The wedding bells are chiming, but your stress response is through the roof: fast breathing, feeling hot and sweaty. This is no way to enjoy your wedding day; you should feel excited, happy and calm. However, we can’t beat our stress response when we are nervous; it's unfortunately a part of our daily lives as humans. However, there are ways of managing these nerves and turning them into a good, happy stress that feels more like wedding day excitement than nerves. How can you take the reins of these nerves? Here are a few strategies to handle wedding day nerves like a pro.
Getting a good night's sleep
Did you know getting a good night's sleep boosts emotional resilience? While it sounds simple, the best way to start your wedding day right is to get a good night's sleep the night before. When you are well rested, your body can better regulate emotions, including emotions associated with stress and nerves. Therefore, being well rested will bode you well for calming those wedding day nerves. Furthermore, it will give you more energy to party late into the night at your wedding reception.
Start the day right
The morning of your wedding day can be very stressful, rushing to finish those final touches. You may have hair and makeup appointments, and then you’ve got to get to the wedding venue on time for the ceremony. While a lot may be going on in the morning, start the day with some comfort. Start with a lovely breakfast/brunch; you may not have time to eat lunch, so getting some good food early in your day becomes extra essential. Furthermore, after breakfast, do an activity you enjoy before getting ready. This could be going for a peaceful walk, going to the gym or swimming, or doing something creative. Any activity that relaxes you will help regulate your nerves and emotions later on your wedding day.
Surround yourself with the right people
Picture this: you’ve just finished your vows, and suddenly, you feel a rush of nerves. But, when you turn to your bridal party, they’re ready with a smile, a hug, or a quick joke—immediately grounding you. Remember the people around you as you get excited for your wedding day. You’ve invited an entire guest list of your closest friends and family, and your bridal party will be with you the whole day. Like the example above, they are there to ground and support you when those nerves try to creep their way into your wedding day. Just ask and let them know you’re feeling nervous and stressed, and they’ll be sure to support you and help you handle the nerves.
Mindful Techniques
Breathe in, breathe out. Mindful breathing is an excellent strategy for overcoming and controlling your nervous response. You will be anxious and excited on your wedding day no matter what; however, sometimes, our bodies’ emotional response to that nervousness manifests in stress. Slow, controlled breathing is a great way to overcome the stress response. This slows your heart rate and quickly decreases your physical response to stress, which helps you take charge of it. There are various breathing techniques, such as box breathing, that will work to decrease the stress response; just use the method you find easiest.
Remember, not everything will go perfectly
It’s okay if not every detail is executed precisely as you had planned on the day. Maybe you will spend a little bit longer taking photos, and the timing of your reception will shift slightly. It could be raining, and your reception needs to move inside. There are some things we cannot control, and getting stressed about things we can’t control or change will not help the situation; it will only make you feel worse.
Whether its rainstorms or a schedule mix-up, It’s best to embrace your wedding day and every fun surprise it may bring and focus on the big picture: you are officially married!
At Markovina Estate, we do everything possible to take the stress off your shoulders and onto ours. We want to ensure that you are focused on having a great time on your wedding day while we handle the details to execute your wedding day exactly how you imagined. If you need anything or feel nervous or stressed on your wedding day, the Markovina team is always there to help however we can. That way, we ensure you have the wedding of your dreams.
