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6 Freeman Newspapers A Bride's Guide 2016 Ixonia Firemen's Hall Call today to set up an appointment and discuss Wedding reception details A variety of catering options available to best suit your needs. Call 920-261-2419 N8345 Park St., Ixonia,WI 53036 Convenient to I-94 PARK ALSO AVAILABLE Hall available for anniversaries, company parties, Christmas parties and business meetings. Ixonia Firemen's Hall includes 2 bars & a hardwood dance floor, considered one of the finest in the county! 248556002 Join us for Polka Dances Every Sun. 1-5pm Jan. – April Tame wedding day nerves When couples tie the knot, many changes are in store, many compromises will be made and many lasting memories will be created. But in the weeks and months before their big days, couples can easily get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning, never taking inventory of their feelings until their wedding days have arrived. Come their wedding days, couples should not be surprised if some nerves set in. A survey from the anxiety self-help resource The Fear Source indicated 71 percent of brides-to-be suffered from some type of nerves during the lead-up to their weddings. Ninety-two percent of brides experienced nerves on the day of the wedding or the evening before, while 66 percent reported that it affected their daily lives prior to their weddings or hampered their performance and enjoy- ment during the day itself. According to Psych Central, a modern online voice for mental health information, emotional support and advocacy, pre-wedding jitters are common and can be the subconscious trying to tell a person that something needs to be remedied. Wedding nerves do not mean a wedding is doomed; it just means certain issues may need to be worked through. The following are some ways to tame wedding day nerves. • Keep an open dialogue. Speak with your future spouse about the things that may be causing your anxiety. Maybe you have doubts on financial choices or where you will be living after the wedding. Communicating openly and honestly is one of the foundations of a strong relationship. • Slow down and breathe is a big one. Wedding planning involves making many decisions, and sometimes couples move at breakneck speeds. Make slowing down a priority. Try to enjoy a quiet dinner with just the two of you and stay connected. This is even more true after the wedding! When enjoying peaceful moments, take deep breaths, which can be calming and revitalizing. If need be, consider signing up for a yoga or tai chi class to force you to slow down. • Address performance anxiety. It's easy to build up the big day in your mind and hope that everything goes according to plan. But it's impossible to plan for each and every outcome on your wedding day. Focus on everything that can go right, rather than worrying about what might go wrong. Also, realize that your guests are your friends and family members who will be forgiving of any hiccups along the way. You're bound to recover gracefully from any mishaps. Reside to the fact that no wedding goes perfectly every time. • Work on confidence. Wedding fears may stem from inadequate self- confidence. Give yourself a pep talk and surround yourself with positive people. Keep the worry-warts at arms' length for the time being. • Recruit more help. Weddings are huge undertakings, so it's no surprise that couples sometimes feel overwhelmed. Ask your parents, reliable relatives or friends to double-check all of the last- minute details. This way you don't feel it is all on your shoulders. Wedding days nerves are to be expect- ed and often have little to do with the decision to get married. Planning such a big event can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to combat any anxiety that builds up as the big day draws near. When the day is over, all that will really matter is the love the two of you have shared with the guests who have shared in your special day. Pets can be part of your special day Pets play important roles in their owners' lives and are increasingly includ- ed in more activities, such as vacations, dining out and even weddings. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters says more couples are customizing their wedding celebrations and bridal parties to include pets. Dogs and cats are turning up in wedding photos as well as trips down the aisle. Some pets even serve as ring bearers. Before giving your pet a job for the wedding, consider his person- ality and temperament. How does the pet react around crowds? A dog or cat accustomed to a quiet home may behave differently when placed in a room full of excited people. In addition, confirm that pets are allowed inside your ceremony space. Certain venues may not allow animals that are not service dogs. Make sure to inform guests that an animal will be present, so those with allergies can take precautions. If it isn't practical to have animals in the ceremony, give them a primary spot in wedding or engagement photos. Consider hiring someone to pet sit after photos whether or not your pet is able to attend the ceremony or reception. Let someone else care for Fido while you mingle with guests but don't leave them out of the day if you don't want to. Second weddings can be as special as the first! Couples planning to get married do so with the intention of spending the rest of their lives together. Few couples exchange rings thinking divorce or the loss of a spouse is in their future, but some marriages do end. Happily, that reality does not prevent many people from seeking happily ever after again. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that many people who were married before are deciding to take the plunge another time. Four in 10 new marriages in the United States now include one partner who was married before. Roughly 42 million American adults have gotten married a second time — up from 22 million in 1980. The Pew study also discovered that more men than women are likely to get remarried. Around 65 percent of previously married men have a desire to remarry, compared to 43 percent of previously married women. Men and women about to get remar- ried can consider the following tips to help make the day one to remember forever. • Recognize that a second wedding is in no way less important than the first. Couples should remember that this is still the first wedding for the two of them as a couple and it should be seen as just as special as any other wedding celebration. It's easy for men and women marrying again to be hard on themselves, especially when thinking ahead to the gifts that were given and the money spent by guests for their previous marriage. But a new relationship and love is worthy of a good party. Friends and family who are supportive of you shouldn't have reserva- tions about helping you celebrate. • Don't feel boxed in by old-school etiquette. Rules have relaxed with regard to weddings. Many couples put their personal imprints on their weddings and do not feel the need to conform to first time expectations. You don't have to skip all of the frills of a first wedding the next time around or head to the local court- house and pass on another big wedding. Do what feels comfortable to you, whether that means throwing a big party or hosting a smaller affair. continued on next page