Plan, Plan Plan.

You need to start planning ahead as early as possible. From getting an early head count to planning the menu well in advance, you’ll feel much better knowing that you have at least one part of the day under control.

Lists are your best bet to avoid getting stressed out. Keep a master list of everything you need to do, along with smaller daily to-do lists and of course grocery lists. And then of course there’s the “Honey Do” list, which brings us to…

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Get your family to help clean and get ready for the big day. They can run errands for you, help set the table, decorate and cook along side with you.

Ask every guest to bring a single dish. With everyone chipping in it will quickly add up. Ask those family members and friends who are “culinary challenged”, to bring some chips, drinks, or even napkins and paper plates.

Don’t forget to ask them to help you clean up afterword either.

No one expects you to handle everything on your own. If you try and feel frazzled, they’ll feel uncomfortable and won’t enjoy the day as much.

Are you worried about getting drilled about the same questions?
Practice in advance how you’ll answer those questions. If you know you’ll get questions about weight gain or your husband’s lost job, prepare yourself in advance with answers.

Practice your answers to some of the questions you’ll be getting. If you can repeat the answers out loud enough before the event, you’ll feel more confident answering them when the time comes.
If you still feel uneasy about the event, tackle it with a friend or hang out with a likeminded family member. Or have a secret signal with your husband for “help” so he knows to come rescue you.