ~_^ So, what do you do when you’ve maxed out your emotional resources and are no longer living in “anti bridezilla” land? Well read on…

1. Take a break!

Trust me, you need a break. When you spend all day in planning mode (whether you’re planning a wedding or any kind of event) it’s very easy to get burned out. When you feel yourself slipping into “slap a bum” mode (and you know what I mean!), close your planning binder, log off of you favorite bridal planning site and email account, and go do something relaxing. Go to the gym, go get a manicure, grab drinks with your girls…do anything but stress over floral arrangements and the perfect color of teal.

2. Remember why you’re really getting married.

Yes, this is your big special day where you get to dress up and be the center of attention. But that’s not really why you’re getting married. You’re marrying the man (or woman!) – not the dress, not the venue, and definitely not the people on your RSVP list.

3. But it is still your day…

Yup, it sounds like a contradiction to point number two – but it’s the truth. When you feel like you’re trying to please your parents, the people on your guest list and everyone but you and your honey, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. When people start to get on your nerves, become Draconian and place people into two categories:

  • Must Responds: These are people in your inner wedding circle. Your fiance, parents and in laws, select members of your bridal party (i.e. maid of honor, best man, etc), vendors and wedding planner (if you have one). Whether because you value their opinion, you’ve hired them or they’re footing all or part of the bill, you can’t opt out of replying to anyone who falls into one of the above titles. So, even when you’re stressed, you might delay a response for a while, but you WILL reply.
  • Optionals: This is everyone else. Point blank period! Responses to everyone who falls into this category must always be polite (because after all, bridezillas need not apply), but when, how and if you respond to them is at your discretion. There is a caveat to this. Don’t blow people off when they’re asking for essential info regarding your wedding. For example, someone asking you for your wedding menu because they’re allergic to peanuts shouldn’t be ignored. Someone “strongly recommending” you pick their best friend to be your florist when you’ve seen their work and weren’t impressed…don’t stress it.

4. Don’t be afraid to draw a line in the sand

You reach a point where if you don’t stop jumping through hoops (either self made or those set by others), you’ll be a bridezilla walking. Not only does this make you a bear to be around (literally), but it sucks the fun out of being a bride with a sparkly ring on your finger. Hopefully, you reach this realization before someone else slaps you with this reality check. But either way, when you get to that point, make a choice. Whether it’s trying to wrangle an unruly guest list, or something that might seem as banal as choosing your wedding day beauty look…draw that line in the sand.

I literally just did this tonight (not going to fully air that dirty laundry on here!), and already I feel 1000 pounds lighter. I’m two months out from my wedding, and I’m tired of chasing people for certain details. I’m trying to make it to the aisle as stress free as possible. So I’ve made the call for them and now they have to get in where they fit in!

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