9 Smart Ways to Make Wedding Planning Less Stressful

Wedding planning is fun, but it can be hectic. You’re trying to stay within a budget, juggling family dynamics and choosing the perfect venue — all while keeping your sanity intact. Stress can easily take over, but it doesn’t have to. Discover nine strategies to help you enjoy the time leading up to your special day.

Why Is Wedding Planning So Stressful?

Wedding planning can be overwhelming due to many factors, such as conflicting opinions from both families and working with various vendors. Add to that the financial investment and the pressure to create a “perfect” celebration that’s enjoyable for everyone. With so much going on, you might experience stress, which may manifest in physical and emotional discomfort, including headaches and weight loss.

How to Make Planning More Manageable

Planning for your dream wedding shouldn’t be a nightmare. Explore tips to make it more enjoyable for you and your partner.

1.   Have the Ceremony and Reception in One Place

Consider hosting the ceremony and reception in a single venue so you won’t need to transport guests from one place to another. Some places offer packages from partner vendors and a day-of coordinator as part of the fee. Inquire about the setting’s availability, maximum capacity, design and limitations before signing a contract.

2.   Limit Your Guest List

It goes without saying that a shorter guest list is better for your budget and sanity. The reality is you may not be able to accommodate all your loved ones. However, this is not the time to exercise your people-pleasing tendencies. It’s your wedding, your rules. Start with your immediate family members, close friends and relatives. If the space and budget permit, you can consider more distant relations.

3.   Consider a Destination Wedding

If you still find it challenging to limit your guest list, consider having a destination wedding. Its biggest advantage is having a coordinator who can arrange everything for you, including choosing flower and cake suppliers. Additionally, it means fewer guests and more affordable expenses. While fees depend on the location and package, couples spend around $28,000 to tie the knot abroad — relatively cheaper than the average cost of a traditional wedding, which is $34,000.

4.   Delegate Responsibilities

You can’t do everything on your own, and even superheroes need sidekicks. Tap your family members and bride tribe for additional support. Delegate specific tasks and tailor them according to everyone’s strengths. Go ahead and ask that graphic designer BFF to help design place cards and organize bridesmaids to alphabetize them.

5.   Hire a Wedding Planner

Sometimes, you may still feel overwhelmed despite delegating tasks. If that’s the case, you’ll benefit from hiring a wedding planner. They are your ally — someone you can approach when you’re confused or overwhelmed by everything. Hiring one costs around $2,000-$10,000, depending on several factors. It’s quite expensive, but knowing that they’ll ensure a flawless execution on your big day makes it a worthwhile investment.

6.   Make Time for Fun Dates

Explore new activities, chill indoors or do anything that will take your mind off the stresses of planning. Find time for relaxing or mood-boosting activities, whether going to the gym, booking a massage or cooking dinner together. Engaging in fun dates can help rejuvenate your mind and body after a stressful day of planning.

7.   Ask for Vendor Recommendations

Ask newlywed friends for vendor recommendations to narrow down your options. Maybe you like how your co-worker’s wedding photos turned out or loved your cousin’s reception decor. Reaching out to them can help you save precious time you’d otherwise spend on more important matters.

8.   Ditch the Fluff

If you’re on Pinterest, chances are you’ve saved lots of inspiration. Those hand-calligraphed place cards or that cute glitter bar look pretty, but do you need all of them? In the interest of keeping your planning less stressful, you should focus only on the things that matter, such as finalizing your venue details, gown and entourage attires.

9.   Make Room for Flexibility

Wedding preparations will always have ups and downs, much like a romantic relationship. Hiccups are part of the journey, but with proper planning and the right support system, everything will fall into place. Embrace a more flexible mentality during this challenging time so you and your partner can face unexpected moments with grace.

Is It Normal to Not Enjoy Wedding Planning?

Of course, it’s fine if you don’t find wedding planning enjoyable. Emotions tend to run high during this time, which can make you feel tired and overwhelmed. However, these strategies can help lighten the load and make the journey more enjoyable.

Make Wedding Planning More Bearable

Don’t let stress get in the way of creating your dream wedding. Consider implementing these tips to help reduce your anxiety levels. That way, you can be more present in the moments that matter.

Author – Cora Gold

Cora Gold is a wedding enthusiast with over six years of experience writing about trends, traditions and more. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.