You've fallen in love. Making the commitment to another person is a huge milestone in your life, and naturally, with this decision comes stress and anxiety. But why is wedding planning, in particular, so stressful? Results from a study done in 2020 share that 72% of couples experience a high amount of stress when it comes to planning their wedding. This number increased by 32% from the same study done in 2018.
Today, it is safe to say we feel more pressure to throw a meaningful ceremony and trendy party. We are concerned about what our guests think of our event so we throw in more money to purchase elaborate things. Beyond the aspect of time and money, we are even more distraught about if the event will occur at all (think: pandemic problems).
Wedding planning also places stress on your relationship with your family, friends, and your partner. It's not easy to remain calm and collected around the ones that know you best when you're overwhelmed and anxious. And that's why we are here. Read on to learn how to deal with wedding planning stress, and even mold the experience into something you enjoy.
Stress-Free Wedding Planning Tips
Plan Your Planning
Start here: prioritize everything. Make a list of every task that needs to be completed by you and your partner and assign them a number based on time restriction, necessity, and difficulty. Give them an order in which they need to be completed and then space each of the tasks out so that you are able to complete a few per month. Begin this process early and as you complete each task also create a plan B. We have all learned in the past few years that anything can happen!
If you can, make an effort to work with venues, stores, and vendors that provide you with a sense of happiness and excitement as opposed to stress. For example, search for your perfect dress at an independent boutique instead of a large chain store. You'll find that your experience is less commercialized and more personalized, unique, and friendly.
Remember the ‘Why'
With everything you do, make a conscious effort to stay grounded in the reason you are planning this event. Remember that this is an intense and complicated task—there are careers solely dedicated to planning events like these. By adopting the mindset that it’s not about the actual event, but about the person you are marrying and your commitment to each other, you're able to accept and reframe your expectations for the day. This way you may find that you're pleasantly surprised instead of disappointed or overwhelmed.
Leading up to your wedding, continue to add fuel to your relationship by going on dates with your partner so that when the day comes to get married, your bond is stronger than ever. A stressful time like this is a great opportunity to build up your connection and become even closer with your partner. You're working together to create a beautiful day that you both will remember for the rest of your lives.
Communicate with Your Partner
This may be one of the most important tips. Open communication can help you and your partner stay on budget and happy throughout the process of planning your wedding. Think of this as great practice for the future.
Many things can and will change as you work with schedules, venues, and involved friends and family. Being open about your feelings and flexible in your mindset is helpful to keep all pieces of this event progressing smoothly. This being said, remember that this is your event and you and your partner should be the top priority.
Establish and Follow a Routine
If you're wondering how to truly de-stress from wedding planning, this section is for you. To begin, you must keep in mind that you have to find what works for you. We are all different in the way we process and deal with stressful situations, so there's no overarching secret to eliminating stress. But, the good news is that once you find what works for your mind and body, you'll be able to take every future uncomfortable situation in stride.
Employing mindfulness to stay present and on task is a great way to begin. As you work, make an effort to accept that you won’t be able to control everything and this is okay. Oftentimes, happy accidents are what you and your guests remember most on your big day.
In addition to adopting a zenful mindset, commit to taking care of your body. By altering your diet, you can boost your mood and energy, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. Think whole foods that are high in antioxidants, B vitamins, and omega-3 fats. Consider upping your intake of foods like kale, spinach, salmon, bananas, blueberries, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Pair these changes with time to relax. Enjoy a cup of chamomile tea before bed. Move your body regularly. Make sure your sleep schedule is regulated. Spend time doing something that you genuinely enjoy.
Ask for Help
Enlist the help of your friends and family. No couple can plan a complete wedding on their own. By dividing the tasks, you're able to more smoothly pull this memorable event together on a reasonable timeline. Consider hiring a wedding planner if necessary as well. The expertise of a professional coordinator could help you save time and eliminate errors by offering tips and taking the lead on action items. If it’s within your budget, looking into a wedding consultant could save you a great deal of stress in the planning process as well as on your wedding day.
Alexandra's Boutique Can Help
Let us help eliminate your wedding planning stress! Alexandra's Boutique, a full service bridal and special event boutique, is committed to offering an exquisite collection of bridal attire, occasion apparel, and complimentary accessories from today's top wedding fashion designers. With everything from private collection wedding gowns and stylish bridesmaids dresses to elegant mother of the occasion attire and stunning evening dresses, we have something for every guest.
Because we have over thirty years experience in wedding fashion consulting, Alexandra's Boutique is knowledgeable about the industry and ready to offer you advice and aid leading up to your big day. Schedule an appointment with our team of specialists today.
