Social anxiety..

This has definitely been on my mind. People ask me how I'm feeling. I'm so excited for the day and to marry my FH, but I'm dreadung being the center of attention

I am with @Dana I will be taking a shot or 1/2 a shot before the walk down the aisle. I hate being the center of attention social anxiety in overdrive.

I hear you, friend! i was so wound up after our RD the night before the wedding and ended up having a bit of a meltdown while out for drinks with our out of towners because i was just freaked out about all the face time with people the next day. DH totally calmed me down. my advice would be, do the first look or just hang out with your FH before the ceremony a bit, get some of your photos and obligatory things done beforehand too so you can just relax after the ceremony, and make sure to let your friends and family know that you'd like them to check in with you and make sure you're ok. also, schedule some alone time with your FH after the ceremony. we did this and it was so nice to just be with him by ourselves for a few minutes before we went into the reception. remember that everyone is there because they love and support you. also remember that you might just react emotionally to some of the stuff that happens and you can't necessarily control that (i look like a complete maniac in all of our ceremony photos because i was both laughing and crying pretty much the whole time). in the end it's only one day, and it will be an amazing one. once things get rolling on the big day you will just ease into it, i guarantee.

ETA i also fully support the doing a shot advice, my BFF snagged us a bottle of brandy from MIL's liquor cabinet before we left for the venue and it was a godsend.

I've found, that reminding myself that the people who are going to be focusing on me and FH are there because they care about us. That seems to help me, for what it's worth. My Bridal Shower was a fantastic event and I just focused on the fact that the people who came care and I made it through the event alright.

After the event when everyone was gone I broke down and just let out all of my anxiety when it was just me and FH and I had an emotional hangover the next day, but I was able to successfully make it through the event without a problem.

FH and I are planning a little bit of downtime between the Ceremony and the Reception to just breathe for a few minutes and recover before diving right back in!

I do but I wasn’t nervous on my wedding day. Not sure why. Not even when I was getting ready to walk down the aisle, I was just happy. It also helped that everyone there was our family and friends, not like I was standing up there in front of a thousand people that I didn’t know. Also walking around the venue in my wrdding dress (the downstairs was open to the public) and outside, I thought I would be embarrassed all done up but I wasn’t. It was a really good day and I had a good time. I think you will feel the same once you’re there.

I have terrible social anxiety, too! I usually need a little liquid courage to help me get going. One of my bridesmaids is helping me make an escape plan just in case lol not that we will, but knowing that it's an option is a bit comforting.

Hopefully all will be well and go smoothly for your big day! Remember, you are a strong and beautiful person! You've gotten this far! And think of the many adventures to come!

I have terrible social anxiety as well. My plan is to have a shot before and a first look.

OP, do you have an update on how you handled your anxiety?

Omggg!!!!! I have been waiting for this kind of post. I am bugging out I have SA and BDD. The idea of attention on me and photography is making me panic - I never take pics -ever. When I am forced to I hate them no matter what or how they are altered to my liking. It is my biggest fear realized and I an flipping.

I wish I had advice for you. I live being the center of attention. I would say that instead of getting anxious about people looking at you, just focus yourself on the fact that you are marrying the love of your life. Enjoy the day because everyone says it goes so fast- you don't want to look back on the day and only remember being nervous

I'm talking to my therapist about the same issue. She taught me whenever I feel anxious and feel a panic attack coming remember my senses. Ask myself what do I see what do I smell? She taught me some breeding exercises. I take Zoloft but sometimes I still get really bad thinking people are starring at me. My biggest fear is when it's my turn to come out and I pass out or fall because I have a serious full on panic attack.

Seriously want to run away.. dreading meeting the photographer and explaining that I want NOO posey crap just snap and don't make me notice. Sick at the thought and I am having an extremely hard time with all this worry about how I knooow I will hate the zillion dollar pictures

And the thing is nobody understands unless you truly have the disorder it is debilitating.