How Grooms Can Deal with the Pre-Wedding Nerves
Getting married is generally a terrifying prospect for the groom. Unless you’re a man of steel with no doubts about the commitment and no worries about the day itself, you’re going to feel the fear in the final hours before the big moment. Your natural impulse will probably be to head for the hills and hide in a cave until everyone goes home, but you know that you have to get up there and say “I do”. So what can you do before the wedding to help you keep your crippling anxiety under control?
If it’s the “commitment” part of the whole ordeal that concerns you then the best thing you can do to help ease your mind is to talk to married couples. Finding out what they felt on the big day and how they dealt with it will help you to understand that you are far from alone. You might find the occasional story of a dysfunctional response to the stress – like the groom catching a taxi to the airport – but you’ll also find some gems of information, advice and most importantly, reassurance If you’re still scared half to death at the thought of standing at the end of the aisle and saying your vows then consider doing something crazy, like a bungee jump, to prove to yourself that you can handle terrifying situations.
If your anxiety is being caused by worries about the planning and administration of the big day itself then that can be easier to deal with. Check that everything is in place and everyone knows what they’re doing a week or so before the big day, and then trust that all is under control and try to forget about it. Micromanaging the wedding until the moment you take your place at the top of the aisle isn’t going to help things. Get outside with your mates for a bike ride or a round of golf – enjoy your last days before tying the knot and chat with your friends about any fears you have.
On the morning of the wedding itself you could consider going to the gym and lifting some weights to release some excess nervous energy, and you could follow this up with a bit of TLC – have a professional massage or a shave. Make yourself look good and it will help you feel confident enough to handle the pressure in front of all your friends and family.
Another important thing to do on the morning of the wedding is to eat something substantial. You might feel like anything more than a slice of toast will make you violently ill, but you should try to get a decent amount of food down you – chances are you won’t get a chance to eat until after the ceremony, and you need all the strength you can get. Breakfast on the wedding day is also a great opportunity to go over any final thoughts or worries with your best man and ushers, giving them a chance to help calm your nerves.
No matter what, remember that you’re not alone and remember why you’re getting married. If you truly love your bride to-be then nothing else matters. In the end you’re only up on display in front of everyone for a little while. Afterwards you’ll have the reception, the honeymoon and years of marital bliss ahead of you, which will more than make up for a bit of stage fright!
Author Bio: Written by Michelle Rider at Braxted Park Weddings. Braxted Park is a licensed wedding venue in Essex, with capacity ranging from 50 to 300 guests. Braxted Park offers exclusive use for the day and boasts the highest level of service for wedding receptions in Essex.
