8 tips to dealing with family drama during wedding planning

George Burns once said: "Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city."  That is especially true for weddings.  Here are a few tips to help you cope:

• Communicate Well – make sure every knows when and where they are supposed to be.   You don’t want dozens of people calling you to find out the schedule.
• Agree to a Truce – Avoid conflict by talking to family members who are known to argue.  Ask them to be civil for one day.
• Keep them apart – Make sure to keep people at separate tables if you know that they hate each other….or maybe even separate hotels if you want to keep the craziness away from you.
• Have an escape word – If you know that you will be overrun with relatives talk to your fiancé and bridemaids beforehand and create an escape phrase.  When you use it, they will know to help you escape.
• Be immune – People may say things about you, but don’t take it personally.   Stay immune to what is being said and you will stay calmer and happier.
• Let it go - Recognize that not everything is within your control and that’s OK.
• Be realistic – Sometimes the biggest letdown isn’t your family but reality.  Your expectations and dreams can be really hard to live up to.
• Focus on the good stuff – If you focus on what everyone else thinks or wants, you miss the good stuff – each other.