It's no surprise that planning a wedding can make you break out the tissues; as it turns out, there are distinct emotional phases you may go through before getting married. You can experience these stages in any order, and every person's experience is just as unique as their wedding.
By: Stefania Sainato6. Panic, Followed by Acceptance
Bursts of clarity can come from even the most unexpected places. One of the most vivid moments I recall was during a casual family conversation that started out about how excited guests were to attend the wedding. My parents became anxious about everything going perfectly. "I don't care about wowing guests! I just want to marry Jason. I love him, and I want to spend the rest of my life with him," I exclaimed out of nowhere.
My parents still tease me about my random outburst from time to time, but in all seriousness, it made me realize that no matter what happened, my wedding would be amazing because I was getting married, and that was all that mattered. A peaceful feeling came over me the week before the wedding. I just focused on having fun with my family, bridal party, and all of the people who had flown in for the occasion.
How to make the most of this stage:
Plan a few enjoyable activities for the week before the wedding to help distract yourself. I had a spa bachelorette party with my girlfriends, and a surprise Hawaiian bridal shower at work. I also entertained out-of-town guests from Europe with a boat sail around NYC, and an impromptu limo ride. It was the most fun I'd had in months, and it helped me remember what the wedding day was truly about.
When all else fails, remember that on your wedding day, you will be surrounded by all of the people who've touched your lives, from when you were a child up until now. For Jason and I, that count included ill elderly relatives and loved ones who had flown in from other states (and countries). Celebrating our new life together with all of them present was more beautiful than we ever could have imagined, and made all of the planning craziness worth it.
All of the loved ones who attended our rehearsal dinner.
