Planning a wedding is a lot of fun and a great time but it is also going to stressful at times, that is the way it goes! In fact, if you are not feeling some degree of nervousness- even excited nervousness- leading up to the wedding then something is wrong! Although it is the most amazing and exciting time in a lot of people’s lives but for those individuals who live with a chronic illness, it can be even more stressful to try and plan a wedding that is perfect and memorable for all the right reasons. Planning a wedding with a chronic illness that needs to be considered can be a huge undertaking for a bride and groom. There are also new things to consider that others do not have to worry about and new questions that have to be asked and answered. Should I eat before or after? What kind of dress or tux can I wear? What do I need to bring with me to the ceremony? Do I have enough of my medication on hand? What do I do if I don’t feel good that day? Is the venue suitable for my needs? How long should the ceremony go before I get too tired or sick? The list goes on and on. For many people who suffer from a chronic illness planning a wedding and making it through that day can be one of the biggest and also most rewarding challenges they have ever tackled.
Chronic Illnesses are Both Visible and Invisible
Here at Cashmere Dreams, we have helped many couples plan their perfect wedding day and this includes couples where either the bride or the groom deal with a chronic illness of some kind. The biggest thing we want people to remember is that not all chronic illnesses are visible. In fact, many are invisible. You may be able to see signs of things like Diabetes is the person wears an insulin pump or Rheumatoid Arthritis if their back is bent. However, you may not be able to see signs of cancer if the treatment doesn’t cause their hair to fall out and many illnesses have no outward signs at all such as fibromyalgia and lupus. It can be a challenge living with a chronic illness, but it is still possible to have your dream wedding if you know how to plan and adjust to accommodate your medical needs and limitations. Planning a wedding with a chronic illness can be a challenge it is true but there is help available! Our wedding planning experts here at Cashmere Dreams can help you plan a wedding that is just right for you by working with your illness rather than against it to create a wedding that is as unique and beautiful as you are. Here are just a few of the things we talk to our chronic illness couples about during our planning:
Communicate Effectively
If you want your wedding planner to be able to tailor a wedding to accommodate your needs as far as your illness goes, they have to know everything they can about you and your condition and your symptoms. For example, if you have Diabetes then your wedding coordinator will need to have your insulin if you do self-injections, or have other emergency glucose treatments if needed. They will also need to be familiar with your insulin pump if you use one as well as what your symptoms are so they will be able to determine if you are having an episode and can spring into action. This goes for any other chronic illness that needs treatment or that could have serious side effects if not carefully monitored and controlled the day of your wedding. You have to be able and willing to communicate clearly and effectively with your wedding planner and the Cashmere Dream team is always ready to listen and learn and assist! So, be sure you keep the lines of communication open, speak up, be honest, and don’t be afraid to tell your wedding planner when something will not work or if you have a concern about something for the ceremony. Communicate and you will be able to accommodate any needs you have!
Tailor-Made Comfort
Planning a wedding with a chronic illness requires you to think ahead and plan for what might happen and do your best to expect and plan for the unexpected. Picking out the dress is often considered to be one of the most fun experiences of the entire wedding process for many brides. And for many grooms getting a tux is a fairly simple and straightforward process that doesn’t have a lot of stress involved. However, when you have a chronic illness to contend with the process of finding the right attire for your wedding can become much more complicated. Keeping your comfort first and foremost is key, because no wedding is any good if you look great but are miserable and can’t enjoy it because you are in pain or are uncomfortable. If you wear an insulin pump consider a dress that can easily accommodate the pump under a train or cape or a shawl. If your illness affects your ability to stand and you use braces then make sure your tux pants are a little loose so they fit comfortably. And if your chronic illness means you are confined to a wheelchair, you can still find dresses and tuxedos that will look great and feel great. The wedding planners of Cashmere Dreams can help you find and plan for the right attire that keeps you safe and comfortable while also looking your absolute best!
Consider All Care Options
There is a lot that goes on in the days and weeks and months leading up to most weddings and these times can also affect your health when you have a chronic health condition or illness. It is important to think about all care choices, meaning all of your health and wellness needs and all the care that you will need leading up to that big day. Stress can affect a healthy person so someone with a compromised immune system or health condition can be affected even more so. Talk to your partner, your health care team, and your wedding coordinator to see what can be done to reduce the triggers that could cause problems for you. For example, someone who has cancer and is currently getting chemotherapy treatments or radiation is going to have a unique set of symptoms to deal with. You may be tired or in pain, you may be nauseous and unable to eat most days, or you may have other limitations on what you can and cannot do. If you are actively getting chemo or radiation you may have to wear a mask other than during your actual wedding to avoid getting sick beforehand. By working with your health care team, we can ensure you take steps to protect yourself before and during your wedding.
View as a Learning Experience
As most people with a chronic illness come to learn, there are daily opportunities to learn or teach. You are either learning a new way to accommodate your illness and still do things you enjoy in life or you are finding an opportunity to teach others about chronic illnesses. You will likely have to teach your wedding coordinator, photographer, caterer, and anyone else involved in your wedding plans at least something about your condition and your unique needs. We here at Cashmere Dreams believe that situations like these are wonderful opportunities to teach people and to come together as a team to overcome an obstacle and create a beautiful and memorable wedding. Planning a wedding with a chronic illness means shifting tasks and responsibilities and it can also mean being willing to make a few compromises for the sake of your comfort and safety. Giving up control on any aspect of your wedding can be hard but when you have a chronic illness you have likely learned that while you can do most things on your own you still need a helping hand at times. That is what we are here to do, to help you put a plan into place and let people take some of the burden off of your shoulders. By doing this, you allow yourself the space to breathe and enjoy the moment without being overwhelmed by your symptoms and your illness and allowing you to focus on your dream wedding!
Help For Planning a Wedding With a Chronic Illness
To learn more about what Cashmere Dreams can do for you and how we can help with your wedding day plans, visit us online or call us today to make your consultation appointment! Planning a wedding is a big undertaking in the more normal of circumstances. Add to that a chronic illness and things can get overwhelming very quickly. When you work with our wedding coordinators and planners, we will assist you through every step of the process and with every aspect of your wedding. If you need help with specialized dresses, food-restricted catering services, special photography needs, or anything else, chances are we know a local vendor who can make your wedding dreams come true! Let us show you how easy it can be to plan a wedding that is everything you want and need while also keep your comfort and safety and well-being front and center. Get the wedding of your dreams with your chronic illness rather than in spite of your chronic illness. Planning a wedding with a chronic illness can be hard but you do not have to go at it alone! So, call us today at Cashmere Dreams and see the difference friendly and professional wedding planners can make for your wedding. We are here ready to serve you and to help you get a wedding you will remember with a smile!
Content written by Sarah Jo Lorenz-Coryell
