All couples feel wedding planning stress, here’s how to manage it
Getting engaged is a monumental and thrilling next step in your life but it can also come with its fair share of pre-wedding stress. The high price tag of a wedding alone can raise your heart rate. Add to that, countless hours of planning, societal pressures, and family expectations and it’s no wonder planning a wedding can be overwhelming. While it may be less than blissful at times we promise it will all be worth it in the end!
Also, keep in mind that with emotions running high it can be easy to take out your pre-wedding jitters on your partner (especially during quarantine when you are together 24/7) but remember the bottom line, you are a team. So stay calm and you will get through it!
- Keep your priorities in mind. With Pinterest, Instagram, and good ol’ Google, there are endless options to choose from for your wedding day. Keeping your priorities for your wedding day top of mind will help you filter out the noise and focus on what’s meaningful to you.
- Know what you’re feeling is normal. Planning a wedding from beginning to end is akin to taking on a part-time job. Most weddings take 300-400 hours to plan. Most of us feel stress on a day-to-day basis without throwing a wedding in the mix! Weddings are high-emotion events and some jitters are to be expected. Whether you’re worried about budget, having time to plan, or nervous about being the center of attention, all couples have something that makes them a little nervous!
- Practice clear communication from the start. Have a clear and candid conversation with your partner and family (if they are involved in your planning) regarding budget and overall vision as early as possible in the process. Setting expectations and having a joint plan are crucial to starting off on the right foot.
- Try not to compare. Don’t compare your wedding to Pinterest pictures, editorials in magazines, celebrities, or anyone else you know in real life. Many of the images you see on Pinterest and in magazines are either unattainable or don’t make sense for you. While they are fantastic tools to inspire you, they most likely will not define your wedding design.
- Lean on your partner. It’s important that you remember your partner during the process and that you rely on each other for support. Talking through your stress and making big decisions together will help the process.
- Take breaks from planning. If you feel like the planning is taking over your life, take a break. It’s not sustainable to live in your planning 24/7. Take a weekend each month to focus on doing something you love together and avoid wedding talk.
- Delegate tasks. Don’t try to do it all alone! Make the largest decisions as a couple and then split up smaller details between you two. Or, if you prefer to do the majority of the planning, ask your partner to take over the honeymoon arrangements so you don’t have to worry about planning a vacation on top of the wedding!
- Hire professionals. The best way to cut down on hours of planning time and gain some peace of mind is by hiring experienced wedding professionals, including a wedding planner. Of course, we’re a little biased here, but I think our couples would agree! Whether you want a full-service wedding planner to guide you every step of the way or just someone to help handle logistics leading up to and on the day of your wedding, hiring a professional planner is the best way to ensure you have a stress-free wedding day!
With tons of moving parts and check-lists as long as a small novel, it’s no wonder wedding planning can be stressful! The good news is that you’re not in it alone. Lean on your team of wedding professionals, your partner, and your family for support, and focus on creating an authentic celebration of love.
