One of the biggest stressors in wedding planning is having to depend on so many different people to answer your calls or deliver a service, send a deposit check or show up on time. If you're one of those super-reliable people who's always on time, if not early, you're really going to feel this one. And it can be *very* draining to feel like you're always waiting for people to follow through.

Some brides and grooms are so organized that they feel their bridal party is late even when there are still three days before the deadline they enforced.

You don't do anything about people's sense of timing. We all have friends who are always late for dinner, or always show up five minutes before the movie starts. That's just their rhythm, the clock they operate by.

So the best thing that you can do is change your tactic...add a few days of cushion time to what you need from each person. For instance, the groomsmen can get a deadline date of two weeks sooner than you need their size cards. The bridesmaids get a deadline date of two weeks earlier. When you build in some delay time, it keeps you from freaking out about late people. This cushion time is for your sense of peace.

I keep a calendar with cushion deadlines written in red and actual deadlines written in black. My bridal party is scattered all over the country, and everyone operates on their own timing. One of my bridesmaids has 4 kids and homeschools them, and she's always the first to respond. Another bridesmaid is a teacher, and she takes a while to get back to me. I love her to pieces, and it doesn't stress me at all....I know she'll come through. My groom is more laid-back than I am, so he's been getting some cushioned requests, just because I don't want to stress either of us out with a 'time's a wastin'' mentality. It all gives me a valley of harmony...and I'd love for you to experience the same stress relief!

What are your stories of bridal parties, grooms and parents with different timing than your own? And did you realize that maybe it's best if *you* get a little more laid back about your requests? Share your stories in Comments. I'd love to read them!