If you feel overwhelmed by the downtime between proposing and getting married, you’re not alone. Proposals are romantic and make you feel like you’re on top of the world. But marriage is a lifetime commitment to another person. It’s okay to feel scared by the prospect of getting married. Even if you love your partner and don’t want to leave them, you can still experience anxiety about what comes after the big day. This anxiety can overshadow the job of the big event. Here are three strategies to help you get in the right headspace for your wedding day.
Design Your Own Couples Retreat
If wedding planning is taking over your life, it can help to take a break and spend time with your partner on a couples retreat. Some companies organize pre-planned retreats for couples who are about to get married, but if that option isn’t for you then you can design your own. You can even involve family and friends by building a registry with wedding gift ideas you can use to pamper yourselves before the wedding.
You should tailor your couples retreat to the interests you share with your partner. Here are some examples:
- Visit NYC to see a show on Broadway
- Go on a road trip to your favorite camping spot
- Book a romantic cabin in the forest
- Experience a food tour of New Orleans
No matter what type of experience you want, the most important thing is that you take the time to connect with your partner. You can discuss your shared values and what you think makes a healthy marriage. It’s also the perfect time to share your anxieties and let your partner empathize and support you. By talking and spending quality time together, you will remember why you chose that person to be in your life and all your worries about marriage will float away.
Fly Solo to a Destination on Your Bucket List
If you’re worried about losing your independence after marriage, you should plan a solo trip before the big day and visit one of the destinations on your bucket list. Traveling is a great way to relieve stress and gain experiences that enrich you as a person. By going alone, you can demonstrate to yourself that you still have the ability to fly solo, have fun, and solve problems. This kind of confidence is important when going into a marriage.
Whether you need a three-week journey through Europe or you just want to spend five days in New York City, it’s important to take time for yourself and prioritize your needs. In fact, when you come back home, you will have a whole book of amazing stories to share with your partner, and that will help you reconnect and build trust. Perhaps your partner can take a trip and bring back stories to you.
Set Aside a Weekend for Friends and Family
One of the best ways to get in the right headspace for your wedding day is to spend time with friends and family. These are the people who know you best, and they can help you find your center when you’re spinning out with anxiety. Having a community is not only important in life, but it’s also a critical resource to have after you’re married. There will always be bumps in the road, and by nurturing your network of loved ones, you can make sure that you have support when you need it.
It’s not easy to overcome anxiety and fear, but by reframing your mindset with these strategies, you will find that getting married isn’t as terrifying as it seems.