It’s a beautiful sort of chilly weather today and it’s left a feeling of such calm. It can start one thinking of how stressful life can be without these moments of calm.

We, here at Creative Grace Planning, know how tough the process can be amid roses and color palates. On that note we want to give you a few ideas on how to stay calm throughout what should be a fun and happily memorable process.

Feel free to drop your own ideas in the comments for us to share with our future brides!

1. The Calmest Playlist

If you’ve never made a playlist titled, “CALM DOWN”, our team highly recommends it. 30 minutes of some smooth holiday jazz, inspiring instrumentals, or classic blues artists can seriously change the theme of the day. Music is a powerful motivator and relaxer. It can help us release those intense feelings and unclench our jaw long enough to gather our wits and move forward thinking clearer. If you got up and danced for a minute or two, you may find a dopamine spike can jump start your thoughts as well (and that’s an official CGP recommendation).

2. Bring Your Hobby

Whether you are home or out cake tasting- you will want to have something that reminds you of you. A sketch book and pencil, a pack of colored pencils and notepad, a journal, a favorite book (or one you’ve been wanting to read). Your hobby is important, because it can be easy to get lost in the planning process, but you can bet your future spouse will thank you for taking a few minutes consistently to do something that reminds them of the person they’re marrying. No one wants to watch their love turn into a wedding planning goblin. You will thank yourself later for those 15 minute breaks that may even inspire your thoughts in between the feelings of planning obligation.

3. Small victories, small rewards

Did you know that people tend to perform better when they have a clear reward at the end? For wedding planning there is an obvious reward at the end- you get married! But what about getting through the process? A bag of small chocolates, a new nail polish, a french-fry run- all of these are small things you can reward yourself with when you reach small planning milestones. Not only does it feel good to get a reward but it can keep you more excited throughout the process. It’s truly the little things in life 😉

4. Break Days

There is a reason people don’t work 7 days a week. There MUST be rest to recover and build momentum for the work week. That works in most walks of life. If you are feeling highly anxious, then it might be time to plan a day (yes, plan) that you do nothing wedding related. That way you know that you won’t be planning appointments, responding to wedding-related texts and emails, or recording the RSVPs. If someone asks you questions about it, you will be able to say, ‘today is free of wedding related business’ and breathe a sigh of relief. If you’re really bad at taking breaks, make sure you ask your partner to keep you accountable. You could even make it a date outing!

5. Homemade Hot Cocoa

You can’t go wrong with something warm and cozy. This recipe is homemade mix that will last you a couple weeks. It’s anti-inflammatory, mood-boosting, full of antioxidants, can balance blood pressure, and a host of other things. Make the mix and add 1-2 Tbsp to an 8-10oz glass of hot, full-fat coconut milk (or preferred, but the full-fat coconut has that good healthy fat!).

Hot Cocoa Mix:

2/3 cup powdered cacao (not cocoa)

3 Tbsp. turmeric

6 tsp. ground ginger

6 tsp. ground cinnamon

3 tsp. ground black pepper

3 tsp. ground black cumin (commonly known as nigella sativa)

*Add a Tbsp of honey for a slight sweetness amid the strong spice

We hope we can help you find some peace and rest throughout your planning process with some or all of these suggestions!

Until the next time-

Our Warmest,

CGP