Managing Wedding Planning Stress as a Team
If you’re planning a wedding, likely…it’s been stressful. For many couples, this is the first time you’re in a group project with your partne, and it’s a major one. Just plan a meaningful ceremony and a fun party for a large number of people that is representative of you as a couple and makes your respective loved ones happy, while also navigating the social pressures and societal norms. Yeah, stressful!!!
So what can you and your partner do to navigate the overwhelm and stay on the same team?
-Set boundaries - It is so easy to let wedding planning creep into every minute of your life. Determine what boundaries you’d like to have around wedding planning–no talking about wedding details during dinner, no wedding planning after 10 pm, etc.
-Determine what’s most important to you - Every decision can seem so weighty when it comes to wedding planning, but if you were to really sit down and think about it, what feels most important to you? Pick 2-3 aspects of the wedding that feel most meaningful to each of you and use those as a way to remember priorities when things get stressful.
-Protect against outside opinions - Everyone is going to have an opinion on what you should or should not do. Sometimes this feedback is helpful, but sometimes it can make things even more stressful. If someone offers unsolicited advice, let them know you’ll discuss it, but ultimately the decision is up to the two of you.
-Delegate where you can - Wedding planning can be a huge undertaking, and likely there are parts that you two can offload to others. Whether those are support people in your community willing to help you stuff envelopes or craft centerpieces, or professionals like wedding planners and day-of coordinators, aim to let go of aspects where you can!
There is sometimes a narrative around the idea of “wedding planning” as being a wonderful time, since it’s all in service of something amazing. However, the actual planning of it can be incredibly stressful and hard to navigate! If that’s been your experience—know that it’s a common sentiment! Trying some of the above tips can help make it a little easier and keep the two of you grounded until the big day.
