Bridal Therapy Tips

I wanted to give you all a few tips today to survive your wedding.

You can take the same parent concept and apply it to your groom’s parents. Inviting your soon to be in-laws in on the action, is a great relationship builder. 

Occasionally in-laws and parents show no interest in the planning. Ask them if they would like to know the skinny or be involved in a certain aspect. Pick your aspect carefully; make a suggestion like the rehearsal dinner. Do not leave them an open-ended invite to the planning process.

Small alterations by a few vendors can play a big part in the emotions of key guests and make your wedding be a little less stressful.

Take a few spa days before the wedding and during the planning process especially when things begin to feel overwhelming.

Delegation is Key to Bridal Sanity

While I am the last to admit it, no person is perfect. I know it is a huge blow to some of us, me included. That being said anyone involved in the planning process is going to have to let go of some control. No one can be everywhere all the time. For some people it is easy, for others…it is a nightmare. Make some lists before you even pick up the phone. Sit down with some close friends and family for help with this one. Make lists of what your planning strengths and weaknesses. Ask your friends what they think about your lists and be prepared to cross some things off and put them on the other list. Don’t concentrate on which one is longer. This process is going to help you decide what you need to delegate for your own bridal sanity. 

During the planning process a bride is bound to have friends and family who want to get involved. Some of them will feel entitled especially if they are financially bound to the event. Today there are no rules to a wedding, especially for young couples who are getting help from both sets of parents. I have noticed so many different funding situations that have emotional impact over the years. I have brides that pay for their entire wedding themselves, others who have some parental help from both sides, some have extended family financial funding and more along the more traditional line of the brides family funding the wedding. With financial funding come opinions and lots of suggestions. Suggestions can be a good thing, remember most of these people have been through this before and with experience comes wisdom. Most likely their style is not your style and addressing that in a polite response so not to offend anyone is tough-especially if it is your mother.

Budget Tips that won't drive you crazy

The budget is a stressful issue with much controversy. It requires a lot of give and take on the sides of everyone involved. The last thing that anyone should want to do is fight over the money so be prepared to compromise and adjust your expectations.

Tips for you Budget
By having your budget on a spread sheet you have the ability to email it your blackberry for instant changes or important consults with the groom.
everyone involved in the budget can address it at the same time from different time zones.
You can see how tweaking it in different areas affects your bottom line instantly.
You are completely organized and this will actually save you money or help you find extra money for add ons that you really want.

-some brides run away from their budget especially if they are not dishing out the cash. Always know what you are spending, and be aware. The last thing that you want to do two weeks before the wedding is realize that you can not pay for what you expected and some venders may not be able to let you re-negotiate your deal.