Bride Anxiety – 10 Things They Worry About Before the Big Day

Planning a wedding is nothing short of stressful. When you’ve been dreaming about this one day for most of your life, it’s natural to want everything to be perfect.

You want everything to run smoothly.
You want everyone to have a great time.
And you want to find the time to have a little fun.

It’s enough to keep even the most organised bride awake at night!

Pre-wedding bride anxiety is very common, so don’t worry if you’re feeling a few butterflies on the run-up to your big day.

These are the 10 things brides worry about before the big day;

1. What if I get left at the altar?

This is one of the most irrational fears, but it plagues many brides on the run-up to their wedding day. Getting left at the altar is very unlikely to happen, but many brides entertain this nightmare thought at least once. If you are genuinely worried that your partner might get cold feet on the big day, don’t bottle up these feelings. Talk to your partner, and they will surely put your mind at ease.

If you’re worried you’re going to be the one to have second thoughts, consider speaking to a counsellor about why you might be feeling this way. It’s very common to have doubts before your wedding day, so don’t read too much into this one.

2. What if I can’t lose weight in time?

Brides are often under pressure to look a certain way on their wedding day, which prompts some pretty disastrous crash diets and workout routines. Instead of telling brides they have to be a certain size, we cater for gorgeous brides in all sizes.

We offer sample dress sizes up to a size 32, so you don’t have to worry about losing weight to try on dresses or for your big day. When you see how beautiful you look in your dream dress, you’ll quickly stop worrying about losing weight!

3. What if I don’t like the photographs?

If you aren’t used to being the centre of attention, it can be daunting to get dolled up for all your friends and family to see. Worrying about your appearance is the last thing you want to be doing on your wedding day, so make sure you surround yourself with positive people who make you feel good about yourself.

[TOP TIP] Getting to know your photographer beforehand can also help to ease some of your worries. The best wedding photographers know exactly how to coax the confidence out of a shy bride. Also, prepare a list of questions for your photographer so you know exactly what to expect on your big day.

4. What if it rains?

The weather is one thing that we cannot control, so there’s little sense in spending time worrying about it. But every bride worries that the weather will be miserable on her wedding day. As long as you’ve made provisions for a rainy day, this is one thing that you’ll just have to leave up to fate.

5. What if my hair and makeup isn’t right?

When everything needs to be perfect, many brides worry they will be let down by their hair or makeup. What if you have a breakout of spots? What if your hair won’t cooperate? What if you smudge your eye makeup? These are all very real possibilities, which is why a trial is essential to make sure you feel confident.

[TOP TIP] Ask your makeup artist for a touch-up kit so you can handle any mishaps throughout the day.

6. What if I trip walking down the aisle?

As your wedding day looms closer, you might start to worry about the specifics. What if you trip on your way down the aisle and the video finds its way onto You’ve Been Framed? It’s unlikely, but many brides worry they will forget how to walk when all eyes are on them.

This is why a dress fitting with your bridal shoes is essential. If you’re really worried, opt for a lower heel or flat shoe to put your mind at ease.

7. What if I hate being looked at?

Shrinking violets often worry about this the most. Remember that it’s your big day, so you can call the shots. You can skip the traditions that make you cringe and find a way to share the attention with your partner. But once you’re wearing your dress, with your hair and makeup done, we’re willing to bet you won’t mind a little bit of extra attention.

8. What if my guests aren’t having fun?

It might be your big day, but you’ll still be worried about what your guests think. It’s common to worry about throwing a fun party and keeping your guests entertained but remember that they are supposed to be celebrating your relationship. If your guests don’t like the music, don’t want to dance or aren’t enjoying the food, don’t let them bring you down!

9. What if I can’t invite everyone?

With many brides forced to drastically reduce their guest lists this year, this will no doubt lead to some awkward conversations. Planning your wedding party should be fun, but it’s often a source of stress when the venue and budget limit how many people you can invite.

This is one of the main causes of bride anxiety, the fear of upsetting or offending their friends and family when they are unable to offer a plus one invite. Failing to invite someone after they invited you to their wedding can also be awkward. The best way to resolve this is to be honest with your guests. All you can do is explain the limitations and hope they understand your position.

10. What if my bridesmaids go wild?

Bridesmaids are supposed to help you on your big day, but many brides end up worrying about their antics. You might worry about your bridesmaids falling out with each other, having too much to drink, showing up late, dropping out at the last moment, or trying to steal your limelight.

You can’t control what other people do, but you can control how you react to it. Try to stay calm and focus on the bigger picture. And by surrounding yourself with positive and supportive bridesmaids, you’ll be less likely to run into conflict with your bridal party.

How we can help

Bride anxiety is very common and we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t have a few sleepless nights prior to the big day, however, one thing that we can do is help brides find their dream wedding dress and accessories in a friendly and welcoming environment. We recognise that shopping for your wedding dress can be a huge source of stress, so we’ll do everything we can to help put you at ease. Get in touch to arrange an appointment today.