Stress-Free Wedding Bliss: Tips and Tricks for a Joyful and WOW Wedding Planning Journey
Welcome to the Wealth of WOW, where weddings are my passion and expertise. My journey began nearly 40 years ago as a floral designer, and over time, I expanded into invitations, venue décor, and comprehensive wedding planning. I’m thrilled to share my love for weddings through my blog and my upcoming book, VOWs with WOWs—an ideas book for brides-to-be covering WOW ideas for every aspect of wedding planning.
Congratulations on your engagement! The excitement of planning your dream wedding is in full swing. But let's face it: amidst all the Pinterest boards, dress fittings, and seating charts, even the calmest bride-to-be can feel a bit overwhelmed. Fear not! With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of perspective, here's how you can navigate the wedding planning process while being mindful of people's feelings and financial considerations, to ensure you keep the joy in your big day and avoid straining or ruining friendships and relationships.
No bride wants to be labeled with the dreaded "Bridezilla" tag, associated with overwhelming demands and unrealistic expectations. The truth is, wedding planning isn't always a bed of roses. When two complicated aspects—people and finances—are involved, things can get a little tricky. As you embark on this journey, keep the word "fun" in mind. You are orchestrating one of the most significant days of your life, and it should be enjoyable from start to finish. After all, the fun begins with the planning!
Here are a few ideas on how to keep things enjoyable and stress-free:
Breathe In, Bride Out
When stress starts to mount and you feel like you're drowning in a sea of Pinterest boards, dress fittings, and seating charts, it's time to take drastic measures. Picture yourself clinging to a life raft of calm amid a storm of wedding worries. Embrace your inner Zen master, channel your inner bride whisperer, and remember: you're the captain of this bridal ship, steering through stormy seas with grace and poise.
Delegate Like a Boss
Repeat after me: you are not a one-woman wedding planning machine. Enlist the help of your trusty sidekicks—whether it's your bridesmaids, family members, or even your furry friends (who doesn't love a ring-bearing pup?)—and transform them into your personal army of wedding warriors. Empower them to tackle tasks like seasoned pros, and watch as they conquer mountains of wedding logistics with the precision of a military operation. You earn bonus points if you can turn wedding planning into a team-building exercise!
Laugh it Off
Let's be real: wedding planning is bound to come with its fair share of hiccups. From wardrobe malfunctions to seating chart snafus and flower bouquet fiascos, it's easy to lose your sense of hee-haw. Instead of letting these mishaps send you into a frenzy, embrace them with a sense of humor. After all, it's the imperfect moments that make for the best stories down the road, and you are not alone; every bride has a story or three to share. You got this girl!
Indulge in some lavish self-pampering
Amidst the chaos of wedding planning, it's crucial to prioritize self-care like your sanity depends on it—because it probably does! Indulge in a bubble bath so luxurious it rivals Cleopatra's ancient rituals, treat yourself to a spa day at home so lavish it puts royalty to shame, or simply curl up with a good book and a glass of wine so exquisite it would make the self-proclaimed wine connoisseurs in your bridal party jealous. Your mental and emotional well-being are non-negotiable, so treat yourself like the Goddess of love you are-Hail to you Venus!
Practice the Art of Compromise
In the high-stakes game of wedding planning, compromise is not just a suggestion—it's a survival tactic. For the sake of matrimonial harmony, be open to negotiation and communication with your partner, even if it means sacrificing your dream of a unicorn-themed wedding cake or a Norwegian Fjord horse sleigh ride for the female bridal parties arrival with iffy weather conditions in your planned geographic location--not to mention asking all of the guests to wait outside in the cold to see your arrival. Some of our grandeur ideas need to stay in the theory phase of existence due to their practicality or feasibility of implementation.
Stress Be-Gone
When all else fails, and the stress threatens to consume you like a fire-breathing dragon, unleash your secret weapon: the power of dance. Crank up your favorite tunes, unleash your inner Beyoncé, and dance like nobody's watching (or like everybody's watching, and you're auditioning for a Broadway musical). Let the rhythm of the music wash away your worries and transport you to a realm of pure joy and uninhibited celebration. And if dancing is not your thing, or you need a more extreme intervention to bring you back, tackle an ultimate adventure on your bucket list and say goodbye to stress as you unleash your inner adrenaline junkie like never before!
Keep Your Perspective
As you navigate the sometimes-challenging moments of wedding planning, remember: that your wedding day is just one chapter in the epic saga of your love story. While it's natural to want everything to be perfect, try not to lose sight of the bigger picture. You may think it is all about you, but remember, many other people have also been looking forward to this moment for you and your fiancé all of their lives. The true magic of marriage lies not in the elaborate centerpieces or the meticulously planned seating arrangements, but in the love and laughter shared with your partner and loved ones.
I belong to over twenty bridal groups, and I often read of situations people are faced with, and if they make the wrong decision, it could be a huge detriment to their family relationships. Consider carefully, the long-term consequences of decisions that relate to family and try to find a happy middle ground whenever possible. In my career, I always taught my students to go hard on problems and soft on people. One example I can share is a bride-to-be who did not want to include her future mother-in-law in the wedding day hair and makeup session stating she wanted this experience to be special for her mom and her. However, she has failed to consider the feelings of her soon-to-be mother-in-law and the importance of sharing this special time with her as well would mean to all concerned.
As you embark on your whirlwind journey of wedding planning, remember to keep your sense of humor intact, your perspective in check, and your heart full of love. To create a low-stress wedding planning experience, mix together a generous amount of deep belly laughter, a sprinkle of humor, a touch of spontaneity, and a heap of affection for yourself and everyone concerned. Stir gently until well combined, ensuring to avoid any clumps of deep stress or tightly coiled tension. Enjoy a smooth journey without the risk of becoming a dreaded bridezilla.
Imagine yourself as the conductor of your very own symphony of wedding bliss, orchestrating each note with finesse and flair. Your journey down the aisle is not just a walk—it's a grand procession of joy, love, and memories that will last a lifetime. So, take a moment to inhale deeply, don your invisible crown, and let the enchantment of your wedding day unfold in all its WOW-worthy splendor! Cheers to your happily ever after! 🥂
I am so excited to share my book with you, Transforming Venus. This book is a toolkit and guide with a section with eight chapters on Awakening and Healing the Goddess within, four chapters on Nurturing and Loving the Goddess within, and a section with six chapters on Adventuring with the Goddess within. It is designed as a guidebook that includes exercises and ideas to further support your growth in a myriad of areas in which we Goddesses may need help! Order a copy for yourself or gift one to a loved one here.
So, my fellow Goddess, go forth with these newfound suggestions, and may your journey be adorned with the warmth of self-love and the glow of family warmth to embrace your wedding journey.
Live Bold and Shine Brightly like the Goddess you are!
Love, Positive Paula
Author/Mentor/Entrepreneur/Chief Positivity Officer (CPO) of Wealth of WOW
PS As I continue to write my VOWs with WOWs book, I would love to hear about any WOWs planned for your wedding or something you witnessed at a wedding you have attended in the past. If you have a share, please email me at paula@wealthofwow.com.
