Summer '10 Girls- How do you deal with the stress?

When I realized my wedding is only 6 months away and

-I still have not looked into florists/flowers
-I still have not met with my officiant to discuss the ceremony
-I still have not chosen a photographer
-I still have not reserved rooms in a hotel
-found out no one from my bridal party ordered their dresses
-got on the scale and saw I gained TEN (yes, 10) pounds....

I FREAKED OUT!!!

How do you deal with this stress? I feel so behind. I eat and now I gained 10 pounds from stress eating which has not helped the situation. There is so much to do and so little time. It is hard scheduling all this stuff because my fiance and I's schedules are very tight (and we do not live together) and contacting vendors and trying to meet with them... its such a process. But... all these things need to get done more quickly. How can I calm down my mind is racing.

I am in the same boat, FH and I don't live together so any spare moment we have we talk about the wedding and it can get very stressful. There is still so much to do. We still have to finalize the florist, the officiant and ceremony, book limos and honeymoon. order invites once we do that, and tons of other stuff.

Plus i am working on my master's degree and FH works on the side as well as his full time job. I have been trying to get to the gym more regularly but 1-2 times a week is all i can do right now. It stinks. But take one thing at a time and u will get it done. In my opinion the honeymoon and limos can be done last. We were actually going to meet with travel agent today but of course we were too busy. Hopefully this coming week we can for pricing. I would work on the photographer and hotel block first. We booked with Duet who are awesome. We are also booked at La Quinta in Garden City. Let me know if u need any info. You are not alone!!!! Hope this helps!

I feel lucky...so far all the planning has been pretty stress free.
I think because I am so organized (maybe too organized), I live by my calendar and have timelines for each month as a to do list. That way I make sure I stay on Target.
I also have a list for FH as to what he needs to be included on each month or things that he needs to take care of on his own. That also helps, for me anyway.

We had a two year engagement, so we haven't had THAT much stress.

I would say make a to do list and just start checking stuff off. If you stay organized and calm, you'll get it all done!

Good luck!

I have nervous breakdowns and now I have insomnia.


Obviously I'm not the best person to ask haha

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Posted by Roccosgirl

I feel lucky...so far all the planning has been pretty stress free.
I think because I am so organized (maybe too organized), I live by my calendar and have timelines for each month as a to do list. That way I make sure I stay on Target.
I also have a list for FH as to what he needs to be included on each month or things that he needs to take care of on his own. That also helps, for me anyway.

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same here.... i got a lot of big stuff done as soon as i got engaged... its just the little stuff that i have to do now... surprisingly ive been super organized regarding the wedding... which is unlike me

I had a long engagement so I've been planning a little bit at a time, but it's totally doable at this point that you will work it all out.

First, relax, then pick off each thing one at a time. Do some research online for each type of vendor, narrow it down based on there to vendors you like based on reviews, etc. and if they're available for your date. You can do that in one weekend. Then set up appointments over a week or two to pick the actual vendor when your FH has availability too. Get in touch with your bridesmaids and set a firm deadline of when they have to order the dresses by, tell them the bridal store said it needs to be done by then. And for your mental health, and physical health, join a gym, you can easily get rid of those 10 pounds and it will help with the stress so much! I just renewed today and am getting serious about going because I feel like I'm down to the wire now.

If this all sounds too overwhelming for you I'd invest in a wedding planner who can help you find options for vendors and just simplify the whole process and make your life easier. For how stressed you sound it might be worth the money to get someone to help you with the details!! HTH

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Posted by Roccosgirl

I feel lucky...so far all the planning has been pretty stress free.
I think because I am so organized (maybe too organized), I live by my calendar and have timelines for each month as a to do list. That way I make sure I stay on Target.
I also have a list for FH as to what he needs to be included on each month or things that he needs to take care of on his own. That also helps, for me anyway.

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This is what I do and so far it's been pretty much stress free. Plus, our engagement is only 8 1/2 months, so we need to get things done quickly!

My tip is the same as above. Make some goals for each month. you can use the checklist on this site (go to my wedding and you'll see a timeline/checklist).

The things you need to do first are photo and officiant. Try to get those done this month! Also, tell your girls to order their dresses soon. I'm getting married august 22, and will have them all ordered by March 6 (hopefully!)

After you get photo/officiant, work on flowers. I didn't start this yet either, so you have time. Maybe you can make that your March goal.

Hotel block can be achieved in March/April.

You do have some time. Take it little by little. Make checklists and goals for each month and you'll get it done.

Recommendations

Officiant:

Pastor April
Rev Deb
Pastor Bill (William Britton)

Photo:

Duet
Thomas Paul
Joe Sanfilippo (I know him personally- he's a good guy, and good prices, and great photographer!)
Patken
12th Night

Use this site and look at Brides Review. Wedding Wires is also a good site with reviews of all different vendors.

I can second joe sanfilippo on the photography!

Also for flowers - bethpage florist does GREAT work!

6 months isnt that bad, you got time! Dont stress- enjoy it!!

I understand how you feel... I feel like I still have sooo much to do... i havent been sleeping and every waking moment i'm thinking of wedding things... it's driving me crazy

that being said, i would take it one step at a time... do photographer first and then hotel block, then i would make sure your bm dresses are ordered and look into florists

im starting the florist search now so dont worry about that, you still have time for that but i would definitely get photo and hotel out of the way, if you have any questions feel free to fm

Until this week I was handling everything pretty well. I have a full time job, plus a part job as a therapist, I just signed a contact on a house and am planning a wedding. This week I just exploded with stress. Thank god for my MOH, I called her any just lost it. I spoke to my FH about everything and he is just as stressed. Planning a wedding and purchasing a house in the same year is so stressful.

This weekend I actually got sick. I hate to say this but it was the best thing that ever happened. I caught strp throat from my kids at work. I had no other choice buyt to lay in bed and rest. It taught me how important it is to take time for yourself regardless of what is on your to do list.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO BREATH

Don't stress, it all gets done! I would sit down with FH and pick a week and book everything for that week or maybe a 2 week block where you can meet with vendors. Once you meet with them you will book and not have to worry about it until right before the wedding. I know someone who had an amazing wedding an planned it all in 5 months! So don't sweat it, it will get done!

I have to say that I starter to stress, once we hit this 6 month mark. you just have to take on one thing at a time