How to overcome wedding planning anxiety and get excited again!
30/08/23
Whilst wedding planning is meant to be one of the most romantic and emotionally giddy seasons of your life, it can also be one of the most stressful and anxiety-provoking experiences you can face. Society and culture denote that when planning a wedding, you should be over the moon and excited about such a momentous occasion but the truth is that it’s not all sugar, spice, and everything nice. As a wedding planner, it almost seems absurd that I am saying this but I’m here to tell you that the feelings you may be going through are not out of the blue. Having planned numerous weddings and supported couples through the wedding planning journey, I think we all should normalise the idea that weddings can invoke stress, anxiety, and in some cases depression. From family opinions and dynamics to finances and massive to do lists, it’s absolutely normal to feel these things and that’s why I want to share some handy tips that I remind couples of when they face these pressure points.
- Your feelings are valid so don’t feel bad about them
It’s ok to feel the way you do and please don’t let anyone shame/bully you into thinking that you are wrong for feeling the way you do. It’s normal to experience these feelings of being overwhelmed so don’t bottle them in. Talk to someone you trust and find a comfortable way of letting it out.
- Think about Purpose
What does this mean you might ask? Essentially, your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple nd that should be your WHY. Think about your personal tastes and styles and what represents the two of you as a couple. Don’t just copy something just for the sake of it; it has to be there for a reason and a purpose. You will never go wrong by choosing to be original and authentic to yourselves. There’s no point having a day that looks or feels out of touch with who you are or worse still, like someone else’s and the best way to avoid this is by starting with the two of you. Look around you and find inspiration elsewhere in your life.
- Money money money
Make sure to set a realistic budget and have a clear idea of what you can/can’t afford. Do your research and don’t put pressure on yourself by trying to accommodate things that aren’t essential.
- Try not to take on too many things at once
Think of the entire wedding planning process as one big jigsaw puzzle and break it down into smaller chunks. The way I approach puzzles is to start with the corners and borders to map out the outline then group the other pieces by colour or similarity until I finish the whole puzzle. Use that analogy to break down the tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Delegate; no person is an island
Don’t feel the need to be a superhero and do it all alone. Whether it’s hiring a wedding planner or rallying in the troops of friends and family, get some help with things you need to be done by people you trust. That way it lightens the load and takes pressure off you and your partner.
- Take a break if you need to
Whether it’s taking a few days off, switching your do not disturb on, taking long walks, or exercising, make sure to take time for wellness and self-care. Oh and don’t forget date nights too to spice things up and strengthen the bond! A good game I encourage couples to play is arranging a date night and whoever talks about the wedding has to buy the other a drink/dessert or pay a fine! Sleep is also very important because it’s important that you are well rested. Lack of sleep definitely shows on the Big Day and no one wants a cranky couple on the wedding day. Remember you won’t get that day back.
- Perfection isn’t the goal, contentment is
Too many people get caught up trying to curate the perfect day and details when the goal really should be contentment in the organic natural flow of the day. Also, stop comparing your day with others because comparison is the thief of joy. The joy of your loved ones in the same place at the same time celebrating your love is what you should visualise in your mind and it’s what should keep you grounded so don’t sweat the small stuff.
I hope these tips will help you navigate the complex emotions that come with wedding planning and spark joy again. Please remember that your day will be beautiful and it will all work together for good. Do let me know if this blog resonates and make sure to share it with anyone you know who might need this.
If you’re a bride or groom to be and need help with planning your wedding, send me an enquiry and find out how my team and I can guide you to bring Purpose and Vision to your Big Day in a way that suits you!
Photo credit: S AWUKU Photography| Nobleman Sparrow Wedding Photography | Affinty Q Photography
