There’s this sweet spot of time after saying, “yes!” where all you do is blissfully share the good news and admire your sparkly new engagement ring. It doesn’t last long however before you realize, Yikes! I’ve got a wedding to plan!
Wedding planning is exciting, fun, and if you’re not careful, stressful. The stress will steal some of the joy from the experience, and if it gets to be too much, it has the potential of turning you into a dreaded bridezilla.
Fear not. We’ve got 7 tips for you on how to beat wedding planning stress.
1. Establish a Budget
Sit down with your fiancée, and discuss the details. You’ll need to determine how big you’d like the wedding to be, what type of theme or look you’re going for… and of course, what’s the budget?
It can be easy to go overboard, and while a large lavish wedding is nice, it’s not necessary.
This is your big day, and going into debt, or kicking dreams of homeownership down the road so that you can afford a destination wedding aren’t necessary components. Nothing that money can buy will make the day any more special.
Think about what’s important to both of you, and if the budget is smaller, don’t let that be a deterrent. There are a ton of creative ways you can still have a Pinterest-worthy wedding.
2. Create a master list
Once you’ve come up with the budget and ideas of when, where, and how you plan to celebrate, it’s time to put it down on paper.
Creating a master list ensures nothing gets overlooked, and it’s a great way of keeping track of everything.
If you plan on sharing it, you can create your list using google docs, or another shareable format. If you’re a fan of Notion, check out these free wedding planning checklist templates.
Don’t forget to also think about the theme and colors you’d like to include.
Perhaps you love the way a neutral pallet of creams and whites looks when offset with sage green. Now you have some direction, and can turn to Bella Bridesmaids for the perfect sage green bridesmaid dresses – or whatever color and style you’re looking for.
3. Delegate tasks
You know you don’t have to do it all on your own, right? While it may feel like it at times, you get to enlist help from your bridesmaids, your mother, and mother-in-law-to-be, and yes. Even your groom.
When delegating tasks, make sure you are clear on what your expectations are, and have a deadline for when you’d like the task completed. Make sure you communicate what you’re looking for, and whether or not it’s something you need to “okay” before a final decision is made.
4. Have a Plan B
Here’s a wedding planner’s secret: always have a plan B.
Is it an outdoor wedding? Make sure you have a contingency plan in case of rain. Worried about last-minute alterations or a ripped dress? Have a needle and thread that matches the color of the dresses, and some safety pins handy.
Worried about something happening to your cake? Have a plan, just in case, on where you’ll get a replacement. Or have an extra cake on hand (who knew? There is a way to have your cake and eat it too).
That way, you relieve yourself of some of the burden of the inevitable stress of, “what if?”
5. Schedule non-wedding planning-related things
Wedding planning will become all-consuming if you let it. Make sure you dedicate time to doing things you enjoy. Perhaps a hike or a picnic with your fiancée, or a night out bowling with friends.
However you choose to have fun, being able to laugh and unwind is an excellent antidote to stress, period.
6. Have a Spa Day (or Two)
There’s no shortage of ways to pamper yourself.
Book a massage and a facial. You’ll probably want a manicure and pedicure too, make sure to schedule them a few days before your big day. That way you get the benefit of relaxation, and your freshly pampered fingers will really set off your wedding ring.
If the spa offers it, splurge – and opt for the deluxe pedicure.
There’s nothing better than the extra massage and pampering, and if you’re really lucky, you’ll get a mimosa, too!
7. Remember the Big Picture
It can be easy to get so caught up in the frenzy of planning that you forget the big picture. You are marrying the love of your life. The love that the two of you share, and the fact that you are committing yourself to one another for the rest of your life is beautiful.
Nothing comes close to that, and no matter how much money you spend, your love and commitment are the same.
So, even though it can be hard to remember: don’t sweat the small stuff, as they say. When held in comparison to the love shared between you and your fiancée, everything on the wedding planning list is small stuff.
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Now that you have some tips on how to manage stress, you’re free to brainstorm, plan – and most importantly – enjoy the process.