You just got engaged and now the reality of wedding planning is starting to set in. What the heck did you get yourselves into?! Don’t worry. Everyone who’s gotten married has been where you are now. You got this!
Here are my top five tips to reduce stress while planning your wedding:
Use a wedding planning guide.
This guide from from TheKnot is a great starting place: 12 Month Wedding Calendar for Wedding Planning
There are a lot of steps involved in planning a wedding and having a game plan is essential!
Set goals and stick to them.
When using a DIY planner like the one linked above you’ll find guidelines for when things should get checked off your wedding to-do list. Transfer these guidelines into your Wedding Calendar (I like Google Calendar for this) and make sure you stick to them. The best way to manage overwhelm is by meeting your deadlines.
Plan time to enjoy each other.
There’s no question, wedding planning can be stressful. It’s one of the first big challenges you’ll face as a couple and it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re doing all of this in the first place.
Plan weekly date nights where you don’t talk about to-do lists or wedding plans. Take time out from your crazy schedules to simply enjoy each other and reflect on why you’re getting married. Remember that the most important detail of your wedding day is your marriage – everything else is extra.
Take care of yourself.
Self care is always important but even more so when you’ve got a lot on your plate. Take time away from work and wedding planning to care for yourself. This can be as elaborate as going on a solo retreat to do some self reflection or as simple as taking yourself out for a mani-pedi. If meditation is your thing, do that! If exercise is your thing, do that too! If you simply don’t have the time or energy to leave the house, do something small like read a novel that’s been on your list for a while or take an epson salt bath.
Plan for a little self care every day and you’ll feel 1000 times better when your wedding day finally arrives.
If the overwhelm is too much, it’s ok to let go.
Planning a big wedding isn’t for everyone and it is ok to take an alternative path. Let me repeat that…
It is OK to not plan a big wedding.
As I said before, the most important thing is that you are getting married, everything else is extra. If planning a big wedding feels like too much to take on then it’s ok to downsize. Elope to a country you’ve always wanted to visit. Hire a photographer and an officiant and you’re good to go! If even that feels like too much you can elope in your own backyard, the local courthouse, or on one of your favorite mountain tops.
Your family and friends will love you no matter what you decide.
Now that you’re feeling a little more prepared and supported while you plan for your big day, it’s time to do something fun for yourselves! Check out this article I wrote on 5 Reasons To Book An Engagement Shoot.
