Feeling daunted at the prospect of stealing the spotlight on your big day? You're not alone.
'A day that's all about you', may sound like heaven to many, but to some introverts, it’s a concept that's not too appealing.
As an introvert, you can accept a compliment, be outgoing, and even love being the life and soul of the party. But the thought of spending a whole day socialising, and being the centre of attention, can often feel like a step too far. But there are ways to cope, and enjoy the entirety of the day.
How To Plan A Wedding as an Introvert
We share how to plan and enjoy your wedding day without fear.
Be clear about what you want, and don't want
If you would rather run over hot coals than do any public speaking, then don't feel pressured into doing it. If you are determined to share how you feel, host a more intimate celebration. You should find that speaking in front of a handful of loved ones is a lot easier than getting up and pouring your heart out in front of hundreds.
Spread the festivities out
Introverts typically lose energy by being around people for long periods of time, whereas extroverts gain energy from others. Therefore, if you're introverted, the idea of spending a whole day and night with friends and family sounds lovely. But it also begs the question, 'will there be time for a nap?!’
Planning to take a nap, or even just some extended alone time during the events of a wedding day, could be a bit of a logistical nightmare. So why not break up events, and plan a small ceremony for one day, and a reception for the next, or whenever you choose. That way you'll feel free to enjoy your wedding, with everything that entails. Without fearing a lack of energy.
Commit to managing your anxiety in the lead up to the big day
Wedding day jitters are one thing. But wedding day 'oh-my-god-I-can’t-breathe panics' are a entirely different ball game! If you fall towards the latter of the spectrum, it's best to be conscious of this early on, and create a plan for dealing within your everyday routine.
Start by making a conscious effort to meditate (or just take time out), write down a vision for the wedding, exercise and eat well. All of these things will make a huge difference to how you feel before and on the big day.
Don’t feel pressured to have a huge hen do
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of a big hen party production, it’s fine to have a small celebration, or break it up into several ‘manageable’ ones. Maybe go for something low-key with your bridesmaids, like a chilled night in with a couple of bottles of wine. And then plan a separate occasion for people from work, or ones you're not so close to.
Remember, this is your hen-do, so don't feel like you have to do what'll make other hens happy.
Keep your bridal party small
It can be a struggle to shorten the list, but doing often produces less drama during the wedding planning process. Alongside a more relaxed getting ready experience on the big day.
If you’re struggling to cut the list, plan instead to just get ready by yourself, or with your maid of honour before the wedding. That way you'll know there will be a significant portion of the day allocated for alone time.
Rethink the top table setup
Many brides find that if public speaking is an unpleasant experience, then eating in front of people can typically be too. If that's you, break away from the top table tradition, and opt to sit at a round table in the middle of our wedding breakfast. Guests can still see you, but having family and friends huddled around will make it feel more intimate – in a good way!
Ditch the solo first dance
As long as your guests are fed and have a drink in their hand, no one will really care if you ditch the first dance, or better yet, opt to dance to a pop song instead!
You could also have that romantic first dance, but with all of your guests surrounding you. Sharing the spotlight with loved ones should certainly make the experience less anxiety inducing.
Whichever first dance style you choose, make sure to let your wedding DJ know, and they'll be able to set the mood and make sure you're not left adrift on the dancefloor alone.
Take solace in sharing the spotlight
While there might be times during your wedding when you'll want to hide, it’s important to embrace the day, and accept you will be the centre of attention. But, one of the best things about this is, you're not alone. Sharing the spotlight with your partner is a wonderful thing, and you should feel like they're there to support you.
Don't be afraid to take a moment away from the celebrations together, just to soak it all in, and enjoy each other's company.
Every bride feels anxiety leading up to, and on their wedding day, there are just different levels of fear. But by following some simple steps, you should feel like it's possible to enjoy & cherish such a special day.
If you fear the bridal shopping part of your wedding day too, let us guide you through your wedding dress journey.
Book your appointment here
Claire & Christine xx
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