Say goodbye to pre-wedding nerves: Your bridal survival guide
Image: stockking / Freepik
For most of us ladies, the idea of our wedding day is something we've probably dreamt about since we were little girls.
It's that big, exciting milestone we've pictured countless times.
But eventhough planning our big day is meant to be fun and exciting, there are moments when it can be challenging.
While it's normal to feel a bit flustered as the big day gets closer, you don't want it to get so bad that you become completely stressed out.
Getting a handle on these pre-wedding jitters is key to making sure your day is brilliant and memorable, not just a blur of stress.
Here's how you can calm those nerves and actually enjoy the run-up to your "I do."
Acknowledge your nerves
First things first, it's completely normal to feel a bit anxious or nervous. Don't try to bottle it up or pretend you're fine when you're not.
Give yourself permission to feel those emotions. It's a huge life event, and a bit of a wobble is natural.
Talking things through with your partner, your bestie or a family member about how you're feeling can really help.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Prioritise self-care
When you're swamped with seating plans and flower arrangements, it's easy to forget about caring for yourself.
Whether it's a relaxing bath, a good walk in the fresh air, chilling with a book, or even just binge-watching your favourite show, it's important to take a bit of 'me time'.
Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating properly, and staying hydrated.
It makes a massive difference to how you cope with stress.
Take some time out.
Image: Monstera Production / Pexels
Delegate tasks
You don't have to do everything yourself!
Get your partner involved, rope in your bridesmaids, ask family members to help out, or if your budget allows, consider a wedding planner.
Even just offloading a few tasks can make a world of difference.
Focus on what matters
Sometimes it's the tiny details, like the colour of the napkins or the font on the menu, that can weigh you down.
But try to step back and remember that the day is about you and your partner, your love, and the commitment you're making.
Try to shift your focus from aiming for absolute "perfection" to simply creating a memorable day to celebrate your love story.
Remember that the day is about you and your partner.
Image: Alexander Mass / Pexels
Limit social media
Social media can be a blessing and a curse.
While it's great for inspiration, it can also set totally unrealistic expectations and make you compare your wedding to everyone else's.
Give yourself a break from endless scrolling through wedding photos and focus on what you want for your day.
Remember the end goal
When you feel the stress creeping in, just take a breath and remind yourself of the end goal: marrying your best friend and starting an amazing new chapter together.
Keep that lovely vision in your mind, and let it spur you on through those final bits of planning.
IOL Lifestyle
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Retired mother wins R30 million Lotto Plus jackpot, plans to buy daughter a car
The winner intends buying her daughter a car. Image: Supplied A recently retired mother from Cape Town has won more than R30 million in the Lotto Plus 1 jackpot, describing her win as a "retirement blessing" She plans to buy her daughter a car for safer commuting and invest her winnings wisely. The winning ticket, from draw number 2562, held on Saturday, was purchased at a retail store in Cape Town with a manual selection and a wager of R80. The woman, from the Western Cape, described the win as a 'retirement blessing'. She said she was still in disbelief. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'I still can't believe it. I keep looking at the numbers and thinking: is this really happening to me?' The winner retired last year and has since been supporting her two daughters financially. However, she revealed that her biggest worry had been her youngest daughter's daily commute to work. 'She uses e-hailing every day because she does not have a car, and I worry about her safety constantly. Now, the first thing I'm doing is buying her a car. That will give me so much peace of mind." Beyond providing for her family, she plans to invest the bulk of her winnings wisely and embrace a well-earned rest. 'I want to enjoy my retirement fully now. No stress, just peace. That's my dream.' Charmaine Mabuza, the CEO of Ithuba, the operator of the national lottery, said: 'We are thrilled that the winner wasted no time in claiming her winnings. To learn that she will finally be able to gift her daughter with a car that will help ensure a safer commute to work is heart-warming and will surely ease her anxiety. This is another testament of how Ithuba continues to transform lives through the National Lottery." THE POST
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
How much water does your washing machine and 10-minute shower use?
We break down how much water each appliance uses Image: Pexels Although the threat of Day Zero may feel like a distant memory, South Africa's water crisis is far from over. With average daily consumption sitting at 218 litres per person, which is well above the global average, reducing household demand remains critical. One of the best ways to save water starts at home: by understanding how much water our everyday appliances consume. Water use per appliance Washing machines are one of the biggest culprits in residential water usage, accounting for a staggering 23% of household water consumption. Depending on the model, the difference in water use per cycle can be dramatic. Beyond the laundry room, the following common appliances and activities show how quickly litres can add up: Showering Standard showers: 15 litres per minute Electric showers: 6 litres per minute A 10-minute standard shower can use 150 litres. Bathing A full bath uses around 80 litres Toilets Modern dual-flush: 4–6 litres per flush Older models: Up to 13 litres Leaking toilets can waste up to 400 litres per day Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Dishwashers New models: 14 litres per cycle On eco mode: As little as 10 litres Washing dishes by hand Running tap: 9 litres per minute Using a basin: 8 litres per wash Car washes Hosepipe: Up to 300 litres per wash Bucket: 30 litres Statistics According to a 2024 GCIS report on water and sanitation, South Africa is ranked among the 30 most water-scarce countries globally. South Africa sees an average daily water usage of 218 litres per person, far above the international benchmark of 173 litres. For those serious about conservation, one can do a simple water meter test: compare readings before and after using a specific appliance. To do this successfully, ensure that no other water use is in between. You can also try tweaking your daily routines. Small changes, like switching appliances and fixing leaks, can result in significant savings. IOL
IOL News
28-07-2025
- IOL News
This retired couple is making up for a lifetime of missed holidays
Chitlada Apisukh and Vichit Apisukh enjoy bowls of fish ball noodle soup at a local restaurant in Na Jomtien, Thailand. Image: Lanna Apisukh/The Washington Post Chitlada and Vichit Apisukh never took a vacation. Not when the young Thai immigrants met and married in Hawaii nearly 55 years ago. Not when they moved to Florida to start a family and open a restaurant north of Orlando. Not when they travelled around half the country, Japan and Thailand to support their children's athletic ambitions. Only after selling their business and emptying their nest did the Apisukhs finally take a trip for themselves. Now they can't stop. 'Life is about moving and seeing new things,' said Chitlada, the matriarch of the family, which includes daughter Lanna and son Jade. 'You have to get up and go while you can, because you never know when your last day is.' The retired couple rode along the St. John's River in Florida. Image: Lanna Apisukh/ The Washington Post Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ While many friends in their peer group are slowing down, Chitlada, 76, and Vichit, 82, are speeding up. Since retiring in 2012, they have visited multiple states, national parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore), New York City, Niagara Falls (both sides), Austin (for barbeque), the Pacific Northwest, Vietnam and Thailand. Their unbridled enthusiasm for new experiences and jaunty spirit inspired Lanna, a Brooklyn-based photographer, to document her parents on holiday. For her project 'Permanent Vacation,' she has photographed them braving Niagara Falls in Ontario; slurping down fish ball noodle soup in Na Jomtien, Thailand; scouting for alligators on an airboat in Lake Jesup, Florida; and chilling with their gadgets on a New York City hotel bed. 'I'm so proud of them. They worked so hard to get to where they are, and they really deserve this retirement lifestyle,' Lanna said. 'It's like a new chapter - they've been revived.' For most of their lives, the Apisukhs were tight on time and money. During her childhood in Bangkok, Chitlada, the firstborn daughter of Chinese parents, said her mother would give her 20 baht, less than a dollar, to cook breakfast and dinner for the brood of seven. A relaxing pool in Na Jomtien, Thailand. MUST CREDIT: Image: Lanna Apisukh/For The Washington Post At their restaurant, Thai Delight, Chitlada was the sole cook for more than 20 years. Vichit worked the front of the house, taking orders, serving the food, refilling water glasses, clearing the tables and even mowing the lawn to save $100 (R1 800) on rent. On Sunday, their one day off, the family would drive to Chinatown in downtown Orlando to purchase ingredients and other supplies for the week. When they weren't cheering on Jade at soccer games or Lanna at elite gymnastic competitions in the US and abroad, the Apisukhs would search for free family activities close to home. 'We'd always go to places with no admission, like the beach, or do things that didn't cost any money, like fireworks,' Chitlada said. As retirees on a fixed income, they still adhere to a strict budget, but they never skimp on their favourite activity. 'Number one is eating,' Chitlada said. Both adventurous eaters, they will try the local specialties, such as New York pizza, and sample dishes in different Chinatowns. In Bangkok, they will eat their way through the night markets, forgoing sleep for food. They are always up for a hotel breakfast. To stay fit, the couple bike, swim in hotel pools and larger bodies of water, and walk around malls, often logging 7 000 to 9 000 steps in one outing. 'Thailand is very, very hot. You can't be walking outside too long,' Chitlada said. 'Mall walking is our exercise.' They have not yet chosen the next destination on their permanent vacation. Maybe Alaska, possibly Western Europe. They finally have the time. 'Now I'm retired, and I want to go places and see things. I can't slow down,' Chitlada said. 'I often tell [Vichit], we better go now before you have to hold a cane.'
