5 Ways to Beat Pre-Wedding Anxiety and Look After Your Mental Health

Contributed by Sophia Smith

Pre-wedding jitters are unavoidable and mostly wonderful, but a bucket-full of butterflies in your belly cannot really be easy to handle when you have a guest list to manage, a venue to find, and the ideal gown to choose. The endless list of chores and responsibilities makes it impossible to truly relax. Unless you prepare a stress-detox plan, that is!

All brides and grooms-to-be need to do everything in their power to make their special day joyful, and the days that come before it. So, to prevent your wedding butterflies from turning into full-scale anxiety, you need to focus on strategies that will help you minimize stress, from regular workouts to improving your nutrition: here are a few time-tested additions to your own stress-beating routine!

Try mindfulness meditation

Every bride and groom need a way to slow down once in a while, and prevent getting worked up over another wedding planning problem that is bound to come up. Knowing that the next few months will be hectic, you can prepare your mind for the rush by teaching yourself to slow down and breathe with the help of meditation.

To give your meditative practice a boost in case you’re not new to the concept, you can get a comfortable meditation cushion to truly build the right setting for your relaxing sessions. Alternatively, you can start a meditation journal to slowly transform it into a habit and use it to stay mentally healthy and strong well after the wedding.

Amp up your exercise routine

All the chores on your to-do list for the wedding are likely going to keep you occupied and force you to spend your energy on prepping for that beautiful day. However, that is no excuse to avoid the gym or any other form of workout for that matter – this is the perfect way to keep stress at bay, to stay healthy both physically and mentally, and to improve your sleep quality (and we’ll get to the importance of that habit shortly).

So, when you’re feeling low, you can use a high stim preworkout supplement based on ingredients such as caffeine or TeaCrine, known to elevate your energy and keep your performance spot-on. Add to that, you’ll spread out your energy throughout the day more evenly, and your body will recover more easily for the next training session. That’s a single alteration in your nutrition to stay consistent with your workouts and ultimately stay resilient to stress.

So much more than beauty sleep

Everyone has a different self-care routine when you’re getting ready for your wedding day, but one key ingredient for every bride and groom should be sleep. Without it, you risk overflowing your body with cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, which means you’ll be more prone to cravings, poor eating choices, and less training, all of which will play havoc on how you feel and how you look.

Instead, craft your own eight-hour sleep schedule and rev it up with the help of a powerful night-time facial mask to truly pamper your pores. Not only will the down-time be essential for your skin health and that bridal glow, but you’ll also notice a great difference in your mood, as your stress levels will float away.

Take active breaks during the day

When you work for hours on end, especially sitting at a computer, it can get difficult to find the strength to move on to another activity that demands zeal and vigor. This is a perfect opportunity to elevate your heart rate, get your muscles to work through the stress, and partake in a mild or moderate activity such as a walk in the park instead of a sedentary lunch break.

Light stretching exercises are also great between your work sessions to help you reduce muscle tension and keep your body in top shape for the wedding. Just make sure you take regular breaks and choose the right movements to get your whole body moving, and your mind will follow!

Dance it out

Let’s face it, on some days, you’ll have so much energy that you won’t be able to contain yourself, but on others, you’ll wonder how you can get up in the morning at all. It’s on those low days that you find yourself struggling to stick with your workout routine or your daily schedule. To help elevate your mood and keep your energy up, you can actually combine two activities: listing to your favorite tunes at home, and dancing to your favorite music!

Music is an incredibly powerful healing tool, it helps even people with chronic pain issues and severe anxiety and depression, which means you can use it as an ally to ward of pre-wedding anxiety with ease. Plus, you can burn more calories in the process.

Stress might be a natural part of the wedding planning process, and the sheer excitement might be more than enough to keep your mind constantly buzzing, but you can definitely prep yourself better and unwind regularly. Add more physical activity into your day, balance your energy, get enough rest, and the days before the wedding will be brimming with joy, sans the stress!

Things You Can Totally Skip to Simplify Your Wedding Planning

By Maggie Holmes

If you’re in the process of planning your big day, it might seem like your list of tasks will simply never end. It is indeed a huge responsibility and you probably want everything to be perfect, but you have to accept that some things might not go according to plan – it’s only natural. There are issues every bride is bound to face, so you want to minimize creating even more issues if you don’t have to. Simplifying your wedding planning is a great way to cut yourself some slack and save some money along the way. Here are some of the things you can totally skip.

No need for paper invites

We live in a digital age, so unless you are a huge fan of stationery, you can skip the paper invites. Not only is it expensive to have paper invites made, especially if you’re having them hand-made, but getting them to their recipients is also more complicated and time-consuming than if you just had to send an e-mail. Your invites can still look nice and sending them out will be a breeze!

You won’t have time for DIY

What you might not realize in the beginning phases of your wedding planning is that very soon, you will have too much on your plate. This is why this might not be the best time to try and DIY things like decorations for your wedding. You can save yourself from a lot of headaches if you simply accept this and go for pre-made.

Alternatives to a rehearsal dinner

Nowadays, traditional sit-down rehearsal dinners are not mandatory. No one will stone you if you completely skip them, but you can also add your own twist and substitute it with something else you feel more comfortable with. Look up some alternatives and you might get inspired, not to mention save some money.

Skip the intricate makeup

Of course, you want to look your best on your wedding day, but you also still want to look like yourself. No one is saying you should skip makeup altogether, but you certainly want to skip extravagant looks and too much maquillage on your face. Instead, it’s a great idea to go for simple, natural looks that enhance your beauty and won’t take hours to recreate. Get some temporary eyelash extensions for a natural-looking gaze, and pamper your skin with facials instead of slathering on a ton of foundation on the big day.

Forget about dance lessons

Amidst all the wedding planning, there is a high chance that you will barely have any time to squeeze something like dance lessons in your schedule. Unless the dance is a hugely important part of the wedding to you personally, don’t feel pressured to have a pre-made choreography and get every step right. The beauty is in the spontaneity of the dance, so you might as well skip dance lessons.

Favors are not mandatory

Another thing that is completely up to you is wedding favors. Sure, they are a nice gesture, but getting caught up in the details is unnecessary, as guests will probably appreciate anything, even if it’s not the fanciest. In fact, even if you skip wedding favors, chances are that everyone will be preoccupied with something else and won’t even notice. The same goes for welcome bags, unless you are to have a destination wedding.

Cut back on pinning

Finally, you probably can’t get enough of all the eye-candy on Pinterest. However, overdoing it is not a good idea. Once you’ve got a general idea of what you want your decor to look like, it’s a great idea to skip frequenting Pinterest every spare minute you have, as it will just make everything more confusing.

Wedding planning is crazy as it is, there’s no need to get caught up in details that won’t matter as much in the end. Instead, try to take some time to relax and simplify your wedding planning process a bit to make it more manageable. In the end, all that matters is that the two of you and your guests have fun.

Author Bio:

Maggie Holmes is a passionate blogger keen on writing about beauty and fashion. Her exclusive hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time.

You can follow her on Twitter at 

Instagram-Worthy Party Ideas

by Kacey Bradley

It's Springtime, which means it's almost outdoor party season. Before you create an event on Facebook, you'll want to think about a theme. This way, you can put your best foot forward — and throw a warm-weather bash that everyone will want to post on social media.

Look at these Instagram-worthy party ideas

A New England Seafood Bake

There's no better way to spend an afternoon than enjoying a seafood feast. With a few select touches, you can put a unique spin on this classic New England get-together. 

You'll want to create the perfect menu for your seafood soiree. After all, what's a clambake without the lobsters and potatoes? You can either grill or boil your shellfish.

Once you've settled on food options, head outside and set up a few tables. Traditionally, clambakes are super relaxed and casual — so don't worry about place settings. Arrange a large sheet of paper across each table and serve the meal directly on it. People can sit down and dig in as they please. Guests will love to take photos of the delicious bites and coastal decor.

A Fancy Casino Night

If it's too rainy or cold to throw a party in your backyard, here's a fun idea. Put on a casino night with snacks, drinks and games.

After you put together your guest list and establish a dress code, it's time to get to work. Clear out your basement or family room so you can arrange game tables. Feel free to hire a service so you have attendants in each area. Blackjack and poker are the most popular casino games. Of course, you won't want to forget the chips or play money, either.

Create a self-serve bar with a mix of cocktails and alcohol-free beverages. Don't forget to whip up some hors d'oeuvres in place of dinner. If you plan to throw a large party, consider a bartender and caterer. This way, you'll be free to enjoy your night. You can also set up themed backdrops for photos.

A Delicious Dessert Soiree

If you've got a sweet tooth, look no further. You can skip the appetizers and dinners and focus on just the dessert. Don't worry — if you're not a baker, you can still have a ton of fun with this idea.

Put up a ton of fun decor. Arrange flowers in mason jars and set out unscented candles. Then, think about what you want to serve. A cupcake bar is super Instagram-worthy. Guests can choose their base and add icing and toppings. Serve pitchers of sangria or other springtime cocktails. A dessert party works well for birthdays and bridal showers alike.

A Relaxed Garden Party

Springtime calls for beautiful flowers and plants. You can celebrate this renewed season with a garden party, with or without a garden.

You can head outside or stay indoors for this soiree. As long as you have an array of vegetation, you're ready to go. Hang ivy on your walls and tables. Place vases of tulips and daffodils throughout the space. Then, set out antique plates and cups. Serve different teas and snacks instead of a heavy dinner. You can also use sparklers to create a few memorable photos -and don't forget the string lights, either.

The best part of this party is that your friends can come dressed in their most elegant attire. White dresses and fairy crowns create an ethereal atmosphere, or you can stick with pastels instead.

A Family-Friendly Barbecue

Here's a terrific way to get the entire family together. Once the weather's warm enough, there's no better time for a backyard barbecue. Invite your friends and their kids for a day full of yummy food and exciting games. 

You'll want to make sure there's enough seating for everyone — coolers can serve as a chair in a pinch. Your menu should be diverse enough for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike. Go for grilled chicken and black bean burgers, along with an array of veggies. Put our pitchers of iced tea and lemonade.

Set up basketball, cornhole and badminton for entertainment. Children love to play with chalk, too. If it's an especially hot day, water balloons are always a hit. Give your guests disposable cameras so they can take a ton of pictures.

Throw the Best Event Ever

Whenever you want to throw an awesome party, make sure to consider these ideas. You'll enjoy a memorable time as you capture a ton of Instagram-worthy shots.

Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!

Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!

How to Stay on Budget When You're invited to Several Weddings

It almost becomes a rite of passage that when you reach a certain age, those wedding invitations don’t seem to stop rolling in. Some years it will feel like a wedding rush, your calendar is quiet for the most part, then all of a sudden there’s six different invitations in the mail. One wedding can be costly enough, but those years where you’re riding a wedding wave can be even tougher to manage. Should you get the special honor of being in any of these weddings, your demand for time and costs just went up even more. Get ahead on planning and try out these tips to help make the next wedding season an enjoyable one!

Jump on Registries

Once you get invited to a wedding be sure to keep tabs on their wedding website. Many couples can now consolidate a lot of information on their website which would include links to their registries. You’ll want to be one of the first people to shop for them so that you have the flexibility of options. If you wait too long you might get stuck sifting through gifts that were out of your price range. While you always have the option of writing a check, you might feel a lot of pressure to give more money than you would’ve spent on a gift. 

Photo by jordi pujadas on Unsplash

Closet Cheat Codes

Depending on your current rotation of clothes you own, you might feel the need to spruce up your wardrobe before wedding season hits. Maybe you want more comfortable shoes that are dressier than what you wear in your day to day. Or, perhaps you feel you are missing more formal styles appropriate for wedding events. Instead of having to splurge on clothes, you could try getting a group of girls together to do a clothing swap: wedding edition. This way you can extend your selection into that of your gal pals. If sizing or style issues arise, consider thrifting on an online consignment store. You could be the breezy, chic girl who shows up dressed to the nines, topped with a radiant smile all because you stocked up on discounted Free People styles before the start of wedding season. 

Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash

Room Rates

No matter where you are headed for the weddings, room rates rise and fall due to a number of factors that are out of your control. If you find that you’ll be having to book quite a few rooms during wedding season, you might want to think about joining a rewards or loyalty program. If you register with a booking agency, your points can be used toward many different chains whereas, if you sign up for a loyalty program you will be restricted to finding that specific hotel wherever you are traveling to. But, maybe by the end of wedding season, your last room will be free! When possible, utilize the discounted room block rates that couples will set up for their guests. If the wedding is within driving distance, you could ultimately avoid the costs of the room altogether.

Photo by Esther Driehaus on Unsplash

Combining Forces

Hopefully, you can find others to endure the busy season with. If money starts to get especially tight, take advantage of the fact that others may be feeling just like you. Offer to share rides when possible and split the costs of gas. If you and a friend are both traveling to a wedding, ask them if they’d like to share a hotel room and divide the cost in half. Better yet, if you know quite a few people who all would be interested in lowering the costs of an overnight, consider finding a rated rental house near the venue.

Party Planning: Ways to Celebrate Your Child's Next Birthday

by Kacey Bradley

Kids look forward to a few main events every year. They want to celebrate the start of summer vacation and open gifts during the holidays. Outside the time off of school, they also anticipate the fun that comes with their next birthday.

As a parent, there's pressure to meet the expectations of throwing a birthday party every year. You have to think about which of their friends will come over, who has food allergies and if they're old enough to go home without expensive goodie bags.

It's a lot to handle. Nevertheless, you can switch things up to make it fun for everyone. Discover party planning tips that will help you celebrate your child's next birthday with ease. 

1. Take Them to a Movie

Is your kid a movie fanatic, ready to go to the theater the moment a new trailer drops? If so, they'll love going to see a new movie on their birthday, especially if it happens to be when a favorite premieres. Take them out to dinner afterward or eat something at home for a simple celebration that requires nothing more than buying tickets.

2. Let Them Pick a Vacation

Kids dream about going to different places, like a new campsite or the beach. Why not let them spend their birthday at their favorite vacation spot? Give them a list of options within your budget and say the decision is up to them. They'll experience a fun activity, and you'll get to head out of town for a bit.

3. Try Old-School Fun

When you're bored of throwing birthday parties at home, call your local bowling alley for some old-school fun. Most offer discounts for large parties and provide food for the cost of renting out space. You can also invite your child's friends to meet you there and head back home for food after. It's always fun to host a bowling alley birthday party, especially when it's ultra-affordable.

4. Go Big With Entertainment

This year, go big with entertainment at your child's party. Get everyone outside with something fun, like water balloon fights or backyard races. If you want your child and their friends to use up all their energy, consider setting up a bounce house where they can jump for hours on end. You'll entertain everyone and give them something new to experience.

5. Countdown With Daily Activities

Make your child's birthday a month-long event when you create a daily countdown with special activities for each day. Think about what makes your kid happy, then decide what the surprises will be. You might give them an extra scoop of ice cream one night or let them have 30 more minutes with their electronics. They'll feel extra special each day, and you'll stretch out the birthday fun.

Give Them Extra Love

Everything you do on your child's birthday is a way to show them your love. Give a little extra this year by using a few of the tips above. Take them on vacation, rent a bounce house or do something fun each day. They'll shine in the attention, and it will quickly become the best birthday yet.

About the Author

Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!

Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!