Sooo, if you're a keen and observant reader you might have picked up subtle signs that I'm in the midst of planning our August wedding... It's not like I've been prattling on about it since October or anything! I'm rather enjoying this documentation of the planning process for you - I think it will be quite fun for me to look back on once it's all done and dusted, so I don't really mind too much if people are skipping these posts because I'll appreciate them one day! Ha!
Today I want to tackle something that seems prevalent on every wedding blog or forum and in every bridal magazine: the dreaded affliction that is pre-wedding bridal stress.
Well. I seem to, er, not have it.
I realise that in a couple of months' time I may regret that outlandish statement but I have to be honest don't I? I don't feel particularly stressed. It has not been a stressful experience, thus far. Okay, there was that little niggle with the dress that time but hey, that's what deposits are for, right? And it all worked out fine in the end. And fair enough, we have yet to chase anyone for RSVPs, but if they don't bother to reply then I don't think they deserve to join our party, in all honesty!
The thing is, I keep reading all these magazines with their timelines and their checklists, reminding me exactly what I ought to be doing at any given time. For reference with under 5 months to go, I need to be booking in hair and make up trials, arranging the florist, reminding my groom he needs an outfit, consulting my hairdresser, choosing favours, and let's not forget, forcing myself to rid my body of any excess weight whilst obtaining new teeth and obliterating any unsightly blemishes or scars.
Well. My hairdresser will be my sister, and I'm pretty sure she will turn up on the day. I've booked a make up artist. We are doing the flowers ourselves, I'm fairly certain Jon will be clothed on the day (we can only hope), I don't actually have a regular hairdresser as I'll take whatever stylist happens to be free, we aren't doing favours, and I'm not too fussed about my weight. My dress is a size 20 (hurrah for sample sales) so I'm pretty sure it'll fit! And I'm doing my best to be healthy rather than skinny and so far I am seeing small improvements. So I'm really not stressing myself too much over all this. My skin, well, it'll do what it will do, but I've upped my water intake and am using lots of vitamin E products. That's what make up is for though, right?
The issue I have is, every other bride you hear from or see on social media IS stressed! There's always something bothering them, be it the seating plan, the colour scheme, the bridesmaids acting up, the mother-in-law being monstrous. Am I lucky or simply too laid back to care? I don't consider myself a relaxed person normally - I thrive upon stress, it keeps me going! According to all the magazines, I should be freaking out - we've planned a wedding in 10 months, we're poor as church mice, my parents are separated, our families are stuffed full of the usual feuds and rows, I'm about 20 glass jars short of my perfect table setting and we have only just finalised our invitations.
And I'm not stressed.
It helps, admittedly, that we are receiving financial help from both families, for which we are incredibly thankful. It helps that my mother in law (well, all my in laws basically!) is perfectly lovely and a friend as well as a parental figure! It also helps that Jon and I have split the planning equally between us, so we both get a say in things and both have a list of tasks to tick off. Jon is threatening me with a Star Wars cake and a football shirt tuxedo - and I don't mind at all! My bridesmaids have all picked out their own dresses, as I didn't want them to match - I sent them the colour scheme and left them to it! As a result they have all now obtained dresses they will feel comfortable in and will wear again, so it's worked out great and I know they're going to look beautiful on the day. Whilst I do have a vision of how our day will go, really it could pour with rain, no one could turn up, I could gain four stone, the food could be cold and it wouldn't matter, because I'm marrying the love of my life. It's going to be amazing regardless of what happens, I am sure of it.
I do need those jars to materialise, though.
If you're a bride to be too, how are you feeling at the moment? Are the magazines stressing you out? Am I abnormal??
Love Dani
xoxo
