Staying Sane on Your Wedding Day

Weddings can be a major source of stress for what is to be the best day of your new life. But what is the best recommendation of how to survive that special day without it ending in divorce, insanity or injury?

Oddly enough my best wedding advice came from my computer geek brother. He had already been married for ten years and seen all his friends take their turns down the aisle.

He phoned me shortly after my beloved and I were engaged and told me, "It doesn't matter what else happens that day, things will go wrong on your wedding day. The most important thing is if at the end of the day you are married, then it was a successful wedding. Nothing else matters."

He was right. From when my parents booked a barren beige room without consulting me to an hour before the ceremony when I saw the floral arrangements at the front of the church looked like spiky peacocks, I reminded myself of the bigger picture. I was marrying my true love. I took a deep breath and repeat my mantra, "The only important thing is getting married."

My perfect California spring day turned to rain then hail. Never in my life had I ever seen the snow come down so low on the mountains above Pasadena as it did on my wedding day. My bridesmaids turned the same bluish purple as their gowns. To roll with the punch, I had the photographer take a photo of us leaving the church under a huge golf umbrella borrowed from a guest. I love that picture.

People will tell you of wedding horror stories, don't lock your knees or you'll faint. Don't eat beforehand or you will throw up. Be sure to eat beforehand or you'll pass out.

My favorite is the one about a reception at someone's home. The large family dog had been locked up in the garage. The cake was delivered and placed on a table outside. At some point the dog quietly got out. When the family returned from the church there was a half-eaten cake and a dog covered in frosting. The happy couple made do slicing a sheet cake the caterer swiftly brought in.

My brother made sense, taking it down to the fundamental basics. No matter what does or doesn't happen that day; if you got married it was the perfect wedding.

Weddings can be a major source of stress for what is to be the best day of your new life. But what is the best recommendation of how to survive that special day without it ending in divorce, insanity or injury?

Oddly enough my best wedding advice came from my computer geek brother. He had already been married for ten years and seen all his friends take their turns down the aisle.

He phoned me shortly after my beloved and I were engaged and told me, "It doesn't matter what else happens that day, things will go wrong on your wedding day. The most important thing is if at the end of the day you are married, then it was a successful wedding. Nothing else matters."

He was right. From when my parents booked a barren beige room without consulting me to an hour before the ceremony when I saw the floral arrangements at the front of the church looked like spiky peacocks, I reminded myself of the bigger picture. I was marrying my true love. I took a deep breath and repeat my mantra, "The only important thing is getting married."

My perfect California spring day turned to rain then hail. Never in my life had I ever seen the snow come down so low on the mountains above Pasadena as it did on my wedding day. My bridesmaids turned the same bluish purple as their gowns. To roll with the punch, I had the photographer take a photo of us leaving the church under a huge golf umbrella borrowed from a guest. I love that picture.

People will tell you of wedding horror stories, don't lock your knees or you'll faint. Don't eat beforehand or you will throw up. Be sure to eat beforehand or you'll pass out.

My favorite is the one about a reception at someone's home. The large family dog had been locked up in the garage. The cake was delivered and placed on a table outside. At some point the dog quietly got out. When the family returned from the church there was a half-eaten cake and a dog covered in frosting. The happy couple made do slicing a sheet cake the caterer swiftly brought in.

My brother made sense, taking it down to the fundamental basics. No matter what does or doesn't happen that day; if you got married it was the perfect wedding.

By the way, remember to kennel the dog.