Sources of Wedding Planning Stress and How To Eliminate Them

Weddings are stressful, there’s a lot to do and sometimes you can feel a little lost. The first thing to do is not panic – this happens to all brides!

But, at the end of the day, it’s supposed to be a happy and fun time to celebrate the love you and your partner share. To help remember that while navigating the stress, here are a few tips to keep you on track and help you feel less alone, as this seriously happens to everyone.

Get your wedding budget in order

Your wedding budget can be a giant cause of stress as many couples cannot agree on the amount. There is also the question of whether your parents will be able to help you out. Without your wedding budget, you will not be able to properly look for your vendors – you need to have at least a price range in mind for what the two of you can afford.

Overestimating your budget will make you overspend and there are many hidden costs that may catch up with you as you get close to your big day.

Read our article 8 Hidden Wedding Costs you haven’t thought of to fully prepare for those hidden costs.

Make sure to choose a sturdy method that you are comfortable with in order to lay out your budget.

Options include:
  • Traditional pen and paper, writing everything down or creating a wedding scrap book
  • Excel – make a spreadsheet that has all your costs
  • Use HitchPlanner’s free planner to track your costs and even send out e-invites

Prioritise What’s Important to You

A good strategy when it comes to setting priorities is for each person in the couple to write down the things that are most important to them in the wedding process—flowers, food, wedding gown, photographer, venue etc. Any elements that don’t align will be areas where compromises and agreements will have to be reached.

Give yourself at least 9 months to choose the “big ticket items” such as the venue which will eat up most of your wedding budget.

For more details, read our article Wedding Budget Mistakes to Avoid.

It’s important to spend your money on things that bring you joy rather than on things you think you “should” have. Your wedding should have your own flair and style as a couple and not conform to what you think your wedding should look like.

Don’t Strive For Perfection and Have a Plan B

They say nobody’s perfect, and the same goes for weddings. So when you are planning your wedding, it is not always necessary to sweat the small stuff. Letting go of certain smaller issues or delegating to one of your bridesmaids will greatly relieve your stress.

It’s natural to want your special day to go off with a hitch but sometimes vendors can pull out, or certain important guests can no longer attend or you may have to postpone your wedding due to a global pandemic! Make sure you have a Plan B and have purchased the appropriate insurance to ensure you don’t lose too much of your budget.

Take Social Media with a Grain of Salt

Instagram and Pinterest are amazing tools for inspiration, but they can be misleading. Don’t forget that nowadays there are a few filters and photoshop on social media so what you see isn’t necessarily achievable. Always set realistic goals and make sure you get to know your vendors well – with their wealth of experience, they will be able to tell you whether what you want is achievable or not.

Handle family and close friends in stride

One of the biggest sources of stress during the wedding planning process is often the dynamic between the couple and family members. And, when the family is paying for the wedding, it becomes just that much more complicated. Unwanted input and advice from in-laws and other loved ones can become an emotional burden on everyone involved for a number of reasons.

It’s important to respect that familial relationship while not getting steamrolled.

Communication is key

Miscommunication can lead to disasters, so being clear from the very beginning about expectations, budget, and style is very important in wedding planning. This includes everyone from family members to your planner and your partner. Being a partner with your soon-to-be spouse during the planning process can also be a great bonding experience.

Take a Break

Stress is not only bad for you but also can affect your skin, nails and overall appearance! If you want to look tip top on your big day, make sure to take a step back from time to time, drink lots of water and go for lots of walks.

Another way to relax is to spend some more time on self-love, get a massage, a new manicure.

Here are our top beauty treatments that will give you the ultimate bridal glow.

Conclusion

Remember Why You’re Getting Married
At the end of the day, the wedding is one day; a marriage is meant to be forever. So, remember not to neglect your relationship throughout the planning process, spend lots of time together and plan ahead into the future.

And, above all else, have fun! A wedding is a happy time to let loose, dance, and celebrate your love with all the people that matter to you.