Stress-Busters for Your Daily Routine
While the new couple are flying high and simply giddy, integrate a few stress-busters into your daily life. Then they'll already be part of your routine once the really tough stuff starts.
- Pick your favorite exercise, and stick with it. Whether it's yoga, kick-boxing, or spinning, give this activity a few hours each week.
- If you both have something that calms your nerves -- be it reading, painting, or collecting rocks along the shore -- don't always put wedding plans ahead of this activity. You'll stay calmer, make sounder decisions, and enjoy the entire planning process more if you stay relaxed.
- Learn to ask for help. Delegating makes everyone feel better: It makes both or your Moms feel as if she has a vital role, and it puts less on your to-do list.
- Don't forget one of the most important reasons you are getting married to each other -- because you love spending time together. Once a week go on a date, and ban any talk about the Big Day.
Newspaper and Magazine Announcements
Newly engaged couples often send an official announcement to their local newspaper and/or city magazine. They need to contact the publications to find out the submission deadlines, run dates, and photo requirements (you may want to keep an engagement photo log with key information). Be sure to keep track of the newspapers and magazines contacted so you both can buy up plenty of copies when the announcement is published.
A proper announcement includes:
- Bride's full name
- Groom's full name
- Bride's mother's name
- Groom's mother's name
- Bride's father's name
- Groom's father's name
- Bride's parents' hometown and state
- Groom's parents' hometown and state
- Wedding site city, state
- Season, month, and/or date of wedding
It is not recommended that the couple include addresses, since they will receive many wonderful gifts during the next few months and don't want to tip off burglars.
Engagement parties often occur soon after making the official announcement. Presents are not generally given; if, however, someone does bring a gift, be sure to promptly send a thank you card. It's an easy gesture to forget, since about now both of your minds are focused on wedding plans, and you probably do not yet have official thank you cards printed.
Did you both get through the budget, timetable, rings, and announcement without a hitch? Good for you! If not, take a deep breath. It will all work out, and there's a lot more to do! Let's move on to find out more about making the guest list and selecting invitations in the next section.
