I've started checking the weather forecast for May 15, which means my wedding day is truly upon me.
One of my bridesmaids got married a couple of years ago, and I was also a bridesmaid at her wedding. I will never forget how calm, composed and euphoric she was throughout the day. We all listened to music, chatted and snacked in her hotel room while having our hair and makeup done, and never once did she seem anxious or stressed. She was also completely unbothered by the torrential downpour outside.
Her happiness and relaxed manner were contagious, and I really think it carried through the ceremony and reception for everyone involved.
I'm going to try to emulate my friend on my wedding day, but I'm not sure how successful I'll be.
Part of being relaxed is being prepared, so I asked celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss what items every bride should keep close on her wedding day.
The full Wedding Day emergency kit list can be found in Mindy Weiss' "The Wedding Book." She says she brings one to every single wedding.
What about the ultimate in-case-of-emergency item, wedding insurance?
In "The Wedding Book," Weiss says insurance for your wedding is calculated according to the cost of the event and is definitely worth considering.
"The more you're spending on your wedding, the more you stand to lose if a hurricane wipes out your wedding site, the florist goes bankrupt two weeks before the wedding or the groom gets a sudden case of appendicitis," she writes.
But for most couples, it seems the wedding is a leap of faith, just like marriage.
When it comes to wedding insurance, Weiss says, "I have never had a couple that has taken it."
I will be getting married in 100 days. What are some healthy ways to cope with the stress of organizing this wedding? I know things will not be perfect on our special day. How do I cope when situations come up that I had not anticipated, or situations ... have gone horribly wrong?
"I truly believe there is always a solution," Weiss says. "It is all about how you choose to deal with it ... and things will come up! Begin taking yoga or Pilates, and you will really notice a change not only in your body but in your temperament. Oh, and keep your eye on the prize. Once you realize that it is all about the moment of "I Do," how you got there won't matter so much."
CLICK HERE to visit Mindy's Web site.