It’s engagement season! Statistics highlight that while the monthly rate of proposals hovers around 7%, that average more than doubles in December. In fact, more than a third of all proposals occur between Christmas Eve and Valentine’s Day.

We probably all know of someone that said “yes!” this holiday season, and if that someone is you, I extend to you my heartfelt congratulations and wish you a fun and smooth planning process, leading up to the wedding of your dreams.

Weddings can be stressful and overwhelming. There are lots of choices to make and several elements to organize; opinions can clash, and at times it can be difficult to compromise. It’s important to remember the significance of this momentous event:

You and your fiancé have made a conscious choice to unite in love and life, and your wedding should be a celebration of that choice.

Sweet Earth Co. designed wedding florals for Alison & Bryan in the Lake Katonah Club clubhouse, transforming a simple space into a lush, romantic destination.

Here are some suggestions for enjoying the wedding process and throwing a mindful and meaningful wedding:

Prioritize What’s Most Important to You and Your Fiancee

Make a list of all the must-haves, identify how you want to feel on your wedding day and what you want your guests to remember. When you feel overwhelmed, return to this vision and list of priorities to help get you back on track.

Relationship therapists can also help. Relationship therapy is not just for when marriages are in trouble. In fact, it can be the foundation of a successful marriage. Dr. Michael Finkelstein and therapist Robin Queen Finkelstein, founders of The Slow Medicine Organization, developed a program they call The Skillful Wedding, where they lead you and your partner in exercises that help clearly establish a shared vision for your marriage and help you build skills for communicating effectively.

Religious and spiritual leaders can also be resources for establishing and maintaining good communication throughout the wedding process.

Partner with Vendors Who Align with Your Values

From the officiant, to the wedding planner, photographer, floral designer, venue, caterer, musicians and the many other vendors that play a role in your wedding, chose to partner with those that are dedicated to a positive, mindful and professional approach.

Aimée Newlander, Owner of Weddings By Aimée, and Founder of the Slow Weddings Network, describes the importance of ensuring that your wedding encompasses who you are. As a wedding planner, she keeps focused on your vision and brings the calm, patient and organized confidence you need your planner to have in order to ensure that you have “your wedding your way”.

When it comes to flowers, couples choose to partner with our floral design studio because they value fresh, local and sustainably grown flowers. At Sweet Earth Co., we go beyond providing one-of-a-kind floral arrangements inspired by the seasons.

We focus on bringing mindfulness and creativity to your wedding in order to make it original and special. Nurturing our relationships with our clients is just as important as nurturing the flowers in our fields.

Weave Meaningful Elements into Your Wedding

These can include personal details that are meaningful to your love story or important family traditions. Take inspiration from what makes the two of you a unique couple and celebrate that. There are many ways to make your wedding meaningful and personal. Choose a venue that pays tribute to where you met or grew up; wrap the stems of your bouquet with a cloth or ribbon belonging to a special family member; or skip the cake and serve up your favorite dessert instead.

Keep Your Date Nights Going

Don’t let planning your wedding take over your life. Nurture yourself and your relationship with weekly exercise and meditation. And be sure to make time to have fun together with no wedding-talk allowed.