"Getting married has been inflated in all of our minds, especially for women, because of both the history of marriage and the fairy tale we've all grown up with," said Ben Michaelis, Ph.D., of New York City (https://www.drbenmichaelis.com/). While getting married can be a dream come true, it can also be one of the most stressful times in a bride's life. Dr. Michaelis says to focus more on what comes after the ceremony -- the love and happiness of being a couple -- instead of on throwing the "perfect party," having to accommodate two different families (and their friends) and worrying that everything should go off without a hitch.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the bride could have the wedding of her dreams and actually have a chance to enjoy the gala? An easy fix to this dilemma would be to hire a reliable and reputable professional wedding planner -- and allow yourself to trust what she has to say. A wedding planner can manage all of the planning and the implementation of said plans and can quickly and quietly handle anything that goes amiss during the event. Sounds like a dream come true, but short of hiring this miracle worker, what are some of the tricks brides (and sometimes grooms) can use to make their day memorable for all of the right reasons?

Especially if you are the one doing all the planning and execution for the wedding, there are some things you can do to help alleviate the weight on your shoulders. The betrothed couple needs to talk between themselves about the wedding THEY want, the number of guests, the type of venue, the officiant(s), and preferences as to date and time of the affair. Make an organized list with full details of what to do, including making your PROPOSED guest list (number) and a list of vendors, determining your budget and creating your registry. If you are using an online wedding site, many offer (semi) personalized wedding checklists, including a schedule that you can just mark off as things are done. Just knowing that you have thought of everything (and won't forget to do anything) will help you to remain calm.

Don't be afraid to delegate chores, but don't demand; ask. Your bridal party will often be quite eager to help you. Your mother and your future mother-in-law will both probably want to be involved in your plans, so don't be afraid to let them know YOUR vision as you welcome their assistance. If you are using an online planning tool, be sure to invite all of those who will be helping so that they can help check off tasks as they are completed (make sure you are the only one who can change parameters). Not only will a lot of burden be taken off your shoulders, but those helping you will be more likely to cooperate and help you reach your desired outcome.

In the meantime, be sure to take some time OFF from wedding planning now and then and just spend time with your love; after all, this is what your wedding is all about: the future for the two of you. Make it a ritual for you and your love to celebrate the milestones achieved as you approach your wedding day. Whether you do it as a couple or just by yourself, practice yoga and meditation and just breathe in calmness. Invite your bridal party to a yoga class for both bonding and calming. Don't waste time with worry about a perfect wedding day; instead, focus on the marriage and the time the two of you will have together. Accept that if something truly relatively minor, such as table napkin colors, is wrong, it isn't going to change the love you share with your future spouse.

The day of the wedding, make sure you are rested and nourished. Allow your bridal party to pamper you with a glass of wine while you get ready (just one; you don't want to be too tipsy). Play some calming music as you get ready and break out in an impromptu dance party with your attendants while you are getting ready if you need to break the last-minute jitters. And if possible, share a moment with your betrothed before all the commotion of photographers and guests.