Why Self-Care During the Wedding Planning Process Is So Important

From the moment you choose a date to the time you select your venue and find your dress, there’s an infinite number of tasks to check off your pre-wedding to-do list. Of course, those tasks are all crucial to the success of your big day, but there’s one thing that often gets left off of every bride’s to-do list. Self-care should be a top priority during the wedding planning process.

Yes, there are a million things to do during the months leading up to your big day. Finding time to take care of yourself can be difficult. But your personal health and well-being are essential if you want to enjoy that walk down the aisle, looking and feeling your absolute best. Here’s why self-care is so important during the wedding planning process.

Self-care is Essential for Your Happiness and Health

Most importantly, self-care can help you handle the stress of planning one of the biggest days of your life.  When you’re researching venues, interviewing vendors, making tons of decisions, and balancing your wedding dreams with the realities of your real-life budget- along with trying to keep your family, partner, and bridal party happy- your stress levels can shoot through the roof. Investing some time in self-care can be a real stress reliever, ensuring that you are happy and healthy when your big day finally comes.

Self-care is Important for Your Relationship

Making self-care a top priority during the wedding planning process not only makes you feel better, but it can also lead to a healthier and happier relationship with your partner. There’s a distinct connection between caring for yourself and caring for others. You can’t be there for your spouse if you’re not taking care of yourself. Both parties in a marriage should practice self-care so that they can better nurture their relationship.

Delegate and Ask for Help When You Need It

Delegating certain tasks and asking for help when you need it is one of the most important things you can do to take care of yourself leading up to your wedding. Ask your bridal party, your friends, your family, and your partner to help you tackle things like cake tastings and scouting venues. The more tasks you can delegate, the less stressed you will feel. Not only that, but your loved ones will want to help. You can still ask them to come back to you for a final decision, but there’s no reason you have to do every little thing yourself.

Reserve Time for Self-Care

If you open your calendar right now, you’ll probably see a variety of appointments, meetings, obligations, and telephone calls that need to be completed. How about self-care? If you don’t put it on the calendar and make it a priority like everything else, it’s probably not going to happen. Time gets away from you quickly, especially when you have a lot on your plate, so don’t forget to reserve time for self-care.

Spend Time with Your Partner

Taking time for yourself during the wedding planning process is important, but so is spending time with your spouse-to-be. Establish a self-care ritual that the two of you can do together, such as a weekly date night or taking a long walk one evening each week. It’s important to support each other during this process and to make your relationship a top priority. Having a ritual keeps you both grounded and gives you something to count on, no matter how hectic the rest of your life gets.

Ways to Practice Self-Care

There’s are lots of ways to practice self-care. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

1. See an acupuncturist. “Acupuncture is a safe and effective way to relieve stress and improve your overall health,” says Dr. Jill Blakeway, who’s clinic offers acupuncture services in NYC. Most patients report feelings of deep relaxation and renewed energy after just one treatment.
2. Get some exercise. Activities that get you moving, such as swimming, walking, dancing, or yoga stimulate the release of endorphins, which put you in a good mood.
3. Take a long, warm bath. Soaking in a bubble bath is the ultimate indulgence. Don’t forget the candles, a glass of wine, and some soothing music!
4. Unplug for a few hours, or even a whole day. Sure, Facebook and Instagram are a great way to stay in touch with friends and keep tabs on your favorite celebs, but does it really make you feel good to expose yourself to all that drama? Unplugging from social media once in a while allows you to focus on yourself, instead of what everyone else is doing.
5. Create something. Whether it’s a chocolate cake or a pencil drawing, getting creative is a great way to feel productive and mindful.
6. Keep a journal. Writing your thoughts down in a journal each night is a great way to settle your mind down before you fall asleep. It’s especially helpful if you’re one of the people who can’t shut down their thoughts at night.
7. Clean up your diet. Eliminating sugar, processed foods, and sodium from your diet is a great way to take care of yourself. Not only will you look and feel better, but you might also lose a few pounds, too, and what bride doesn’t want that?
8. Treat yourself to something special. Buy a new outfit or have lunch with a friend. Do something special that’s just for you.
9. Have a spa day. You don’t have to spend a ton of money. You can plan a spa day right at home and take a long bath, do your nails, and give yourself a facial. Sit around in your pajamas all day, drink tea, and watch Netflix. When life is hectic and busy, chilling out at home can be the perfect way to recharge.
10. Spend some time outdoors. Go to the beach or take a walk in nature. Fresh air and sunshine are the perfect mood lifters.

Taking a little time for self-care will help you handle the stress and anxiety that come with planning a wedding. Escaping the crazy for a little while will help you feel more relaxed and in control when the time comes. Try incorporating one of these ideas each day to stay healthy and happy throughout the wedding planning process.