Being a “survivor" of this phase, I hope to share some tips on how you can deal with the stress of wedding planning before it burns you out! 

How to tell if you are very stressed?

Almost everything irritates you.You cannot concentrate in the day and you have problems sleeping at night.You find yourself not laughing as often as before.  In fact, you look moody most of the time.You suffer from headaches due to lack of sleep and worrying over every single detail.

If you feel that this all sounds too familiar, its time to take control and manage the stress before it gets too overwhelming!

1)  Talk to your partner and share how you both feel about each decision made for the wedding

Do not keep your feelings bottled inside you.  If both of you are already going to get married, there should be nothing to hide from each other.  Pick a good time where both of you are in a fairly good mood to talk about the wedding issues.  Be upfront about how you feel, but at the same time look at the situation from the other’s point of view.  Prepare to have an open discussion and make decisions mutually.  The support you get from each other will help ease the tension and stress for both of you.

2)  Talk to someone else who can offer a listening ear

Sometimes, stress comes from you feeling frustrated over your partner.  It can be his nonchalant attitude towards wedding planning, or his stubborn views on certain issues.  In this case, talking to someone who is also close to you will help to make you feel better.  It could be your mum, sister, or even your close friend.  At least you feel that you are not facing these problems alone.  Talking things out has always been a proven and effective way to de-stress!

3)  Tell yourself that your wedding may not be as “perfect" as you want it to be

This is actually pretty common so do not blame yourself over something you might not have control of.  Any event involving so many people and so much logistics may have some unexpected “surprises".  Take it in stride and tell yourself that this is what makes it memorable!  Sometimes, people do not even notice any changes to your original plans, so do not worry unnecessarily. 

4)  Re-examine the tasks that you have on hand and delegate when necessary

Make a checklist of the tasks you have to complete.  Of course, major decisions like selecting of gowns, banquet venues, etc, must involve the couple personally.  Delegate other less important tasks to friends or relatives who are able to lend a helping hand.  Otherwise, consider engaging a professional wedding planner to help you negotiate and deal with the nitty gritty bits of your wedding planning, while you play a more supervisory role instead.

5)  Exercise and exercise

Has wedding planning left you with little time to exercise?  Don’t forget to incorporate that in your pre-wedding regime!  Exercise not only helps you get into better shape for your wedding, but it also helps you de-stress!  Intense exercise releases endorphins which gives you a natural “high".  You will feel happier and healthier after having a great workout.

6)  Seek some comfort in your religion if it helps

Praying or meditating may help you from the religious point of view.

7)  Schedule a “wedding planning-free" day as a couple

Go dating as a couple just like before and enjoy yourselves for the whole day.  Do not even think or talk about wedding planning at all.  Whoever breaches the topic will have to be punished! 

8)  Find something you like to do and give yourself some personal time

It can be shopping, watching a movie, playing computer games or rollerblading by the beach.  Anything that will take your mind away from those wedding planning stress!

9)  Pamper yourself with a spa treatment

A massage, body scrub or even a haircut can be so rejunevating that it takes all the stress away.  Nowadays, there are couple treatment packages too, so drag your other half there with you and help take his stress away!

Every couple will experience their own phase of wedding planning stress.  It is not possible to avoid entirely.  To “survive" this stress, the best way is to learn how to deal with it effectively and peacefully.  Arguments do not solve any problem, but rather add to unnecessary stress!  Make peace, not war, and look forward to your beautiful wedding day!