A lot of this subject is obvious,   however I intend to indulge my Ego!   As a level One Nurse I should know something about the subject,  by a strange turn of circumstances I found myself with a Photography Practice instead.   My goal was to work in the Secure Services,  I had a particular gift for forensic profiling,  not only in relation to individuals but my group profiling skills were well above the norm.  My curiosity of criminal behaviour and the Law told me perhaps I was right to take up my Cameras instead,

Back to the subject of Stress and its killer potential,  it's the long term effects that grind you down, consider your lifestyle,  is it killing you?  Weddings are a major source of stress and no wonder why.   Large sums of money can be consumed over one particular event, only be rivalled by purchasing a new car or house.  There are so many things to go wrong and Sod's Law tends to dominate, so how are you going to cope,  well one solution is to forget everything and sooner or later it won't matter anyway.  Wedding planners are fine providing you manage to remember where you parked them.  I suggest you take things one step at a time and continually check with all suppliers on a regular basis right up to the final day,  leave nothing to chance,  One poor chap I recall booked his Wedding Car well in advance only to find that two weeks prior to the day the company who had contracted to provide the vehicle and driver said they were  no longer trading.

Assuming that all is well and you are on target, but you still feel at odds with the situation,  that's not a crime,  try and work in close relationship with your new partner,  and seek reassurance from one another,  don't go overboard,  remember you still have to be supportive to your partner as well. Your G.P. could possibly help if you feel that the stress is going to prove too much for you. Do not abuse Alcohol, be aware of your own feelings and those of others,  there's no substitute for a clear head, your guests will expect you to be on edge anyway, that is only natural,  it's next to one of the greatest day's of you life.   Stay out of the Pub if you can, and no swift G & T's for the Bride either,  you owe it to one another to be as fit and healthy as possible on the day.   Remember alcohol can have some adverse effects on your bodily functions,  there are no prizes for being taken short during the ceremony.

 All that will make your Photographer a lot happier, ( That's Me ).  All I have to do is to cope with my own problems and anxieties,  yes Photographers can go through hell at Weddings, but once the wheels start rolling them it's a different matter.  All the anxieties disappear ( There is a tremendous burden on Photographers at Weddings as they have to rely on their own resources to guide and steer the couple one way and another  to obtain a satisfactory set of Images that will produce and Album for Clients and Relatives.   It's a full days job and you have to stay in the background or else you will find that your clients will very rapidly loose interest in you. )     

After the ceremony whether Civil or Religious,  you will have chance to unwind,  a mixture of Both posed i.e. Classic or Traditional shots are taken together with a series of relaxed or informal shots... Reportage ( storybook).   Above all else do not forget your faith,  especially if you are having a religious ceremony,  it should have stood the test of time,  allow your religion to work for you,  and find your own inner strength ,  ...show faith in your God,  and your God will go with you.

Adrian Allan Wilson R.M.N.

Words of Comfort.....

Desiderata 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann.

The Nicene Creed.

We believe in one God,  the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,  of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,  the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,  God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,  begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.  Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;  he suffered death and was buried.

circa 200 A.D.