Got Cold Feet? How to Cope with Pre-Wedding Jitters

“Cold Feet” – the phrase sure packs a dirty punch when it comes to wedding planning. We’ve all heard the stories; we all know it happens…we just hope we don’t find ourselves as the next glaring “Runaway Bride” headline. So what if the thought of walking down the aisle yields feelings on the chillier side of euphoria? Don’t panic. Most of the time, feelings of fear just signal a case of pre-wedding jitters. But just to be sure – better check your symptoms…

This article on pre-wedding jitters addresses these feelings and offers insight on whether they're merely a case of cold feet - or reasons to call off the wedding.

Getting Married? Plan for a Healthy Financial Future Now

If every couple devoted as many hours to strengthening their relationship as they do to planning their wedding, U.S. marriage statistics would boast a brighter tale. The high divorce rate proves combining two lives in wedded bliss requires more than a knack for stamping a monogram atop every unembellished surface. So just what is the key to a healthy marriage? A healthy financial portfolio, apparently. Financial woes are one of the main stressors in a marriage and a primary cause of divorce.

It’s easy to see why love and money don’t always mix. Polite society has banished the subject of money, which joins religion and politics in the prohibitive club of taboo discussion topics. Commingling the concept of dirty, cold, hard cash with that of pure, virtuous love is therefore decidedly uncomfortable. Single people grow accustomed to treading the financial landscape alone during the first phase of adult life, and suddenly marriage enters the equation. But rather than addressing the financial impact of “me” becoming “we,” the topic becomes the proverbial pink elephant in the room.

In a perfect world, an honest financial discussion occurs long before the sparkling diamond adorns your left finger. But if you’ve been negligent, and you know who you are, there’s still time to lay your financial cards on the table. A wedding is often the first big ticket item for which a couple plans and saves, and it provides an obvious opportunity to bring this taboo subject into the open.Now’s the time to set a precedent for your financial future. Elegala.com's list of financial planning tips for to-be weddings offers advice on what you need to do now to avoid some of the major roadblocks confronting couples when balancing their mutual checkbook...

His Bachelor Party - How to Deal...

So you just overheard your man’s buddies brainstorming the dreaded bachelor party….ugh. There’s nothing like the vision of a beer-goggled groom-to-be ogling scantily clad women named after inanimate objects that makes even the most grounded woman shudder in her stilettos. It’s no wonder why the traditional bachelor party isn’t high on a bride-to-be’s list of exciting wedding-related milestones. Here’s the reality: no, you can’t throw a tantrum to halt the festivities, but you can take a few steps to make sure your guy’s final send-off doesn’t leave you wanting to off your guy.

Here are five tips to help you cope with your fiance’s bachelor party.

Take the Marriage Compatibility Test!

Being a bride-to-be is certainly fabulous – a sparkling rock on your left hand, a valid excuse to go overboard on shopping (you need those Manolos for your honeymoon, after all), parties thrown in your honor, blowout arguments with your fiance… Uh, I beg your pardon?

Of course we jest – but there’s a hint of truth here. Remember, the engagement period is more than the time needed to plan a big party; it’s also the trial run for your marriage and future life together. The bottom line? Discuss potential challenges and disagreements now, not after you’ve cut the wedding cake.

So take the marriage compatibility test to see if you're really meant to be. The guide walks you through a list of the top pre-wedding discussions to have before you say “I do.”

Wedding Traditions - Meanings behind Common Rituals Explained

Traditions and customs… modern weddings have tons of ‘em. Flowers, rice, something old, something blue..., you know the drill.

Have you ever thought about how all these wedding traditions originated or what they actually mean? I know I have. The folks at Elegala.com did some research to bring curious brides, grooms - and anyone interested - the the meaning behind some of the most popular wedding traditions and rituals, including the bridal shower, wedding rings, ring on the left hand, garter toss, wedding flowers, getaway car and many more.

Stress Management Guide for Brides

As a bride-to-be, you’re bombarded with a growing pile of tasks demanding your attention, and the resulting stress can overpower what’s supposed to be a joyous time in your life. Instead, emerge from the pile of fabric swatches, font styles and contracts and ..…just….breathe. During your engagement, step away from wedding planning, and take time to enjoy yourself as a fabulous single woman.

Sure, kicking your heals up and relaxing as your task list expands exponentially may sound impossible. In reality, allowing yourself some time to rejuvenate will not only reduce wedding stress, it will ultimately make your wedding planning more efficient. Have you ever tried going for a morning run without a good night’s sleep the night before? The same applies to wedding planning.

This stress management guide for brides offers four methods to reduce wedding stress.

How to Juggle Wedding Planning with Your Career

Get some useful advice to ensure that planning a wedding doesn't conflict with your job and professional life.

(In other words - no surfing the web for wedding dresses when you should be preparing TPS reports!)

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Are You Turning into Bridezilla? 5 Tips to Avoid the Monster Inside

Let’s face it, most women don’t set out to become difficult and obnoxious when presented with a marriage proposal and the task of planning a wedding. Bridezilla clichés aside, sometimes the stress in coordinating the details brings out the worst in even the most laid back of women. We all swear it won’t happen to us, but sure enough, there we find ourselves – arguing fiercely with our fiancé about the font style on our place cards or bursting into tears when the mother of the groom adds five more people to the expanding guest list.

It’s easy to do – engaged women are inundated with detail-driven messages expounding elusive images of “perfection” and “fairytale.” From custom labels to custom lighting, the list of “must have” wedding essentials grows exponentially. Meanwhile, the billion dollar behemoth that is the wedding industry sits back and cashes in on the mania designed to ensure the flawlessness of a woman’s “big day.”

So while the critics sit back and label us “bridezilla,” the reality is that our sometimes fanatical behavior is somewhat warranted and perpetuated by those around us. Deep inside every bridezilla is just a woman who fell in love and decided to celebrate a lifelong commitment. The problem lies is getting back to her.

Afraid that you fit the bridezilla bill? Here are 5 steps to help you Avoid Bridezilla Behavior and return to the person you were before the madness ensued.