So last time I gave you some hints about what will keep you sane during your wedding preparation in Sanity Tips for the Bride to Be. Here are a few more that will help you keep perspective and learn to cope with all the pressures, expectations, and details that go into planning a wedding. You dream about it and have waited for it, but you didn’t know how overwhelming it all can be. Take a deep breath whenever you need to. Plan with a martini in hand from time to time. And enjoy yourself. This is a special time for you.

1. Your wedding is about you and your fiancé. No one else, not even your own mother, not even your mother-in-law to be, can tell you how this day is going to go down. This day is a celebration of two people finding each other and committing themselves to one another. So add the personal touches you want to add. Don’t let yourself get bullied into having Aunt Rosa do the reading if you don’t want her to do it. Make sure you and your fiancé are happy with the plans and let the other opinions fall away.

2. That being said, exercise diplomacy. It is a delicate dance you are about to embark on, so find quick solutions to family and social pressures. So you don’t want Aunt Rosa to do the reading, but you don’t mind if she asks people to sign the guest book. Voila, Aunt Rosa is happy and you don’t have to listen to her mispronounce words in your reading. Compromise where you can, because your family will want to be included. Make sure any compromise you make won’t cause you to be bitter. Do everything you can with an open heart, and if you can’t, then don’t do it.

3. The small stuff is exactly that, small. Don’t add to your burden. If you find yourself freaking out about the accent ribbon on the favors and your blood pressure is bordering on dangerous because of it, take a step back. Breathe. Remember what is really important. You won’t even notice a lot of the details on your big day, so don’t add to your stress by sweating little things.

4. They actually do mean well, even though they are annoying you to no end. Say this to yourself over and over again before you react to something. Let the things that can fall off your back go, and address what you need to so you can have peace of mind.

5. Find a moment in the day for just the two of you. It will go by in the blink of an eye, and you want to make sure that you and your husband have the same memories. You want to be able to look back on this day 30 years from now and remember a special moment. Find some time for the two of you to slip away, even for two minutes, so you can look at your new spouse and revel in the family you just created.