Recently, CareerCast released the list of my stressful jobs of 2014.  #5 is Event Coordinator.  Here is the full list:

1. Enlisted military personnel
2. Military general
3. Firefighter
4. Airline pilot
5. Event coordinator
6. Public relations executive
7. Corporate executive (senior)
8. Newspaper reporter
9. Police officer
10. Taxi driver

CC Skley

Many of these jobs include putting your life in danger or protecting the lives of others.   However, event planner has been on this list for years based on physical demands, travel, deadlines, and more criteria.  I have my own reasons why.

• We take on the stress of planning so that you don't have to.  Deadlines, what deadlines?  
• We are responsible for the planning, design, logistics and execution of any event we manage.  That is a lot of decisions and task lists. 
• High stakes - Not many people realize the amount of work that goes into planning and managing an event and weddings, some of which are once in a lifetime.
• If something goes wrong, we try to our best to fix it whether it was our fault or not. 
• While it looks glamorous, we are usually busy with meetings and appointments and then spend 10-15 hours onsite the day of the event.  
• Bridezillas...enough said!
• Making sure that your event looks good, reflects your business and stays within your budget. 
• The unexpected...Murphy's Law, weather, power failures, transportation breaks, sickness, accidents...plague, famine, locust....
•  Unrealistic expectations.  TV, Pinterest and blogs have set brides up for failure; the price tags for those stunning events are rarely revealed. 

Stress has never been good for anyone’s health and planning a wedding can create enormous pressure.  It does not matter whether you’re are planning your own wedding or using a professional, either way you are likely to undergo a stressing moment.  It is very important that you consider ways to reduce your wedding stress.  Reducing stress benefits your health as well as calms your mental and emotional state which can indirectly benefit your relationships. 

Part of this stress comes from the fact that you want to accomplish all of your ideas and details for your special day. Usually there are many things that need to be completed while planning a wedding.  Such pressures include organizing the venues, decoration and décor ideas, to handling the guests. 

There are a few activities that can reduce stress from any area.  Getting exercise is one of the best ways to handle stress and stay in shape.  Another common method is relaxation; this could include a massage or a long soak in the tub to ease away stress.   Last it is important to realize that getting plenty of sleep is crucial during the wedding planning process.   Lack of sleep can cause inability to concentrate, memory loss or fatigue. 

These techniques can help you relax and reduce stress; however, it is important to remove the cause of the stress.  If the wedding pressures or time constraints become too much to handle then you should seek the advice of a professional wedding planner.  A planner will provide you with time assistance as well as tips and guidelines.    

If you plan your wedding well, you are likely to reduce the wedding stress from the start.  One easy way to do this is to delegate some duties to close friends and family members.  Most brides receive offers of assistance but aren’t sure how to use them.  You can use these offers for simple tasks such as picking up printing, stuffing envelopes, or gathering addresses from their side of the family.  There is no need for you to do everything for yourself since you will definitely need a helping hand.

Reducing wedding stress is the best thing that you can actually consider if you want to have a beautiful and successful wedding.  

Now that you are engaged, we know that stress can set in as you try to deal with the myriad of details that threaten to engulf you.

You have a number of decisions to make about ceremony and reception locations, the date, what to wear, who to ask to be your attendants, whom to invite, what flowers, music and photographers to select. There are budget questions to solve. All these choices can generate a case of "wedding jitters."

To relieve your stress or make it manageable, remember these key points.

If the stress is generated by money issues, take the time, as a couple to determine your priorities. List the things that are most important to you both. Determine the top five items from a list of 10 to 20. These five - listed in priority order, are the items on which you are least likely to compromise. Then, as you review your budget, you can "borrow" from other items on you list to keep the budget in balance.

If the stress is coming from family, be clear about the source and be firm about communicating your feelings. Talk out the issues you see with parents, friends and those involved. Be gracious but firm about expressing your views and concerns.

Don't just "stuff" the feeling so that they end up ruining a friendship.

If the stress is coming from the crush of events and the sense of being overwhelmed by everything you sense much be done, the key is to SHARE the responsibilities.

Hire a wedding planner, enlist the groom, ask your parents to take over specific jobs. Get yourself a wedding planning book and be faithful in entering plans made and following its suggestions for organizing your projects.

Get enough sleep, and take care of your health by eating well. Make good use of your gym membership and exercise away the stress.  Read more about reducing wedding stress. 

When it all seems too much, come speak with me, an experience consultant, who can help you put it all in perspective and remind you of what is truly important in this wedding.