Congratulations on your engagement! The time before your wedding can be one of the sweetest, with lots of congratulatory wishes, celebrations and, of course, wedding planning.
Many prospective brides and grooms experience stress during what should be a happy time because planning a wedding can be a big endeavor.
“There are many situations that can arise during wedding planning that cause stress for the happy couple,” said Michael Weinberg, Ph.D., a licensed professional counselor at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. “Families get involved, and there may be differences between how each family communicates or handles situations.”
Dr. Weinberg also notes that couples may just be beginning to figure out how to communicate their wants, desires and differences with each other, and any issues or differences can be compounded by family influence or control issues.
Wedding Planning Stress Symptoms
Big wedding or small and intimate? Local wedding or destination wedding? These are just a couple of the big, stressful decisions that need to be made when planning a wedding. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of stress that can come with such a momentous occasion, so you can cope:
- Tension
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Headaches or stomach problems
- Difficulty with making decisions
- Loss of appetite or increased eating
“Planning a wedding and getting married is a life-changing event that brings joy, excitement, and fun, but it can also come with anxiety, stress and fear,” said Dr. Weinberg.
Coping with Wedding Stress
It’s important to stay positive and to know how to deal with your stress. If the stress is getting to you, try these tips for feeling better:
- Ask for help: Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking; don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. Many will be overjoyed about being involved!
- Eat healthy and exercise: Making good choices about food and staying physically active will help you feel better both mentally and physically.
- Get sleep: You can’t function at your best without enough sleep so make sure you get at least 7-9 hours per night.
- Talk to your physician: If the stress starts to feel overwhelming, contact your doctor for other options that may help.
“I advise couples to remember that the wedding is just a few hours, while the marriage is the rest of your life. Try to not get too stressed about the event details,” said Dr. Weinberg.
If the stress of wedding planning is getting to you, it may be time to consult a professional to discuss your options for stress management. Contact a Banner mental health expert to start working on solutions and get help.
