Yes! I am starting my first blog post with the dreaded “S” word that we’ve all fallen victim to at one point in our lives. The sooner you build your strategy to tackle wedding-related stress, the easier and more enjoyable planning your big day is going to be! Weddings are a magnificent ritual of love and devotion, and they should be a personal expression of the relationship you and your partner share. There are a few key things you can do early on to make sure your wedding, and the months of planning, go as smoothly as possible!
1- FIND YOUR CREW
Bridal parties are a classic part of traditional weddings, but not all brides or grooms choose to have them. This could be because you desire a smaller wedding, or you just want a simpler day. Regardless whether you choose to have friends standing beside you when you say your vows, you still need your crew! As soon as you announce your engagement, there will be friends, family and social media putting unexpected pressure on your plans. Your CREW will be there to support you and your future spouse, and help you filter out any unnecessary static from the outside world. Your crew might be your siblings, your closest friends, your parents, or even some of your vendors! Make sure to locate them early on and ask them to be a part of your planning process- and let them know exactly what you need help with! Your marriage will be perpetually supported by your community in unexpected ways, and the sooner you allow your community to help you, the better and more meaningful your event planning will become!
2- KNOW YOUR BUDGET
Planning a wedding is impossible without knowing how much money you have to spend on it. You won’t know what venue, photographer, or attire you can afford, let alone how many guests you can invite! Save yourself budget stress by knowing the total dollar amount you have to work with, and then dividing it up from there.
3- DO NOT COMPARE YOUR DAY TO ANYONE ELSE’S
Here’s where it gets tricky. We are hit on a daily basis with images of other peoples weddings, engagements, and families from social media. Most people know that these images are idealized glimpses into others’ realities, but it is still very difficult to tune out what you see, and in the process, compare yourself with it. Your wedding will be more meaningful the more you focus on who you and your future spouse are as people, and let your personalities shine. This day is about YOU, not Instagram or Facebook!
4- FOCUS ON YOUR LOVE
If you spend too much time choosing between red velvet and hazelnut cakes, you’re bound to get into at least one minor tiff with your partner. Remember to come back to the real reason you are getting married- your love for one another- and to dismiss any of the undue stress that comes with event planning. Which brings us to #5…
5- BRING IN OUTSIDE HELP
Weddings can dredge up many unexpected emotions, and in the midst of the joy, excitement, and- yes you guessed it- stress, it’s important to bring in someone from the outside to help you through it. A wedding planner can take most of the burden off of your shoulders, or a coordinator can come in to polish and organize your final details and ensure that everything runs smoothly on your wedding day. Not to be too on-the-nose, but you’re already in the right place to find that help- so reach out to me any time, and let’s talk about getting you the wedding of your dreams!
Naomi Grace Events 