Sure, brides have tons of worries weighing on their minds as the big day approaches. From making sure the bridal party arrives on time, to chasing down all those still-missing RSVPs, to reigning in soon-to-be mother- in-law, the road to “I do” can certainly be stressful for a bride. Obviously, right? (Insert eye roll here.) But as wedding season reaches full swing, your nuptials can also be weighing just as heavily on your guests. Wedding guests of both sexes can be struck with bouts of anxiety before heading to a friend’s nuptials — and the things they specifically freak about are actually pretty interesting…

What do your wedding guests have to stress out about, right? They aren’t the ones who have to shell out the cash for dinner for 100 plus people, memorize tear-jerking vows, or fight with your florist. All they have to do is get dressed, show up, and eat a slice of cake. What could be stressful about that? Well, according to a new survey conducted by the financial folks over at the cash-back shopping site Ebates, A LOT.

Obviously most wedding guests can eliminate white from their wardrobe choices when finding a wedding-worthy outfit for a friend’s nuptials. (Unless of course they’re attending an all-white wedding, à la Christian Siriano’s recent nuptials!) But finding something to wear still stresses 44 percent of female wedding guests. Furthermore, 28 percent are worried about losing weight before a wedding. (Gotta look good in those Instagram photos, right?) And another 28 percent are nervous about spending too much money — which is already difficult when 24 percent are concerned about buying the perfect gift. And 27 percent of female wedding guests are also freaking over running into other guests whom they dislike. Understandable — of course you don’t want to run into your ex come the big day. (You dated the bride’s brother… Oops.)

Phew. We’re getting stressed just reading all of that. However, women aren’t exclusively susceptible to attendee anxiety. But while the ladies are more concerned about slaying the outfit game, it sounds like the dudes are stressing over running into that bridesmaid they once slept with. 31 percent of men attending weddings are concerned over seeing people they don’t like, while only 27 percent are concerned over finding the perfect outfit. (Hint: It’s a suit. Duh.) Their wallets also serve as a stressful factor, with 29 percent of men worrying about spending too much money.

But surprisingly, while men worry more over breaking the bank, women actually end up spending less on wedding gifts than men. According to Ebates, women typically spend $25 to $100, while men shell out $50 to $250. Hey, at least we know how to shop smart. Putting that 79 cents for every dollar to good use, right?

See More: 7 Things Guests Go Bananas for at Weddings

“From the moment I first met Josh, I knew there was something different about him,” says Sarah, who met her now-husband through mutual friends during a trip to Lake Tahoe for New Year’s Eve in 2011. “We were inseparable the whole weekend, and immediately made plans to visit one another, even though we lived six hours apart at the time.” The long distance couldn’t stop them from falling in love. Three years later, during a Memorial Day trip to San Diego with Sarah’s family, Josh proposed in grand fashion: On the beach as a plane flew overhead, towing a sign that read “Sarah, Will You Marry Me?”! “I was in complete shock!” she says, as their family (and the house full of college grads next door!) cheered.

They wed a year to the date later, choosing to celebrate at MacMurray Ranch, Josh’s family’s home and ranch in Healdsburg, California. “It’s set in the vineyards and surrounded by redwood trees — totally breathtaking,” Sarah describes. They envisioned a warm, sunny celebration with homemade wine, local produce, and a blue grass band, and that’s exactly what they got! The bride, a floral designer and owner of Little Farm Flowers, didn’t have to look far for inspiration, though she wisely chose to call in some of her favorite vendors instead of taking on a DIY project. “Flowers are so important to me, so I hired our dream florist, Tulipina, to work her magic,” explains the bride. With colorful blooms, two different bands, and wine made on the groom’s parents’ vineyard, this was a wine country bash anyone would be thrilled to get an invitation to. Take a peek at the photos by Teale Photography and see for yourself!

After trying on nearly 40 dresses, Sarah finally got lucky when she slipped on this Moonlight Bridal gown. The tiered lace and delicate embroidery was decidedly romantic, a perfect fit alongside the bride’s classic engagement ring and strappy Badgley Mischka wedges.

For a formal look that was still right at home in the vineyard, Josh and his groomsmen all wore navy blue tuxedos with black lapels.

The Catholic ceremony took place at St. Vincent de Paul in nearby Petaluma. Sara and Josh had two flower girls (in full-length tulle dresses!) and a ring bearer as part of their entourage. “Josh and I both got such a good vibe when we visited the church,” says Sarah.

For a personalized touch, the couple added a Blessing of the Hands to their traditional ceremony. The altar was flanked by oversized arrangements of garden roses, peonies, and sprawling greenery in blush, ivory, and coral hues.

“At times, planning a wedding felt like a second full-time job,” says Sarah. “We learned a lot about ourselves through the process! Josh and I also lived two hours apart during the planning process, which made it hard to want to talk about the wedding when we had time together.” Thankfully, Josh trusted his bride with most of the decisions, and designing a wedding around such a beautiful venue was easy!

Sarah’s lush bouquet was so stunning, you’d never guess there had been a snafu. “My bridesmaids and I were rushed as we left, and had a 30 minute drive to the church. Once we got there, we realized we’d left my bouquet at the house!” she remembers. With no time to go back, the girls improvised, combining two of their bouquets for her to carry down the aisle. They were able to retrieve the peony, rose, jasmine, and ranunculus bouquet in time for the reception, which the florist wrapped in delicate lace and ribbons.

Aiming for an array of neutral colors in complementary styles, Sarah’s bridesmaids wore one of five Amsale designs in Fawn, Vanilla, and Champagne, all of which paired nicely with the groomsmen’s modern tuxedos.

At MacMurray Ranch, long tables were set on the lawn and topped with oatmeal-hued linens. “Josh’s family has been in the wine-making business for five generations, so it was important to serve their wines with dinner,” says Sarah.

Tulipina created sprawling centerpieces in stoneware vessels, combining dahlias and garden roses with vibrant greenery and fruits.

For dinner, guests were treated to a family-style meal of grilled New York steak, roasted wild salmon, Sonoma succotash, and risotto cakes.

As favors for their 265 guests, Sarah poured local olive oil into glass bottles, then tied each with a tag that read “Olive me loves Olive you.” “I had help from Josh and a friend, of course!” Guests also left with bottles of wine from the groom’s family’s vineyard.

Guests found their table assignments tucked into planters full of local lavender. After dinner, Josh and Sarah cut into a four-tiered cake featuring layers of red velvet, chocolate-raspberry, and lemon-poppy cake. The ruffled fondant was decorated with fresh peonies.

When guests weren’t on the dance floor, they could be found around two fire pits: One for s’mores, and the other with a selection of cigars.

Before the Lucky Devils Band took to the stage, Sarah and Josh had their first dance to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. “Josh surprised me with some new dance moves, and I laughed through most of our first dance,” says Sarah. “I’ll never forget how fun it was!” She then took a spin with her father to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra, and Josh danced with his mom to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

“Having people from all stages of our lives in one place was such an incredible feeling. We could really feel the love in the air,” says the bride. “Enjoy this special time, as it only happens once — and remember that it’s never too early to start checking things off your list!”

Ceremony Venue: St. Vincent de Paul Church || Reception Venue: MacMurray Ranch || Wedding Coordinator: Lovely Day Events || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Moonlight Bridal || Shoes: Badgley Mischka || Jewelry: Meraki Design || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale || Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Ike Behar || Engagement Ring: A. Jaffe || Wedding Bands: Michael C. Fina; Memoire || Floral Design: Tulipina || Invitations: Signora e Mare || Music: Steep Ravine; Lucky Devils Band || Catering: John Ash & Co. || Cake: Fleur de Lisa || Rentals: Archive Rentals || Favors: Little Vineyards Family Winery || Videographer: OneDay Pictures || Photographer: Teale Photography

Did you love the details at this California wedding? Then check out another couple’s vineyard bash in the video below.

The only thing that comes close to the excitement of getting engaged yourself is that moment when you find out your best friend said “Yes!” to the person she loves. If you make it all the way through her phone call without starting to plan her engagement party, we’re impressed! While you may be tempted to share the news on social media immediately, should you? Our experts weigh in on whether to start spreading the word that your BFF is heading down the aisle.

Before you take to Facebook, Instagram or your other favorite social media platform, make sure you know who your recently engaged best friend has already told about her engagement. After all, her family should hear the good news straight from her, not from their news feeds! Make sure to ask who she’s told before the two of you get off the phone, both to gauge whether you can take to social media and to figure out which friends are safe to text and which haven’t heard yet.

You should also ask her before you start planning your congratulatory Instagram collage. They may have decided as a couple to keep things quiet for a few days so they can bask in their joy, so let them have their privacy if they want it.

Once you have the go-ahead to post, try to limit it to just a post or two instead of a half-dozen tweets flaunting #mybestfriendisgettingmarried. Of course you’re thrilled, but stay away from overkill territory! You also shouldn’t post a shot of your bestie’s engagement ring without her permission. She may have her own reasons for not posting one of her own, which you should respect. Also check with her before posting anything that reveals wedding details, whether it’s the date, venue, or the Dress from your trip to the bridal salon. There is a lot of thought and planning that goes into a wedding (not to mention emotions and family politics!), so be as respectful as possible of what she does and doesn’t want to share.

See more: 5 Wedding Things You Should NEVER Post on Social Media

If you love your chocolate-chip-cookie-baking grandma as much as we love ours, then you’re totally going to fall head over heels for this sweet wedding story that’s been making its rounds on Facebook recently — a pair of adorable gmas walking down the aisle in matching purple gowns as, you guessed it, flower girls! Seriously though, it doesn’t get much cuter than this (sorry baby nieces).

When Josh and Maggie Wakefield were contemplating ways to honor their grandmothers at their June 11 wedding in Gap, Pennsylvania, they decided to give them the precious duty of being co-flower girls. Being the sweet souls that they are, they happily accepted this role. The bride told The Huffington Post, “Immediately after we asked them, a big smile formed on their faces. We could tell how touched they were by being a part of our bridal party.”

But sadly, the bride’s backstory is an emotional one. “My father passed away from colon cancer in December 2013, so I wanted to incorporate his parents into the wedding,” Maggie told Ashley Elizabeth Photography. “My grandfather, Ronald Sr., walked me down the aisle, and my grandmother, Joyce, was a flower girl. I’ve always had a very special connection to my grandparents because they helped raise my sister and me.”

The bride added, “I’m sure my father was looking down, smiling and laughing, at his mother throwing flower petals, with his father and me following from behind.”

And according to Maggie, she’s not the only one who has a very unique bond with her grandma. “Drue has been a huge influence in [my husband’s] life,” Maggie said. “She is one of the most caring, gentle, and thoughtful women that I know. Having our grandmothers as the flower girls meant the world to us!”

See More: Great Ideas for Honoring Your Grandparents at Your Wedding

What’s even cuter is that even though Maggie’s grandpa warned her that he and his wife would probably not be able to stay until the end of the reception, they actually pulled through and danced the night away! “I think that this was the happiest that I’ve seen my grandparents in year,” the bride said. “Seeing them dance together just warmed my heart and all I could think about is that one day that will be Josh and me.”

AAAAND our hearts are destroyed. K, bye.

If you’re one of those brides sweating for the wedding, you’re definitely not alone! In fact, you’re in some pretty good (and just plain pretty) company. Hannah Bronfman, the gorgeous fitness expert, DJ, entrepreneur, founder of wellness Web site HBFIT, and our personal fitspiration has added another title to her already lengthy resume: Bride-to-be! Bronfman is getting wedding-ready with her roster of workouts and a healthy diet that’ll have her looking flawless come the big day (as if she wasn’t already!). But while she can rock a sports bra and spandex like nobody’s business, what will this bride-to-be wear for that walk down the aisle?

If we had to guess, this all-around cool girl will be making her 328,000 plus Instagram followers’ jaws drop in a slinky, body-hugging wedding dress to show off all those hours she’s spent killing it at the gym. But maybe a more traditional full ballgown with a princess-y vibe is more this bride’s speed? Or perhaps a trendy style featuring a structured silhouette is up Bronfman’s alley? (The model is a fashion maven, after all!) Come on, Bronfman, we’re dying here!

Since we just can’t wait for her big day to see her bridal style, Bronfman is giving us a bit of a sneak peek and divulging her top wedding dress picks from the 2017 Bridal Fashion Week runways. The girl is already your fitspiration, but she’s also about to be your bride-spiration!

One of Bronfman’s favorite frocks is this Oscar de la Renta number up to there in luxe lace. “This high-necked lace dress is super classic,” she said. “It’s conservative yet contemporary — especially the way it’s styled.”

Carolina Herrera has also stolen this bride-to-be’s heart. “I like that the dress is a little separated from the train, so you can still see your hips and waist,” Bronfman said of this dazzling dress. “And that fold over the bodice is a perfect accent.”

Last but certainly not least on Bronfman’s list of dream dresses is the “Dominica” gown from Naeem Khan’s latest collection. “This is absolutely stunning,” Bronfman gushed over this daring dress that features a deep, sultry V-neckline. “It’s so intricate, hand crafted, and elegant with those long sleeves.”

After you’re done fawning over Bronfman’s wedding dress picks, get wedding-ready for your own gorgeous gown with Bronfman’s 55 second bride-to-be workout!

See More: How Miley Cyrus, Kate Upton, Blac Chyna and More Engaged Stars Are Getting Their Bods Wedding-Ready

Subscribe to BRIDES now for the best wedding dresses, advice, and big-day inspiration.

Many couples dream of getting married at the courthouse — forgoing the traditional wedding and opting for a simpler, more intimate experience. Baltimore Ravens player Jeremy Zuttah and his fianc&eacutee, Heran Haile, were no exception to that rule — and had planned to wed at Baltimore City Hall. But when they found out that one of the bridal party members wouldn’t be allowed to attend due to his, well, non-human status, they decided to change their venue so that he could.

The 30-year-old NFL player and his new wife, who reside in Hoboken, N.J., are the puppy parents of a pit bull named Ace. The dog clearly holds a special place in the couple’s heart, as they were set on the idea of Ace serving as a groomsmen (because why wouldn’t he be?). Originally, they had wanted a small ceremony at City Hall in Baltimore with Ace present, but due to the fact that the government building wouldn’t allow animals inside, they had to relocate, according to People. Instead of their city hall nuptials, the couple found a gym in downtown Baltimore at 10 Light Street, according to the Baltimore Raven’s website, and they converted the space into a beautiful wedding venue — all for their pooch!

The pair, who met at Rutgers, wanted to say “I do” in Baltimore because of their love for the city. “We decided to get married in Baltimore because it’s been in the headlines recently for not great things, which we think is a shame because the city is beautiful and the people are beautiful,” Heran said. “This is a great city that people should not knock down,” they shared on the Zuttah’s team website. And with that love for the city came their passion for their pup being there to celebrate, no questions asked.

“I just could not imagine getting married without him. He’s with us every day everywhere we go. I thought everyone was crazy about their dog like I am,” Haile said. Her new husband echoed her sentiments, as the two are major advocates for dog adoption and rescue, noting that the pup was in the bridal party albeit not the best man — but for good reason. “He wasn’t the best man because he can’t speak,” the football player joked on the Ravens’ website. “You have to do a speech at the reception.” Touch&eacute, Zuttah.

Even though Ace wasn’t able to speak during the reception, the cuteness overload that ensued when he walked down the aisle in a tux with Zuttah’s brother was enough to seal the deal for a venue switch. Check out the adorable video and photos below of his now famous walk down the aisle.

See More: The Most Adorable Photos of Pets at Their Parents’ Weddings

Check out this adorable pooch! He really added a whimsical element to the stunning wedding of Heran and #JeremyZuttah at @10lightbaltimore. Planned and executed by @union3events with florals by @victoriaclausenflorals and delicious eats by @copperkitchenmd. @heeran @jzutt53 Photo by Shane Carpenter

A photo posted by READYLUCK (@readyluck) on Jul 7, 2016 at 12:56pm PDT

What a weekend! Thanks to everyone that was able to be part of such an special night. Thanks @union3events for their invredible work in turning a gym into a wedding venue! @heeeran #jerlovesher #clubzuttah

A photo posted by Jeremy Zuttah (@jzutt53) on Jun 13, 2016 at 5:36pm PDT

"describe your ideal wedding date….." thanks @downtowndogresort for making sure Ace was ready for our wedding!!!! I think he was the main attraction! #pitbullsofinstagram #dogsinweddings #groomsdog #jerlovesher

A photo posted by Heran Haile (@heeeran) on Jun 18, 2016 at 9:13pm PDT

5 months today. *******Y**** #jerlovesher #june2016 #sweatypalms

A photo posted by Heran Haile (@heeeran) on Jan 11, 2016 at 4:07pm PST

The party continues with @Ravens Weddings ! Heran and #JeremyZuttah hitting the dance floor at their elegant #UnderArmour wedding venue @10lightbaltimore. Union and celebration planned and executed by @union3events with florals by @victoriaclausenflorals and delicious eats by @copperkitchenmd. @heeran @jzutt53 Photo by Shane Carpenter

A photo posted by READYLUCK (@readyluck) on Jul 8, 2016 at 6:10am PDT

Go @Ravens Weddings ! Readyluck was honored to document *the union and celebration of *the stunning Heran and #JeremyZuttah at @10lightbaltimore. The beautiful day was planned and executed by @union3events with florals by @victoriaclausenflorals and delicious eats by @copperkitchenmd. We're sharing a few teasers from this spectacular wedding today. @heeeran @jzutt53 Photo by Shane Carpenter

A photo posted by READYLUCK (@readyluck) on Jul 6, 2016 at 10:24am PDT

Long or short, there’s no one right answer for how long a person should be engaged. But if you’re trying to determine how long you should wait before you tie the knot, the opinions of these real women might help. Here, real brides share their thoughts and experiences on the best amount of time for an engagement.

Shorter is Better

“I think an engagement lasting less than a year is ideal. It forces you to make decisions, since you don’t have time to hem and haw over which photographer or caterer you want to use. Wait too long, and the good vendors may be booked up. Plus, a shorter engagements prevents you from second-guessing yourself. Let’s say you have a two-year engagement. Once you’ve booked your venue and major vendors, you then spend a year on Pinterest and ultimately decide to go in a different direction design-wise and now your venue doesn’t match your vision. Having a shorter engagement cuts down on the amount of time you have to change your mind once you’ve committed to something.” — Leigh, engaged seven-and-a-half months

“I think a short engagement is better. Why wait? If you aren’t sure you want to marry that person, you shouldn’t have said ‘yes’ to the proposal. After we officially got married, I felt a shift in our relationship — we were more solid and secure with each other than ever. I love that feeling of knowing someone has your back no matter what — I wouldn’t have wanted to wait any longer to feel it!” — Laurie-Anne, engaged one year

“I have worked in the wedding industry before and I feel that a shorter engagement is the best options for most couples. By having a short engagement, the excitement on the upcoming nuptials remains in the forefront. You are able to make decisions easier and quicker as you don’t have time to waste. Long engagements tend to make the wedding more stressful. The long drawn out process leads couples to deliberate more about various details that they might not focus on with a short engagement.” — Ashley, engaged six-and-a-half months

See More: What the Length of Your Engagement Says About You

Longer Is Better

“Long engagements are amazing. My husband and I were engaged for 22 months, and it was the best decision. When you’re dating you can talk hypothetically about what you want when you get married. Once you are engaged, the hypothetical scenarios become real. We had a full year to cultivate a working dialogue about what we really wanted without worrying that we were talking outside of the dating boundaries. We had the opportunity to make sure we were on the same page on everything before we started getting into wedding planning. The first year of the engagement we didn’t do a single item of wedding planning, living in that blissful state of engagement without any stress of planning a big event was really desirable.” — Brooke, engaged 22 months

“I had a two-year-long engagement, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Admittedly, that’s mostly because we were planning our wedding from a distance, which meant that every time we wanted to scope out a venue or hire a florist, we had to hop a plane. Giving ourselves two years to plan meant that we were able to take those trips and feel confident with our decisions, rather than doing everything by phone or Skype.” — Annemarie, engaged two years

“I think the idea of a short engagement is very sweet, but the reality is that there is way too much planning to cram into less than a year. I remember being so overwhelmed by our to-do list, and I don’t know how we would have accomplished it in any less time than we gave ourselves. If you’ve got a planner, then maybe a shorter engagement works. But otherwise, why put more stress on yourself by only giving yourself a short time to get so much done?” —Chelsea, engaged 18 months

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Think weddings are expensive for the bride and the groom? Well as a wedding guest, your bill just to step foot in the venue and watch your friends say “I do” will cost you a pretty penny. The average cost of a wedding for a guest in 2016 is over $700, according to recent research. Wondering what is making a wedding weekend that expensive? Here are the six things you’ll have to pay for as a 2016 wedding guest.

1. Car Service
With the convenience of having a car pull up at your doorstep within minutes with apps like Uber, renting a car or even filling up your gas tank is something that people aren’t doing as much anymore. Rides to and from the airport, or to and from the wedding venue, can easily add up, so it’s best to split these rides with other guests attending.

2. A Pre-Wedding Gift
Heading to the engagement party or even the bridal shower? You’ll need to carry a gift with you. But don’t worry about splurging on something that’ll break the bank — a pre-wedding gift should be something not too expensive, whether it’s off the couple’s registry, a bottle of bubbly, or something even homemade.

3. An Actual Wedding Gift
Thought you were one and done with the gifts? You’ll need to get another gift for the actual wedding, but don’t feel like you need to give a gift that night, even if it’s cash or a check. You have a full year after the wedding to send a congratulatory present.

4. A Place to Crash
It might be a good idea to book a hotel room for the night before and of the wedding, especially if you’re traveling from far away. That way you don’t have to worry about rushing to get to the wedding on the day of or be concerned with driving home late at night after the celebration ends. If getting a hotel is just too big a strain on your wallet, check out AirBnB or get a group of friends together and split a hotel for the weekend.

5. A Way to Get There
Here’s where you’ll find yourself spending the most cash. Whether you’re flying, taking a train, or renting a car and driving cross-country, aim to book your travel plans in advance to avoid hiked up fees and last-minute stress.

6. Something to Wear
With the presence of social media, you can’t dare wear the same outfit to two weddings in a row, right? Wrong. Especially if you can’t afford to buy a new dress for your eighth wedding this year. Pro tip: Wear the same go-to gown or suit, but pair it with new or different accessories to make the old dress look brand new on the ‘Gram.

See More: 6 Things Guests Want to Know BEFORE Your Wedding

Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.

Sorry to bring this up, Heidi Klum, but our hearts just about broke back in 2012 when we learned of your split with Seal. After almost seven years of wedded bliss, we really thought they were going to be one of those celebrity couples who just make it, you know? But alas, the stars were just not aligned for the German supermodel and the British musician. However, Klum is definitely not done strutting the catwalk of love. Now in a relationship with New York City art dealer Vito Schnabel, the blonde beauty is opening up on all that’s love-dovey.

Oh, what we would give to get another gander at Klum in a wedding dress. The woman has made a career out of strutting her stuff in her underwear, from slaying the Victoria’s Secret fashion shows to now heading her own lingerie line, but our favorite look for the model is obviously wedding-white gowns…

One thing’s for sure: Klum certainly sounds happy with her current sweetheart. “I love being in love, like when you have butterflies in your stomach and when you feel great,” Klum recently shared with People. “I celebrate all the romance — I’m quite old-fashioned that way. I don’t know, I love enjoying life and celebrating the love and being happy.”

But while we’re definitely hearing wedding bells for Klum and Schnabel, Klum is claiming that marriage is not in her future. “I’ve done it twice and it didn’t really work out for me, so why hurt something when it’s all good the way it is,” she said. “I like it the way things are right now.”

While of course we’re a bit disappointed to halt our wedding plans for this cute couple, “the way things are” include dozens of roses and candlelit bubble baths for Klum via her new dreamy sweetheart, all of which the Project Runway judge documented on her Instagram. Umm, that sounds pretty good to us! Let us know where you found this one, Klum! He definitely seems like a keeper.

How did i get so Lucky ????

A photo posted by Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) on Jun 13, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

You know a marriage proposal is coming. But that knowledge is both a blessing and a curse. (After all, no one likes to wait.)

You don’t have to twiddle your thumbs anxiously awaiting his or her sweet words, however. As relationship and etiquette expert April Masini says, “when you’re trying not to do something — like blurt out, ‘hurry up, already!’ or ‘I can’t wait for you to propose to me!’ — it’s best to keep yourself preoccupied and distracted.” And we’ve got five suggestions for how you can spend your time — activities that will take your mind off what you’re waiting for and make you better for doing them.

1. Be social, and enjoy being single.
According to Laura L. Ryan, licensed marriage and family therapist, now’s the time to take advantage of your single life. “Do things that you will not be able to do when you are someone’s wife,” she says, suggesting dancing, an all-night karaoke session, hitting a coffee shop by yourself and hunkering down with a good book, or watching back-to-back episodes of The Bachelor. As Ryan says, “when you are sharing your life with another person, you will lose some of these freedoms, so make the most of your remaining time as a single person.”

2. Learn what it takes to make a marriage succeed.
When you’re waiting for a proposal, it’s easy to focus your energy on planning your future wedding. Instead, Alexandra H. Solomon, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist and Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Find an Keep the Love You Want, suggests spending this time planning your marriage. “There are so many great books out there about what it takes to create a successful marriage,” Solomon says. “Spend a little time daydreaming with bridal magazines, and a lot of time with books, articles and videos about marriage.”

3. Get yourself in tip-top financial shape.
If you’re in debt or struggling financially, Amber Kelleher-Andrews, matchmaker for NBC’s Ready For Love, suggests using this time to try to dig yourself out. “Remember that when you marry you are also marrying each other’s financial obligations, debts and credit scores, as well as benefits,” she says. “The more together you are financially, the more attractive you are to your prospective spouse — and vice versa.”

See More: 6 Thoughts Every Girl Has When Waiting for Him to Put a Ring On It

4. Get organized.
Organizing your desk drawers may not sound like a pleasant way to pass the time. But Masini says that clearing the clutter and getting organized can actually help the time fly, all while keeping you occupied in a super-productive endeavor. “Whether it’s cleaning closets, doing tax prep, or applying some feng shui to the garage, you can do good while creating space for all those wedding gifts to come, all by simply getting your life organized,” she says.

5. Practice self-care.
Solomon says that in order to create a happy twosome, you have be a healthy by your lonesome. So, take this time to practice self-care and get into the healthiest emotional and physical shape you can. “Some examples of self-care include yoga, meditation, journaling, going for a walk, reading, taking a hot bath, and calling a friend,” she says. “What you do to take care of yourself doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you have a menu of uplifting options for tending to you. Weddings have a way of kicking up all sorts of emotional dust, so having your self-care tool box ready is important.”