Five Tips to Lessen Stress While Planning a Wedding

While caught up in the whirlwind of planning a wedding, it is easy to forget to take time for yourself. Suddenly, in addition to responsibilities at work and at home, you find yourself faced with coordinating dates, contacting vendors, setting appointments and making decisions at every turn--it’s exhausting!

A truly radiant bride starts inside: do whatever it is that makes you feel restored. Stress is nearly impossible to avoid, but incorporating the tips below can help alleviate some of the extra tension you may be feeling during this exciting (and crazy busy) time.

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Drink enough water. Every system in your body depends on water and even mild dehydration can leave you feeling tired and drained. Getting at least eight 8-oz glasses per day is a good rule of thumb. I read somewhere (maybe on webmd, but more likely buzzfeed) that drinking a very cold glass of water when you're feeling a bit tired can actually help perk you up! 

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Sleep well. Seven to eight hours are generally recommended and not making your Zzzz’s a priority (always over Yyyy's in my book) can have negative effects your health, memory, and overall mood. Create a bedtime ritual and make sure your bedroom is quiet and comfortable to ensure the best rest. 

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Get up and move. Even regular, moderate-intensity exercise can help boost energy, improve your mood, reduce your risk of serious health conditions, and increase your chances of living longer. Make it fun, find a partner in crime, or try a pursuit new to you to incorporate more motion into your day. Trust me, I'm not saying you should be a crossfit trainer by your wedding day, but a nice walk in the evening after dinner is really quite a nice way to get on the move. Plus, if you want to take your future hubby along, it's a nice way to unwind without technology and just be with each other. Ooo, segway... 

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Unplug and unwind. With the vast amount of wedding inspiration available to brides via the internet, feeling overwhelmed is all too common. Instead of investing hours scrolling through Pinterest night after night, filling up board after board, pick a new recipe to make with your main squeeze and log off. The time you spend experimenting and working together to make a meal can help connect and center the two of you--it might just become a new family tradition!

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Live Luxe. We think you’re wonderful every day, but while you’re planning a wedding, you ought to feel extra fabulous. Treat yourself to a massage, indulge in a new piece of statement jewelry, or splurge on the nicer bottle of wine just because; spoiling yourself a little falls under the umbrella of self-care in our book and goshdarnit, you deserve it! 

Whether your wedding is fast-approaching or still far away, your engagement can be a happy, crazy, busy, exciting, hectic, frenzied time. Taking care of yourself should be a priority everyday, but it is especially important leading up to your wedding. To (mis)quote Audrey Hepburn, "Happy brides are the prettiest brides". Remember to slow down and celebrate this exhilarating time because The Big Day will be here before you know it!

by Annastasia Gabbert

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What They Wore: Our Favorite Looks From The Met Gala 2014

Happily, there never seems to be a a lack of events in Hollywood and New York for us to Ooo and Aah over. Last weekend the Hollywood Elite (and a few C-listers tbh) got dolled up in their finery to hobble down the red carpet and get their photos taken at the annual Met Gala. This year's theme is "Charles James: Beyond Fashion", and if you aren't familiar with that name, you can read more about "America's First Couturier" here. 

Here I have compiled a collection of my favorite gowns from the red carpet. 

Designer Jason Wu with Dakota Johnson
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Here's another, just because.

Dakota Johnson
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Eveningwear in Navy seems to exude class. Add some volume to the skirt right at the hip, some train action, and a sparkly delicate top and you've got a winning combination. I'm thinking do this in Ivory or Blush and I'll get married in it. 

Unlucky-in-love-but-can-sure-write-a-song-about-it Taylor Swift
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Blush pink is definitely her color, but probably so is red, blue, green, yellow, brown, well... anything really. I love the feminine scoop of the neckline and the way this silhouette flatters her 6 foot frame... not to mention the beautiful bow in the back and the train. Beaded and embroidered satin silk organza never hurt anyone, except my heart knowing this gown will never fit me! Here's a close up of the embroidery and beadwork...

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Model Liu Wen
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

The peaks at the neckline conjure up memories of a certain Vivian Westwood dress in a certain Sex and the City movie, which I loved then and still do now. Charles James (for whom this Met Gala is themed) was known for his highly structured aesthetic, so it's no surprise that many of these dresses offer a bit of 3D interest and excellent pattern cutting and construction. 

Emmy Rossum
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

I was surprised I liked this look so much if I'm honest, but canary yellow and purple go so well together here (not just in my garden). While the silhouette is a bit Snoozefest2014, this print elevates it to the next level. 

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

These two look as happy and in love as ever standing next to each other in nude and navy, sparkles and velvet, peas in pod. 

Model Arizona Muse
Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images

Let me just say this. If I could wear something like this every day doing everyday things, I would. This reminds me of the costume presentation scene in To Catch a Thief (worth watching just for that!... and Cary Grant), but without all the sparkles and masks. 

Favorite cheerleader Hayden Panettiere
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

A rather huge, yet subtle floral print on a silk taffeta pink and purple ball gown makes me happy. Wedding dress, perhaps? 

Charlize Theron
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Charlize doing her thing in black and white with red carpet all over. I love the draped jacket over her shoulders for real, but I'm not sold on the ear cuff. 

Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

This unexpected little number made it to the top of my list. Balmain-esque (maybe it is) piecing and hardware makes me a little jealous I don't have a leather jacket anymore. There's a lot going on here; gold metal, leopard printed calfhair, black leather, belt thing. Simple makeup and hair really was the ticket to pulling this off. Could have lost the earrings? 

Designer Olivier Theyskens and Felicity Jones
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Standard tux. Gorgeous dress. The piecing of the satin gives this gown a ton of visual interest without going over the top. Feminine sweetheart neckline with a bit of a bustle at the back and a sweep train make this the winning black number from the evening. 

Janelle Monae
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Capes are coming, watch out. While at Bridal Market this year we started to see little hints of them around the bridal and accessory booths. The shoes however, have got to go... with a different outfit.

Cobie Smulders
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Simple ivory, low-cut, sheath silhouette, figure hugging top... then BOOM. Can't get enough of gold leaf right now. That reminds me - I need to go to the craft store and get some gold leaf for the side table I'm refinishing like this (post about that later).

Isabelle Huppert and Naomi Watts
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Sequins, beads, petals, paillettes, feathers, scales, illusion neckline, tulle, silk... just throw it all together and you'll get this incredible duo. Okay, maybe there aren't any feathers or scales, but it looks like it. I adore this menswear-inspired-but-keepin-it-ladylike suit covered in sequins (or beads), and Naomi went a little wild with her dare I say Black-Swan-meets-Bjork-Swan? 

Tell me what you think! Did I miss anyone? Did I get one of these wrong?

Let me know below, I'd love to hear your opinion...

xxoo Suz