Wedding Layers

Getting married soon? Nervous about the big day? Having jitters already? Learn how to beat the pre-wedding and wedding jitters. Overcome Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome, a term coined by former bride and wedding photographer assistant Victoria Carrington so that you will look and feel your best on your big day!

I was once a bride and I am now the assistant to Sam Carrington, my husband, owner of Sam Carrington Photography specializing in wedding photography. I have combined my experience with my continuing observation of brides and brides-to-be to coin the term Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome. Every bride knows that there is nothing more nerve-wracking than planning a huge event, especially one that will change your life forever (hopefully). How can you be aware of and overcome wedding jitters? The stress of a wedding comes from many sources and the first step to conquering a case of nerves is to recognize the causes of the stress. Stress and anxiety due to a wedding comes from:

- Planning- so many decisions to be made-how will you make the right choices? Choosing photographers, caterers, venues, florists, dress shops and cakes can be a daunting task, especially as most of us in this generation were not taught to entertain. How exactly do you know how to choose the right vendors? Various articles may point you in different directions. Each friend you talk to has a different horror story. The stress begins here.

-Perfection-everybody knows that your wedding day should be perfect right? That is not an easy ideal to live up to in any circumstance. Although we intellectually know that nothing can be perfect, our hearts still want the fairy tale wedding in which every little thing is perfect. Thinking about a breach in the desired perfection can lead to waking up in a cold sweat many nights before the wedding.

-Pleasing-so much of wedding preparation involves pleasing a myriad of others, some of whom may have opposing tastes and requests. At this delicate time of your relationship with your intended life mate, you must pay careful attention to his needs and the needs of his family. But what about your family and their wishes? And where exactly do your needs fit in here? Perhaps nowhere but it will be very stressful for you to figure this out.

-Position-some of the main stress of wedding planning may have to with determining your new role within your new family-to-be and sometimes even with your family of origin. You may need to jockey between your divorced parents or his, step-parents or even between your beau and his parents. The tension can wear you out and make you feel stressed. You may need to be a peacemaker or an umpire. In worst case scenarios, you may need to be block punches from being thrown.

You may be saying to yourself Yeah, all that stress stuff is true but I am too stressed to do anything about it. Anyway, a little stress can not be that bad can it?

Could I really have Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome?

The answer is-yes, stress can be very bad for you, your health, your relationships and ultimately for your enjoyment of your wedding day. The harmful effects of stress are well-known and they impact on your life as you are planning your wedding. Stress causes you to:

-not think as clearly as you should at times. You have a lot of major decisions to make and thinking clearly will be in your best interest. Being able to come up with a brilliant solution to a thorny planning problem will make you look good to your future family too.

-not feeling as good as you should. Physically, stress will wear you down. It will make you feel more tired yet it may make you not rest or sleep well at night. Stress can cause muscle aches, headaches and stomach aches. It can exacerbate pre-existing health problems at a time when you need to feel your best and get a lot done. Importantly, stress can also cause your body to be less resistant to germs and diseases as your immune functions get compromised. You certainly do not want to be sick on your big day!

-Not cultivate relationships like you need to. In this delicate time of navigating what will be the most important relationships of your life, you need to keep a clear head and be able to relate well to others, even those you may not like or with whom you may not have much in common. Stress can keep you so wound up that you do not trust anyone. You do not want that to occur.

You no doubt by now get the point that stress is bad. So what is a bride-to-be to do? First of all, I advise that you relax. How do you do that you ask? If you knew how to do that you would not be reading this article you say?

Well, our next step is to give you some tips on how to keep the stress level down before your big day.

Stress Busters to Help You Overcome Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome

-breathe. I mean it, really breathe. Throughout your long, busy and stress-filled days breathe and remember to breathe deeply and slowly. Taking a deep breath can be an immediate stress reliever. Just remember to breathe slowly. If you breathe too deeply and quickly you could get dizzy and feel faint. We do not want that to happen as you are engrossed in observing the intricacies of wedding cake decorating, for instance.

-brush up on your etiquette. A little please and thank you will build your patience and your character and help you to stop rushing around.

-Pray or meditate. For me prayer is the thing that works. Focusing on the Creator of all things for even a few minutes will make your problems, issues and concerns seem much smaller. Make this a regular habit and increase your quiet prayer time if you find yourself getting more stressed. Reading books about spirituality and similar topics, including the Bible, will also help you to stay focused on what is most important in this life.

-Stay connected to those you care about. It is easy to neglect our relationships when we get busy. Remember to still spend quality time with your groom-to-be after you are finished discussing wedding plans. Get to know your future in-laws better as you are working with them on wedding planning. Keep meeting with your girlfriends and do not feel that you need to discuss the wedding all the time. In other words, do not forget that the world does not revolve around you and your wedding and remember to take interest in what is going on in the lives of others.

-Take care of your physical health. Eat right and drink plenty of water. Get enough sleep each and every night and do not vary your sleeping and waking times too much. Get plenty of exercise, fresh air and sunshine.

-Pamper your body. Use luxurious lotions, fragrant bubble baths and tinted candles to create a relaxing environment for your body to de-stress. Get a massage, pedicure and/or manicure. Just taking a few moments out of a busy week or month on a regular difference can greatly reduce your stress level and help you overcome or even avoid Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome.

-Read a great book, go to a movie or even watch (mindless) TV if you must. Just find a way to lose yourself for a few minutes or hours (preferably using methods that are legal and not addicting).

-Speaking of addicting, it is probably best to avoid the serious stuff. I have seen one too many brides who seemed to be a little tanked up even before the ceremony and I tell you that it does not make for the best photos. If you start using say, alcohol for stress relief and treatment of Wedding Planning Stress Syndrome, you may come to rely on it for your wedding day and beyond. Save yourself some grief and drink sparkling Italian water instead.

-Most of all keep your perspective and have fun. Your wedding is meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, a time of joy to be cherished and remembered forever. Make up your mind that you are going to enjoy the journey as much as you enjoy the destination of the big day. Yes, things may not go exactly as you plan. Count on that and let it go. Yes, some people may drive you crazy. But your wedding day will last in your memory as the greatest day in your life. Choose to be happy!

Victoria Carrington
Sam Carrington Photography
Serving Brides Nationwide
http://www.SamCarrington.com
Check out the wedding photos on our site today!

Author: Victoria Carrington
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Electric Pressure Cooker

Some might find this hard to believe, but planning a cheap wedding is quite easy to do. It’s also great fun and can be really unique and creative too! So if you’re planning a cheap wedding in the future, here are some great tips and ideas for you…

1. Cheap Wedding Locations. Planning a cheap wedding location is not impossible. In fact, you can have wedding ceremonies in a variety of places that are completely free. The local park is a great example. There’s usually no cost to go to a public park, and planning a cheap wedding ceremony there doesn’t usually require any permits or other fees either. Double check with your local city authorities just to be sure first of course.

The Beach is another free place to have a wedding ceremony, as is many churches for that matter. Other ideas include: Having your ceremony at a family member’s home, or having the ceremony in your own back yard. If the wedding couple loves nature, it may be free or very inexpensive to have the wedding ceremony at a local zoo, nature reserve, or flower conservatory too.

2. Cheap Wedding Receptions. Planning a low cost wedding reception is not too difficult either. One way to keep the reception super cheap is to make it a pot luck meal. You can have the guests each bring their own dish, and this could be requested in place of having them buy you wedding presents if you’d like.

If you’d rather not ask guests to bring food for your wedding reception, then ask a few family members to get together and cook the food as a wedding gift to you.

Planning a cheap wedding reception should also involve choosing cheap or free locations for the reception too. Try to make the wedding reception co-incide with the ceremony in some way. If you plan to have your wedding ceremony in the gazebo at the park for instance, then plan for the reception to be a barbecue or picnic style event in that same park.

Another easy and cheap example of course, is if you have the wedding ceremony in your home. Then you can plan to have the reception in your home as well, or out in the backyard if the weather is nice. If you’re planning a cheap wedding on the beach, an excellent reception idea is to have a beach party afterwards… bonfire and all.

3. Cheap Wedding Decorations. When planning a cheap wedding you’ll of course need to keep the cost of decorations down as much as possible. You don’t have to go without them completely though, you just need to improvise.

Instead of buying expensive flowers for instance, try decorating with balloons and streamers instead. Go to a local craft or fabric store and buy a few spools of pretty ribbon, then tie the balloons together with strips of the ribbon done up in a bow. Also tie the ribbons into bows themselves, then tape the ribbon bows around for decorations by themselves.

Another idea for creating inexpensive table decorations is to simply collect some pretty rocks. Wash them clean, then arrange them creatively on tables or other surfaces. You could even paint the rocks to match your desired wedding color theme.

Here’s a great idea if you’re planning a low cost wedding that will have an outdoor, picnic or barbecue style reception: buy pretty paper plates and napkins instead of using expensive china dishes.

As you can see with just these few ideas, planning a cheap wedding can actually be a lot of fun!

Read on for even more tips on inexpensive wedding centerpieces.

Author: Diane Crawford
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Gadget reviews

I bet that you heard the following statements relating to weddings:

In the past, tradition called for the bride and her family to plan, and be responsible for the wedding. The groom and his family were often, but not always, asked to participate in specific aspects such as: Flowers for the bride, the mothers, the groom and male attendants, Music and the Officiant.

Times, they are changing!

The traditional family of “Leave it to Beaver” where the man worked out of the house, supporting the family while the wife stayed home caring for the home and the children is reserved to too few families.

Today, both men and women work, earning a living and sharing responsibilities for the home and the children. It has become commonplace for men to shop, do housework and care for their children. In fact the term “House Husband” no longer sounds strange. Also, More and more brides and grooms live together prior to marriage.

The traditional responsibility of the bride’s parents to plan and fulfill their daughter’s dream wedding has shifted. Today, a majority of the working brides and grooms pay all, or a large percentage of the wedding costs.

Another change in the wedding scene is the large number of brides and grooms who have been married before. Their weddings may include children.

So, who’s wedding is it anyway?

The bride’s and the groom’s of course!

In fact, quite frequently, it is recognized not only with engagement parties for both but also with wedding showers where both bride and groom are showered with gifts. Did you notice the change from BRIDAL SHOWER to WEDDING SHOWER?

Though there are still some aspects specific to brides or grooms, they should plan their big day together. It is important that each of them bears the responsibility and commitment to their relationship as a soon to be a married couple. Preparing for their wedding dayis a great excercise. It is also an important judge as to how comfortable with, and yielding to each other the bride and groom are.

Today’s grooms are just as excited as their brides at the prospect of their upcoming marriage. They do not want to be guests at their own wedding. Rather, they want to be active participants in planning their wedding and honeymoon with their brides. They want to contribute financially, they want their opinions considered and they want to be involved in the decision making. Working as a team planning the wedding, gives the bride and groom a wonderful opportunity to dream together, share their thoughts, plan together and have the wedding of their dream. All the while, sharing the excitement, fun and occasional disagreements and resolutions, associated with wedding planning and later, with married life.

Working together brings the bride and groom closer together as they learn more and more about each other, and is a good beginning to later, jointly plan their life together.

We have seen the trend gaining momentum, as brides often ask A-wedding Day how to involve their grooms in planning their wedding. We have also noticed a dramatic increase in the number of men purchasing not only jewelry and gifts, but wedding accessories for the ceremony and reception.

You plan to share your life as a couple, you owe it to both of you to plan your wedding as a couple. You’ll enjoy a rewarding experience, the memories of which will last a lifetime.

Copyrights © 2007 All Rights Reserved Nily Glaser

Nily Glaser who is an educator and a published author, is the CEO of A-wedding Day at: http://www.a-weddingday.com

She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.

Nily Glaser pays special attention to enlighten educators, families and wedding professionals.
Her web site is a very popular Wedding Resource and Information Center, and a discount shopping mall for wedding gifts, supplies and bridal accessories including the exclusive line of Wedding Accessories By Nily.

A-wedding day specializes in theme and family weddings and in do it yourself projects.

To read more of her articles click here

Author: Nily Glaser
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Cellphone news

Exactly what should your disc jockey be doing in the weeks/months prior to your wedding? If you think that they just show up at your reception and are ready to go – you’ve missed out on what they’ve been doing to prepare.

Typically, your DJ will meet you during the sales stage of things – you get to know him, they get to know what you are looking for. Once you’ve decided that they are the right DJ for you, then the work starts. Your DJ would lock in your date and start working on preparation. About 2 months prior to your wedding, they would meet you again and start going over details with you. If your DJ wants to meet only a week or so ahead of your wedding – just say no. You should expect more from them.

This is what a professional DJ does in the months prior to your event:

1. They have your itinerary / wedding party names to review and make sure there are no issues and that transitions from one thing to a next have a natural flow to them.

2. They would be communicating with you regarding any last minute changes you might have, sometimes talking to the banquet facility or your photographer if questions arise or to discuss setup requirements.

3. They would review your music requests and make sure they have all your key songs. Many DJs will prepare a working CD with all your selected songs on it to even further make sure there are no issues on the day of your wedding.

4. Many DJs now will work on music programming on their laptop – they will prepare just the right mix of music for social hour and dinner ahead of time. For your dance selections, they may prepare a play list so all the songs you want are easily accessible and for quick reference.

5. They will prepare their equipment and load up just the right pieces for your event and bring sufficient backup in case of emergency.

A typical wedding might require about 5-10 hours of preparation event BEFORE the day of your wedding. Ask your potential DJ how much time they invest in preparation for your event – you might be amazed at the differences between lesser DJs and true professionals.

Rob Alberti
After Hours Disc Jockey Service – MA/CT/RI
http://www.afterhoursdj.net

Author: Rob Alberti
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information

You said yes and the wedding date is set. Now comes the challenging part — planning the wedding. Where and how do you start planning a wedding? Who do you go to for help? When the warm feeling of having been proposed to passes, you’ll likely feel the stress of having to plan for the wedding soon. The fact is that if you have no clue where or how to start planning your wedding, you are sure to experience days when you just want to pull your hair out or stay in bed all day.

However, planning a wedding need not be a cause for the wrinkle lines to start showing right away. If you absolutely have no clue about how to plan your wedding, the first thing you need to realize is that you don’t have to do it alone. Repeat that — You Don’t Have to Plan Your Wedding ALONE. You need help planning your wedding. All you need is to ask and be willing to accept help and advice from others.

Hiring a wedding coordinator is the easiest way to plan a wedding, especially if you have the budget. A wedding coordinator has experience planning weddings so if you have any questions or concerns, he or she is the best person to help you. However, not everyone can afford the services of a wedding coordinator. In this case, you can turn to your family or network of friends to help you plan your wedding. However, be careful when enlisting the help of family members. You want your wedding to be the wedding you and your future spouse want, not what your parents want.

You can also turn to the Internet for your wedding planning woes and concerns. There are thousands of websites, online forums and bulletin boards that can help and give advice on planning a wedding. In addition, take a day off and visit the libraries in your area. These libraries would have books about weddings and all the other aspects — from wedding flowers to wedding favors, wedding cakes to wedding dresses, and everything in between.

With some persistence and patience, you’ll have the wedding you want — with a lot of help from a wedding coordinator, family and friends, the Internet or wedding planning books.

If you’re still stuck trying to plan your perfect wedding then try visiting http://www.plan-the-perfect-wedding.info, a website that specializes in wedding planning, wedding rings, invitations and cheap wedding favor ideas.

Author: Christy Baker
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: US Dollar credit card