Post-Wedding Blues

from Details Wedding Magazine | Fall 2021

Entertaining Kids at Your Wedding

CJ Jackson

Post-Wedding Blues is a real affliction that hits many couples in the months following their wedding day. It’s brought on by a combination of things and the cause is different for everyone. For some, it’s the release of stress that follows the build-up, excitement and high energy put into months of hard work and anticipation while planning a wedding, but for others it’s missing their family and friends or even adjusting to the sudden crash into their new reality of married life. There’s a reason it is listed as one of the biggest stressors in life! It’s a major milestone and big feelings are expected.

When couples begin planning a wedding they pour so much of their hearts and souls into the smallest details and it becomes a project built with love and labour through the year(s). For many it is their first big project taken on together, and it shapes how they will navigate future disagreements, budgets, problem solving, compromises and so many other long term relationship skills that make any good marriage a happy one.

However, with the end of that project and the excitement it brings, comes a bit of a let down. Couples will have the photo gallery to look forward to and thank you cards to write, but as soon as they are back from the honeymoon they find themselves abruptly back in their day-to-day lives following months of intense focus and planning. What a big change! First of all, recognize that this transition is HARD! You’re literally changing a big part of your identity moving from single status to married, and that process of changing came with a lot of pressure and stress, albeit good stress. The sudden lifting of that pressure is bound to make you feel things and “sad” is one of the most common feelings experienced. Identify what you’re feeling and talk to your new spouse about it. If you are missing the planning, find ways to put that focus and skill to good use. If you’re feeling sad about missing your family and friends, set up some video chats or coffee visits so you can see those beautiful faces.

There are plenty of ways to shift focus into this new phase of life and I won’t say that we didn’t renovate a few areas of our house when we found ourselves in the same place, haha! Everyone needs something different to make their way through that season, but if you find your feelings are a bit too big to handle, or your new spouse doesn’t seem like themselves, please talk to someone. Mental health is a priority here at Details, so I would be remiss if I didn’t advise that from a publication standpoint but it is also a personal priority of my own. It’s never too early to ask for help.