Weddings are stressful. Period….end of story. There is no getting around the stress that comes from what is supposed to be the best day of your life.

If a bride says she wasn’t stressed while planning her wedding then

1) she’s lying

or

2) she’s a robot (they don’t have emotions or nerves)

I tend to do better under stressful situations. However, when it came to wedding planning I turned into someone I don’t ever want to go back to. I NEVER want to be that Kirstie ever again…..I’m sure my husband feels the same way!

What was supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life….turned me into someone who was terrible to be around. Constantly stressed and on edge. Usually I am always stressed and worried about something but it was out of hand when it came to wedding planning.

If I could go back I would change a LOT of things. That is why I wrote this letter to future brides so they don’t make the same mistakes.

Dear Future Bride,

     First off congratulations on your engagement! That is very exciting and I am happy for you. Just think about all those pretty decorations and beautiful touches you’ve always dreamed about. Ohh it will be so beautiful but…..I have to pop your bubble real quick. Your wedding will NOT look like your board on Pinterest, everything will NOT go the way you have it planned in your head, and you WILL have Bridezilla tendencies. Guess what? IT IS OKAY!! This is a day that most girls dream of their entire lives. It is supposed to be the day where you get to put on that beautiful dress and feel absolutely gorgeous. But there are other important parts….you know….that man you’re marrying. Don’t make him regret proposing, more importantly don’t run him off before the wedding. My husband and I fought more during the wedding planning process than we have during our whole relationship. You are going to be stressed/worried and on edge but make sure you aren’t taking that out on your future hubby. 

     When things aren’t going the way you have planned….take a deep breath and stay calm. I know it’s easier said than done…and I know it’s easy for me to say that now. I was in your shoes and I know your pain. I honestly don’t know how I didn’t stroke out from the stress. Make sure you are taking care of yourself and aren’t getting carried away. When you can’t get a certain detail you want then find something similar or go in a completely different direction.

     Your wedding day is supposed to be a celebration of you and your husband becoming one. A day where your love becomes more than just being someone’s girlfriend/boyfriend. A day where you show your commitment to your future husband that you will love him and be with him through thick and thin. Notice that I did not mention anything about the wedding planning. Those decorations, expensive invitations, or 15 layer cake aren’t going to matter to a hill of beans in a few years. Yes they will be gorgeous and a wonderful memory…but…they have NOTHING to do with your marriage. Your husband may not remember those decorations but he will always remember how you treated him before and on your wedding day. I try not to regret things but I would definitely changed some things I done when it came to my wedding.

     I have three things I want you to definitely take away from this letter; let the little things go…if you can’t find [insert your color] napkins it’s not the end of the world, don’t try to get all the bells and whistles (less is more…less stuff the less problems that can arise), and FINALLY enjoy your wedding day! The last statement is the main thing I wish I could change about my wedding day. I was so stressed and wanted things to go perfect that I treated my wedding like it was an event I was working. BIG MISTAKE. Please don’t make the same mistake I did. Enjoy your day with your now husband and set a good stage for the rest of your marriage. If that is the only thing you take away from this letter than my job is done.

     I wish you a lifetime of happiness and I hope this letter helps you in some way. Happy planning and try to stay CALM!

Sincerely,

A Woman Who Knows Your Struggles