Keep Calm And Plan Your Wedding

Wedding planning can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you're dreaming of a big, over-the-top celebration or an intimate gathering, it's easy to let the preparations get on top of you. Luckily, there are ways to make the process more enjoyable. From prioritising your non-negotiables to scheduling dedicated planning time, you can take control of the planning process and ensure you're looking after yourself along the way.

Schedule time for wedding planning, and time away from it

Wedding planning can be stressful, but there are ways to make it a fun and memorable experience. One of the key ways to avoid succumbing to wedding pressure is to schedule time for wedding planning and time away from it.

Before you begin planning, sit down with your partner and make some wedding planning goals and priorities. Discuss your budget, and what is most important to you both. This will help to alleviate stress throughout the whole process.

Then, schedule dedicated time for wedding planning. Whether that's Wine Wednesdays with your future spouse, or time set aside at the weekend, having a set time for planning will help you separate planning time from your free time. During this time, focus on the bigger picture. You're not going to remember that the florals you wanted weren't in season, or that you couldn't find the exact table runners you saw online. Instead, remember that your wedding is about celebrating your love with your nearest and dearest.

It's also important to schedule time away from wedding planning. Wedding planning can be all-consuming, but it's important to take care of yourself along the way. Make sure you're still making time for work, relationships, and your social life. Whenever you're feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, take a step back, and think about the bigger picture.

Discuss goals, budgets, and priorities with your partner

Wedding planning can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process more enjoyable. One of the most important things you can do to alleviate stress is to discuss goals, budgets, and priorities with your partner. Before you even start planning, sit down with your partner and make some wedding planning goals and priorities. This will help you to establish a clear vision for your wedding and ensure that you are both on the same page.

When discussing goals and priorities, it's important to focus on the bigger picture. Remember that your wedding is about celebrating your love and commitment with your loved ones, not about throwing the biggest or most extravagant party. This can help you keep things in perspective when you feel overwhelmed by the details.

Creating a budget is also crucial to reducing stress. Wedding planning can be expensive, and it's easy to get carried away with spending. By setting a budget and sticking to it, you can avoid financial strain and make more informed decisions about where to allocate your resources.

Throughout the planning process, it's helpful to continuously reference your "must-have" list. This will keep you on track and prevent you from getting sidetracked by unnecessary details or endless DIY projects. It's easy to get caught up in the small things, like the shape of your bouquet or the colour of your flatware, but staying focused on your priorities will help you stay calm and make the process more manageable.

Finally, scheduling dedicated time for wedding planning is essential. Whether it's setting aside specific days or times each week, or planning special planning sessions like "Wine Wednesdays" with your partner, creating a schedule will help you separate planning time from your free time and maintain a sense of balance.

Focus on the bigger picture

Wedding planning can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process more enjoyable. One of the most important things to remember is the bigger picture: your wedding is about celebrating your love for your partner with your loved ones. It's not about throwing the biggest party, so don't get too caught up in the details. When you're feeling overwhelmed, take a step back and focus on the fact that you're marrying the person you want to grow old with.

To avoid succumbing to wedding pressure, it's a good idea to schedule dedicated time for planning. Whether it's Wine Wednesdays with your partner or a few hours on the weekend, setting aside specific planning time will help you separate it from your free time. Before you start planning, sit down with your partner and establish goals, budgets, and priorities. Throughout the planning process, continuously reference your "must-have" list to stay on track and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

Remember, it's okay to take a break from planning and focus on your wellbeing. Wedding planning can be all-consuming, but it's important to maintain a healthy balance with your work, relationships, and social life. By keeping the bigger picture in mind and taking care of yourself, you can navigate the stress of wedding planning and enjoy the process.

Prioritise your non-negotiable elements

Wedding planning can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process more enjoyable. One of the key pieces of advice is to remember the bigger picture: your wedding is about celebrating your love with your partner and your loved ones. It's not about throwing the biggest party.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed, it's important to prioritise your non-negotiable elements. Wedding planner Michelle Leo Cousins advises creating a "must" list of your priorities and continuously referencing it throughout the planning process. This will help you stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked by endless DIY projects or constant upgrades.

Before you begin planning, sit down with your partner and establish your goals, budget, and priorities. This will help alleviate stress throughout the entire process. It's also a good idea to schedule dedicated time for wedding planning, whether that's on Wine Wednesdays with your future spouse or during the weekends. Having designated planning time will help you separate it from your free time.

Remember, it's essential to take care of yourself during the planning process. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath, step back, and focus on the bigger picture.

Take care of yourself

Wedding planning can be stressful, but it's important to remember that it should be a fun and memorable experience. To avoid letting the stress of wedding planning interfere with your wellbeing, relationships and daily life, here are some tips to take care of yourself:

• Schedule times for and away from planning. Whether you plan a specific day or time each week to focus on wedding planning, or save time for the weekend, scheduling time for wedding planning will help you separate planning time from your free time.
• Take a step back and focus on the bigger picture. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the small details, but remember that your wedding is about celebrating your love with your partner and loved ones.
• Prioritise your non-negotiable elements. Make a list of your "must-haves" and continuously refer to it throughout the planning process to stay on track and avoid getting caught up in unnecessary details or upgrades.
• Take time to discuss goals, budgets and priorities with your partner. Establishing these things upfront will help alleviate stress throughout the planning process and ensure you are on the same page.
• Remember to breathe and take breaks when needed. Wedding planning may never be completely stress-free, but taking care of yourself along the way is essential.

Frequently asked questions