It's nearing the big day. The planning, organizing and scheduling has been completed and now all that's left is the walk down the aisle. If you're like most brides, though, it's likely that while the details have been taken care of, you're still stressed out. So how to be calm and at ease as you make your way towards the alter? Easy if you follow Chatterberries' top 10 calming tips:
1. Hire a day-of-coordinator.
2. A day or two before the event, make a list of each garment and accessory you will need for your wedding day.
3. On the morning of, take a long soak in a hot bubble bath.
4. "Let your vendors do their jobs," says Donnie Brown, celebrity wedding planner on the Style network and author of Donnie Brown Weddings from the Couture to the Cake.
5. Make sure you schedule your wedding day prepping so there's plenty of extra time for all that needs to be accomplished - it's better to have a few spare minutes in between hair, makeup, dressing, transporting to the church or synagogue, than to be harried, rushing from one activity to the next.
6. Set up a telephone call time in advance with your fiance, so on the day-of you can affirm your love for each other in private. Keep it brief, but intimate and soothing.
7. On a dietary note, Brown suggests that you eat protein on the morning of the wedding. "Yes, you are worried about looking perfect in your gown, but it might be hours before you get to eat, if you eat at all.
8. Keep your expectations in check. Seeking perfection in every single detail will strain your nerves.
9. Make sure everything is paid in advance of the wedding day, says Donnie Brown. "The last thing you want is to have to deal with payments on your big day.
10. If you feel really frazzled as you wait for the ceremony to begin, a few deep-breathing exercises will help calm your nerves, but so will laughing-a few days before the wedding, ask your bridal party (presumably your best pals), to jot down some funny stories you've shared in the past. On the day-of, while you're all together, read them out loud.
