It’s natural to feel nervous before big events. When those big events are truly life-changing and are performed in front of all your friends and family, it’s even more natural to feel stressed. That’s why we have come up with top tips on how to calm down wedding nerves.
In the lead-up to your wedding, you of course have an idea of what you’re letting yourself in for but are often too busy planning to realise it. It’s only on the day, or maybe the day before that reality sets in. That’s why these tips can all be used at the last minute.
The night before the wedding
It’s only natural to feel nervous the night before your wedding. If you’re lucky, you’ll have your family and girlfriends around you to help you keep calm. If it isn’t working, try these simple steps.
Manage adrenaline
You know when you’re nervous and you feel butterflies in your stomach? That’s adrenalin. Adrenalin is a hormone that helps us achieve the impossible, lift huge weights, run faster than we thought possible, and survive things we normally couldn’t. It’s an important element for our survival but it’s only useful if you’re in one of those situations.
You can control adrenaline by forcibly relaxing your muscles, breathing deeply. In through the nose and out through the mouth. You can also visualise yourself somewhere calm and happy like the beach or spa. Adrenalin will drain from your system and you should begin to feel better.
Sleep
While sleeping while nervous is probably the last thing you want to do, it’s the one thing that can help your body cope with stress. If you’re too wired, have a warm bath or read a book and relax. Gradually you will lower your blood pressure and relax enough to sleep even a little. It all helps.
Exercise
If you’re active, doing exercise can help burn off adrenalin and calm nerves. Schedule a gentle class, do some yoga, go for a run or bike ride, walk the dog a few miles more than usual. Choose whatever exercise you like and whatever works to tire you out.
Don’t overdo it and be careful not to exhaust yourself. You want to burn off some nervous energy, not exhaust yourself so you’re tired the next day!
On your wedding day
Again, it’s completely natural to feel nervous on your wedding day, we all do. Some people are better at hiding it than others, but every bride is nervous however much they may deny it. Try these tips to calm your nerves.
Delegate
A bride is allowed to be bossy on her wedding day so don’t be afraid to delegate. Nicely of course! Once you know everything is covered and all is as it should be, the stress level should lower naturally.
Try a herbal remedy
There are a number of herbal remedies that actually work to calm nerves. One we know for sure is Bach Flower Remedies. Try them well in advance of your wedding day to ensure you don’t react to them. Then use a calming one on the day. Bach Rescue Remedy is our weapon of choice here.
Go for a walk
While your time is precious on the day itself, taking the dog out or going for a short walk before getting ready can help calm nerves, put everything into perspective and relax you. Just keep an eye on the time!
Take a minute
Chances are, you’ll be surrounded by people, be prodded, made up, arranged, dressed and fussed over for the majority of the morning. Don’t forget to have a few minutes to yourself to calm down. Sit in a room and listen to music alone, read a book, a magazine or something for 15 minutes or so to take your mind off things and relax.
Eat something
Sometimes a light meal can settle nerves or at least calm those butterflies. Plus, you’re burning nervous energy so will need to replace that energy to see you through the day. Try to eat little and often and graze while you’re getting ready.
Have a drink
While we certainly wouldn’t suggest getting into the habit of having a drink every time you’re stressed, your wedding day is an exception. Have a small whisky or something to calm your nerves. Just restrict it to the one. You don’t want to be drunk on your wedding day and don’t want to have whisky breath when you say I do!