Wedding stress is something all brides feel to a greater or lesser degree. At the moment I have two brides with wedding days looming on the same date. They are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the weddings they’re planning and the degree of stress they are feeling is also polls apart.

One is having a very large two day wedding with many in her bridal party. In keeping with the ceremony she is having a very elaborate gown that has taken me and my team hundreds of hours of work to create a show stopper. As the wedding is not until later in the month I can’t say any more but I will be attending the wedding and look forward to sharing some amazing photos afterwards.

The other bride is having an intimate overseas wedding for just close family and friends. I am creating her a unique couture dress that has also involved hundreds of hours of hand work but the gown is very different in style. Both brides will make an individual statement.

In the lead up to the wedding bride number one and her mother are both very stressed and overwhelmed by everything that still needs to be done. For example, they are trying to get eight adult bridesmaids all of whom have busy jobs to their dress fittings. All while getting eight pairs of shoes dyed to match the dresses as well as keeping on top of all the other issues that arise when organising a wedding for several hundred guests.

Bride number two by contrast came to see me last week for a final dress fitting with her mother and a bottle of champagne. We chatted and laughed and the wedding day was hardly mentioned. There are no bridesmaids to get to fittings for couture dresses, no problems with shoes or any logistics linked to large events.

Here are my tips to keeping wedding planning as stress free as possible

1. Allow yourself plenty of time, a small wedding can be planned in less than a year unless you are wanting a specific venue that is very popular. However a large formal event needs 18 months plus.

2. Plan your budget at the start and look at what you can and can’t afford. When time is running out brides often exceed their budget in panic.

3. Talk things through with someone you trust, preferably not your mother or the groom as they will have their own stresses to cope with.

4. Delegate jobs, remember that is part of the bridesmaid’s duties to help and support you. If you can afford a wedding planner then do as it will take the strain off you as they know the business of wedding planning and problem solving. But don’t interfere too much, make it clear what you want, listen to advice and let them get on with it.

5. Look after your health and if you want to lose weight do it sensibly over a period of time. Let the bridal boutique or your wedding dress designer know how much you plan to lose and schedule a final fitting close to your wedding date to check the fit of your dress.

6. Schedule a dress rehearsal with your hair and makeup so you are sure you are happy with the complete look.

7. Let things go, emotions run high in the run up to a wedding and people will upset you but don’t take it to heart. Remember on your wedding day your guests won’t know if something you planned is not quite right – they are there to celebrate your special day and you are the only one who will know.