You have spent months and months planning your wedding day, and it is finally here! Don’t be surprised if some anxiety pops up a couple weeks before and then they day of. Take a breather and let’s work through it together.
They don’t call it “the big day” for nothing. Your wedding day is one of the most important days you will experience in your lifetime and with that will come some jitters. That’s ok!
Let’s talk about a couple ways to combat these jitters day of.
Take a breath
When the day is going by in the blink of an eye and everything is happening so quickly, take a moment to pause. It can be as simple as stepping into the bathroom while getting ready, or stepping outside for a breath of fresh air. Close your eyes, block out any noises that are distracting and now count. Breath in for 5 seconds, breath out for 5 seconds. Repeat this a couple of times and then slowly open your eyes and ground yourself back into your day with a calm sense of excitement.
Take a walk and smile
If simply stepping into the bathroom or outside for a quick breather isn’t enough, completely remove yourself from the anxiety of the day and go for a walk. Grab your closest gal pal, a family member or go solo. Take a short walk to take yourself out of the stresses of the day and be alone with your thoughts for a moment. Think about how happy you are going to be once you see your soon to be spouse. Picture the fun you are going to have at your reception. Imagine what the end of the night will be or even the honeymoon. Force yourself to think those happy thoughts while you walk and smile. There is scientific proof that simply forcing yourself to smile, has an impact on your brain in the best way possible.
Each time you smile, you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness”
So when you are out walking, smile, because in that small way you are calming your nerves and stimulating your happiness and setting yourself up to really enjoy your wedding day.
Shake it off
You know that Taylor Swift song that was popular about 5 years ago? It was crazy catchy and went a little like this, “shake it off! Just shake it off!!” Well, yes Taylor Swift, you are right. When the wedding day jitters get too much, get up and dance it out! Put on your favorite music and grab your guys or gals to move and groove it. Physically getting up and dancing will release those good feeling endorphins and you will have a lot of fun goofing off and acting silly, that your mind will move away from your wedding day jitters.
Share your feelings of anxiety
Those around you are there for a special reason. Maybe they are old friends, new friends or family. But in any case, they are there for you no matter what. If your wedding day jitters are getting the best of you, speak up. There is absolutely no reason for you to keep your feelings at bay on your big day. If anything, those around might also be feeling some jitters and you sharing could be the perfect opportunity for you all to take a moment and hash them out together. You’ve got your gals and guys for a lot of reasons, but the number one reason should be to have your back. So speak up!
Sneak away with your soon to be spouse
Sometimes all the breathing, walking, sharing and dancing still wont be enough to calm your jitters. If you are the kind of person who knows seeing your spouse is what will do the trick, than I say do it. This is one of the benefits to having a first look because when you have a first look, it allows you the chance to come together and just be the two of you for the first time that day. And if you aren’t doing a first look and you have already had your ceremony, taking some time just the two of you during the reception can also be a wonderful way to recenter yourselves so that you are enjoying every moment of your day without stresses.
At the end of the day, know this, wedding day jitters are normal!! If you are anxious at all, you are not alone ❤️ We are all here for you, including myself, your photographer!
