So He Asked And You Said YES!

Whether it was a quiet affair over dinner, or a dramatic event in a hot air balloon, he just popped the question and now you two are happily engaged. You’ve called your mum and squealed, you’ve posted a picture of that sparkling ring on social media and now everyone in your world knows the happy news.

Congratulations! This is undeniably an incredibly exciting time full of highs and heightened emotions. If they’re honest, most women have thought about whether or not they will get married for years before it happens, so there’s every reason to ride the roller coaster of joy that you’re experiencing now.

A Word From A Wedding Planner With Hundreds Of Weddings Under Her Belt

But here’s a word of friendly advice from a humble wedding planner who’s seen hundreds of brides go through what you are feeling now. As the days go on, don’t be surprised if you experience a slight emotional crash. It happens to most people and there are some easy, simple ways to go about making sure you don’t succumb to the pressure!

Right now you may be asking yourself why and even how ‘Brides-to-be’ can crash from a happiness this intense, but trust me, the initial excitement will inevitably be tempered by a head that’s running a million miles an hour with questions. ‘Oh crikey’, that’s right, you have a huge wedding to plan and there are SO many things to do, it’s going to be hard to know where to begin.

There's No Need To Fly To Vegas Just Yet!

As a Bride and Groom-to-be, the tendency to become woefully overwhelmed is completely natural. Almost every engaged couple will experience stressful moments and feel like they’re about to blow. But don’t cancel the whole thing and fly to Las Vegas just yet, I’m here to give you some insider tips on how to stay calm, cool & collected during this hectic period. Read on to find out how to avoid turning into the dreaded bridezilla character you’ve likely seen on reality TV. If the nerves are already hitting you hard, then sign up for a no-obligation chat with one of the Botanica team here. We’ll call at a time that suits to talk through any worries you may have.

1. Make sure you’re receiving proper nutrition

Ok, it sounds simple and I know I’m not your mother, but eating well is incredibly important during this period, and not only for getting into shape. You may be up late, running around during the day and forgetting to nourish yourself properly. Having a nutritious breakfast, lunch, dinner AND some healthy snacks is going to keep your body functioning properly and your energy levels high.

If you want to avoid turning into a cranky, tired aggravated mess, make sure you’re feeding yourself regularly throughout the day. Skip the energy drinks and don’t substitute breakfast with an espresso – you’ll be absolutely burnt out by midday! I suggest you eat lots of fresh vegetables, lean proteins and for snacks, fruits and good fats like nuts will do the trick. Don’t forget to drink lots of water too. Your glowing skin will thank you for it too when it comes time for photos!

1. Lose weight the right way

Everyone wants to look fabulous on their special day. But if you’re trying to lose some weight before your wedding – it’s a good idea to start now. Don’t try to do a crash course 2-3 months before, as these usually result in large amounts of weight gain right after and are generally not healthy. If you don’t work out already, start a light exercise regime 3-5 times a week, with a mixture of weight training and cardiovascular training.

Combine this with a good diet and you’ll find you’ve added some lean muscle and resolved any flabby problem areas. Start early so your arms will be looking toned and svelte in that gorgeous strapless number. If you don’t enjoy going to the gym, try picking up a high intensity team sport or something like boxing – it torches calories, it’s lots of fun and it can help you get rid of any extra stress.

1. Make sure you’re catching enough shut-eye

There’s nothing that will turn you into a nightmare Bride faster than skimping on hours of sleep. Even if it’s only an hour or two, It’s likely to get worse and worse as the days go by and your sleep debt builds up. Yep, that’s a thing. SLEPT DEBT! The more hours of sleep you miss, the more sleep debt you collect and the more detriment it has on your mind and body. Everyone’s different, but some general guidelines suggest that adults should be enjoying 7-8 hours of generally uninterrupted sleep at night.

If you’re having trouble getting to bed for whatever reason - it could be wedding nerves, stress, general anxiety about the special day – you need to address the issue head on. Daily exercise and a solid routine will help you get into “sleep mode” once the evening hits. Around 3 hours from bed, you should turn of all electronics – this means no late night researching flower arrangements!

1. Set your date now!

Setting a date is one of the first steps in planning the wedding. But trust me, setting a date early will help ease your anxiety and give you a realistic goal to work towards, especially if you’re trying to get into better shape or save up some extra money!

Once you’ve set your date, you can start thinking more clearly and effectively about what your next steps should be. Whether it’s to look around and find yourself a wedding planner and venue like The Royal Pita Maha or and just let your family know not to book any trips during that time.

1. Start researching early

If you start researching early, you’ll probably avoid a lot of the rushed stress associated with planning a wedding. Researching early will give you all the time you need to contact the relevant vendors to find out about availability, pricing and much more.

If you’re the well-organised, brave type who is planning a wedding alone than you’ll be able to find the best value vendors and keep your options open in case of any unforeseen letdowns. We guarantee you’ll be sleeping better at night knowing that you’ve got ample time for everything and you haven’t missed a beat.

1. Get help!

There are numerous wedding planning services out there that offer their wealth of experience and expertise to beginner brides and we’re one of them! Trust us, you don’t have to stress about this alone, the right planner will be there to help you every step of the way.

They’ve (hopefully) been through the whole shebang countless times, and know exactly how to get it all done seamlessly, but if you don’t feel confident about their services DON’T trust them. Using a wedding planner is supposed to reduce stress not add it to the pile!

1. Communicate with your partner

Many grooms leave the details of the wedding up to the Bride, but it’s best to consult with your partner about all decisions. Sharing your woes will also help to lighten the load of the whole affair. Having a second opinion may also make the decision-making process much easier!

Ensure that you communicate with your loved one at all times and make sure that they’re on board with your choices. They may have their own ideas or image of what they want the special day to look like, and it’s important that both of you are on the same page.

1. Talk to your parents now!

Make sure both your parents are on board and talk to them regularly. This is especially important if they’ll be providing financial support. Invite them to view vendors and have them involved often. They’ll appreciate being a part of this wonderful event and your mother (and mother in law to be) will be thrilled able to offer their wisdom to you.

1. Make it fun!

Scheduling viewings or doing general shopping with friends can make the whole experience incredibly fun. Try enjoying a spot of brunch before going off to find your wedding dress. Your girlfriends will enjoy giving you their opinions on everything and the whole affair will be much more enjoyable. Your girlfriends will be their for you whether you need to vent or share your excitement with them. They’ll be there to support you and share in your delight.

1. Relax and enjoy the ride

If you’ve already taken most of these tips on board, there’s not much you can do but relax and enjoy the ride. It’s definitely going to be hectic, but it’s also incredibly exciting to be putting this special event together with your loved ones. You should be relaxed enough to relish (instead of dread) the time you’ll spend picking out the flowers, the menu, the music and especially your dress!

Botanica Weddings understands how overwhelming wedding planning can be! This is why they have a team of planners like me on board! Ultimately you should know that you don’t have to go through this alone. We know a lot about wedding planning and are here to ensure that every step of the way is enjoyable – like it should be. If you need an extra hand, don’t hesitate to contact us for a no obligation chat. We’d love to help you create a day of romance and magic that you’ll never forget!