We are rapidly approaching our wedding date, and I've learned so much over the last several months that I want to share with the brides of Arkansas.

As women, we tend to get caught up in the emotions and stress of wedding planning, working, decorating a new home, etc., and while those things are important, they're not the MOST important. I'll admit, due to a number of things going on and changing in our lives right now, I know I've let some of said emotions and stress get the better part of me. 

After you got engaged, you started thinking about everything you needed to get done, and maybe even pushed your future hubby's feelings to the side. Ladies, your fiancé spent many, many hours searching for the perfect ring and planning the perfect proposal because he loves you more than you can imagine. The least you can do is give him some of the attention he deserves without bringing up every single thing you're constantly worrying about for the wedding. 

This is one of the greatest times of your life, so cherish it. Go on dates, have fun with each other, and don't take everything so seriously. If I could start our engagement all over again, I would relax a lot more. I would learn to have patience when he tells me he doesn't care whether we have white or purple linens or which bedside tables you choose (just a tip: he truly just wants whatever you want. He just wants you to be happy).

As for the remainder of our wedding planning, I'm excited about preparing for our marriage and putting the craziness we've had lately behind us. Just a note to the brides that are leaning on the edge of bridezilla: take a step back, relax and enjoy it...at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you and your groom are married!

— Jordan

Bride-to-be and Benton native Jordan Westbrook graduated from UALR in 2011 with a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in mass media. The former Arkansas Bride intern will be blogging about her adventures in wedding planning right here each week.