It’s long been a tradition for couples to exchange I do’s, host a big party for friends and family, and hop on a plane to an amazing destination to celebrate becoming husband and wife.
If only it was that simple.
Couples feel pressure to make their wedding day special and fun for all those who attend. Picking the venue, making sure it’s decorated with light and beautiful flowers, sampling food and cake everyone will enjoy, finding the perfect dress, choosing between a band or a DJ, and making sure everyone has a ton of fun.
Worrying about all of the details that go into planning a picture-perfect wedding can be downright stressful, which gave way to a new wedding trend: weddingmoons.
A weddingmoon is a pre-wedding vacation more and more couples are taking to get a break from wedding-related stress. These trips are giving couples a chance to pause, slow down, blow off some stress, reconnect and enjoy time with each other before their big day and all of the wedding-related festivities.
The stress that comes with planning a wedding is all too real. Sometimes stress can be positive, keeping you alert to avoid danger. But it becomes negative when you continuously face challenges without relief or relaxation in between. This can lead you to feel overworked and triggers stress-related tension.
When stress continues without any relief, it can lead to distress, which is a negative stress reaction. This condition can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain and problems sleeping.
Constant stress can affect your immune system, making you more likely to get sick. Continuous tension from stress can lead to neck, shoulder and low back pain. If you already have stomach problems, stress can worsen your symptoms. Stress can also worsen skin problems like acne and psoriasis.
Those symptoms can be tough enough to deal with, but then tack on all of the little crises that pop up before a wedding – this leaves you feeling less than blissful for your big day and can even cause a vicious cycle of stress.
Weddingmoons don’t have to be long trips– some couples opt for smaller, less extravagant trips than the traditional honeymoon. They can be long weekends away at a destination just a short flight away, giving them enough time to forget about their stress while enjoying quality time together.
Others choose to have their weddingmoons at health and wellness retreats, where they really focus on their health, relaxation at a spa and possibly losing the last five to 10 pounds to make their dress and tuxes fit perfectly on their wedding day.
If you’re planning a wedding and feeling completely stressed, first, remind yourself why you’re planning this big day. Then, if the stress gets to be too much, a weddingmoon might just be perfect for you and your significant other.
Photo from I Thee Dread.
