How to Tackle Pre-Wedding Jitters Head On

bride sitting on a couch

Symptoms of pre-wedding jitters can vary from person to person. You might have trouble falling asleep for no reason, waking up frequently during the night, or sleeping too much. Somehow, you might also turn to overeating, undereating, or suddenly have an increased or decreased appetite. Or you might feel irritable, sad, or angry for no apparent reason. And unlike before, you begin having trouble concentrating or get easily distracted.

Pre-wedding jitters are sometimes confused with cold feet in which either you or your partner have second thoughts about getting married, due to various reasons, and consider postponing or canceling the wedding. If you’re experiencing cold feet, it’s recommended to speak to a counselor. However, if it’s just pre-wedding jitters, there are steps you can take by yourself to ease your mind and ensure a successful wedding.

Know that these tendencies are normal and can be a sign that you are about to embark on a big life change. You just have to recognize the symptoms and take steps to manage them, as they can have a negative impact on your physical and emotional well-being. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which can make it difficult for you to enjoy your wedding day.

The best way to tackle pre-wedding jitters is to take care of yourself. Talking to a therapist or counselor can also be beneficial, as they can help you manage your stress and anxiety. Or if you believe you can manage the feels by yourself or with loved ones, here are what you can do:

Take Comfort in the Fact that Others Have Experienced It

Don’t panic if you’re feeling nervous while planning your wedding, as it’s a common experience for many people, nor be fooled by perfect-looking weddings, as they all face their own set of challenges. Every wedding tends to have its own difficulties, but if those couples were able to overcome them and have a successful wedding day, so can you.

Knowing this, you can feel better about the challenges that may arise during the planning process of your wedding. Just be more self-attuned this time. What are you really worried about? Is it the budget for your wedding overall, given that bridal gowns, event venue, and even entourage attire can be very expensive? Don’t fret—there are a lot of ways to get discounts for these, especially when you purchase them earlier and opt instead for bridesmaids robes set of 6. Buying everything in bundles help you save.

Take a Break and Have Fun

To alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with wedding planning, try to engage in activities that bring you joy. This could be spending time with your friends, partner, or family members doing something fun such as swimming, dancing, attending concerts or festivals, or even watching funny comedies.

Doing things you find enjoyable can help take your mind off the wedding and reduce your worries. The act of laughing, in particular, is a great way to release tension and ease anxieties. Pre-wedding parties can help too. Have fun taking photo ops with your wedding entourage. Even rehearsing wearing your satin robes with the girls can help ease your jitters for the very day.

Avoid Turning to Junk Food

Many brides-to-be tend to resort to unhealthy foods when they feel stressed or nervous. This habit can lead to weight gain and perpetuate worries about things going wrong on the big day, like not being able to fit into the wedding dress.

To look your best on the wedding day, make a commitment to eat a diet of mostly fruits and vegetables leading up to the wedding, and save any indulgences for after the big day. Most often, when your stress and anxiety subside, you’ll find yourself not craving unhealthy food anymore.

Don’t Forget to Unwind

Take some time to unwind and relax. Tension and anxiety will not help you look good on your wedding day. To avoid looking stressed or having dark circles under your eyes in your wedding photos, make sure to set aside some time for pampering, which doesn’t have to be a whole day event, as you still have a wedding to plan.

Book a spa session that lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours and allow yourself to let go of your worries. You can do this once a week or once every two weeks, or even more frequently if you have the time and funds. The goal is to take a break from the wedding planning stress and allow yourself to relax and rejuvenate.

Get Enough Sleep

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep before your wedding. Many brides experience difficulty sleeping due to stress and anxiety days leading up to their big day. However, not getting enough sleep can result in looking tired and stressed in your wedding photos, even your wedding front liners in their bridesmaid robes.

Try natural sleep aids like melatonin supplements, CBD oil, or a workout to tire yourself out. You can also take a warm bath and drink some wine, or use sleeping pills like Ambien or Restoril if necessary. Getting enough sleep will not only help you feel better but also ensure you look your best on your wedding day.

Talk It Out

Talking about your anxieties and worries with other people you trust and feel comfortable with can be incredibly beneficial for your pre-wedding jitters. Discussing these negative thoughts can be like therapy, helping you feel more confident when the big day comes. Your friends and family members can offer new perspectives and help ease your fears. They can provide you with a fresh outlook on the situation and help you see things in a new light.

If you don’t have anyone close to talk to, you should consider joining a support group for brides-to-be. This can be an excellent option for women who don’t have close friends or family members to confide in. In these support groups, brides-to-be can take turns discussing their worries and anxieties. Talking about your fears and concerns with other women in the same situation can be incredibly therapeutic and can help you feel more confident and at ease as your wedding day approaches.

Be Open-Minded That Things Can Go Wrong But That’s Okay

No wedding is perfect and unexpected things can happen. Despite your best planning and efforts, mistakes can occur during the wedding day. Whether it’s wilted flowers, a late bridesmaid, or sweat ruining your makeup, a multitude of potential issues can happen anytime.

However, know that even seemingly perfect weddings often have their own challenges and difficulties. Whether the issues are minor and don’t impact the overall ceremony, or the couple is able to adapt and go with the flow, the key is to be prepared for the unexpected. Simply allow room for some mistakes and understand that things won’t always go as planned.

Almost everyone experiences pre-wedding jitters, but above all, remember to focus on the bigger picture and enjoy this exciting time in your life.