How Do You Handle Stress...

So for a little bit of background, I've had a crazy few weeks. I currently work in DC/live in VA. FI ended his military career and we had his MBA graduation on Sun, 5/22. We took an early honeymoon to Aruba from Tues, 5/24 to Sun, 5/29 b/c we'll both be in new jobs and won't be able to do it right after the wedding in October. On Tues, 5/31 he dropped me off in NY and I spent 6 days at home for my shower that took place last Sat, 6/4. On top of that, FI moved to CT for his new job that started 6/1. Phew, right?

So I was a stress case for the shower. I don't have a bridal party and my mom hosted and paid for my shower which is the traditional Greek thing to do but she doesn't speak English or drive. Needless to say, I did almost everything for my shower. My closest cousin helped quite a bit but it was pretty much all on me.

The night before I couldn't sleep and I didn't really eat much the day before or day of. I wasn't nervous, just more anxious/stressed that everything would go ok and my guests would be taken care of. I was like that the morning of the shower and at the party too.

I know the party was really lovely and everything went well. The little issues I was worried about were totally fine and completely resolved themselves. I'm just really sad that I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. I put so much time and energy and not to mention all the $ my parents paid for it and I couldn't relax enough to enjoy it.

I was also really stressed out with all the photo taking. I am a huge picture person and love taking photos myself. My college roommate was there and she's actually a professional photographer so she had pictures covered. The problem was every time she took a photo, like 10 other people would come up to get the same shot and it actually took up huge chunks of time b/c many times I would have to keep posing or get back in the shot. By the end of the shower I had had it with the photos and I was really cranky. Now I am super sad b/c I missed some friend and group shots that I should have gotten at the end but couldn't stand to pose for any more photos. I actually talked to FI about this for the wedding and he's going to help me and run interference at the wedding b/c I absolutely do not want this to happen at our wedding.

So thanks for listening to this rambling post. So tell me, how to you handle stress and these types of situations? I am not a calm person by nature and even more high strung when it's my own event. My goal is to relax and let go as much as I can for the wedding so I can enjoy the event that I will have spent 2 yrs planning. I feel like I learned a good lesson from the shower about what not to do for/at the wedding b/c I really do want to enjoy the day and be more in the
moment.

Any and all advice is welcome! TIA!

Have you thought about hiring a DOC? I don't want to be stressed on my wedding day, so she'll be there to handle everything. She'll run interference with vendors, fix problems, etc. Also, since your Mom doesn't speak english and you have no bridal party, it sounds like you could use some support.

Mine is Meaghan Sinisi from Fruition Events. Check out her site. www.fruition-events.com. I know that there are also a bunch of other DOC's that are recommended by other girls on LIW.

Hope this helps!!

I'd definitely recommend a DOC

Your situation sounds eerily similar to mine ( living in DC, wedding in NY, a move, new jobs, no wedding party, and. FH that just finished his MBA!)

Also, I was having panic attacks so they popped me on a low dose of Lexapro, which seems to be helping tremendously. I was just overwhelmed

I am officially moving today....I can understand your stress!

I've also been taking long walks almost daily, which has helped. Granted, they were through the Zoo in the evening, so it was super quiet

I think hiring a DOC is a good idea. I've toyed with the idea for a while but haven't been able to let go yet. But after my shower last weekend, I think it's a must for me so that I can try and relax and actually enjoy my wedding. So over the next week I will start to look into DOC and hopefully get that settled.

Ok, ladies, what else are you doing/going to do to combat stress and anxiety so you can enjoy your wedding? I poured out my heart here which is not an easy thing for me so I'm hoping for some additional advice.

Thanks!