Welcome to my new blog, Planning in Peace, where you'll find tips and advice about the things that can drive your stress level through the roof. Why is everyone losing their minds over your wedding? Why is your sister being such a b****? And can't anyone just agree on a bridesmaid dress without it turning into a huge drama?

The things that stress brides out most aren't the endless To-Do list entries and the hundreds of little decisions to make...it's the people around the brides, with all of their expectations, demands, and -- yes, I'll say it -- manipulations. For all too many of you out there, your wedding has become more like a sport. Everyone's trying to get their way. Everyone's trying to win. It can drive you nuts.

So here is where we're going to laugh through it all. We're going to remove the stress and the craziness with just a new perspective and a few other secrets I've learned during my 16 years as a wedding expert. I've heard it all, and I've advised over a quarter-million brides on how to defuse the most stressful situations that families and friends can throw at you. Sometimes, you just have to throw up your hands and walk away from the truly troubled souls out there whose only joy in life is sucking the joy out of others' lives, but those are rare occasions. Most of the time, it's just going to take a little insight and a simple action step that I'm going to share with you here.

So if you're losing it over the people around you, or if the wedding plans are getting out of hand and you're snapping at your groom, gaining weight and losing sleep, this is going to be a Must-See Blog for you.

And one more thing...I've just gotten engaged as well, so I'm one of you! My fiance and I are planning our spring wedding, and we've got some Harmony Wreckers going on around us, too. Now, I can't help you out if you won't post comments, so please do share your own insights and questions here, or visit me over at the Ask the Wedding Etiquette Expert message board.

Until next time...have a peaceful day!

Sharon