5 Self-Care Tips to Survive the Stress of Wedding Planning

To hire a wedding planner or not to hire a wedding planner- that is the question.

From venue locations to cake flavors (and everything between), many decisions go into wedding plans. You may have questions like, “How can I NOT stress about wedding planning?” or “How can I actually enjoy my wedding planning experience?”.

Some brides tackle planning as DIY brides-to-be, which can generate more stress that anticipated.  Other brides hire a wedding planner to help reduce stress. They offer experience in planning and advice along the way. While a planner is helpful, you will still need to make many decisions.

Whether you go it solo or hire a professional for help, planning a wedding is stressful – completely worth it, but stressful.  Don’t be a burned-out bride!  Take care of yourself during the planning process.

Here are five self-care strategies to help minimize stress.

  1. Start with Self-Awareness & Couple Compatibility

Before you take on any other parts of wedding planning, sit down for an honest assessment. What types of decisions do you love making and which details are not as important to you? Involve your soon-to-be spouse! What decisions can you share? Are there some you will make on your own? Are some based on personal preference or following traditional beliefs?

Knowing yourself and your dynamics as a couple are both important. It will improve your planning experience as you move forward into life together. Consider valued areas that are priorities and identify those that aren’t as critical. Defining the most important elements and establishing clear roles for decision-making prevents conflict and stress. It also opens opportunity for delegation of non-critical items if planning gets overwhelming.

  1.  Ensure you have Time to Exercise.

You may already have a pre-wedding or regular lifestyle workout in place. It is important to keep exercise on the top of your priority list, even during the business of wedding plans and preparations. Here’s why…

Exercise has proven psychological and positive emotional effects for your body. It’s known to reduce stress and improve mental attitudes. You can double up on the good-feel effects by adding an outdoor walk. According to UNC Health Talk, “different parts of our brain activate in nature.”  Physical reactions such as lower heart rate and blood pressure. A simple 15-minute stroll around the block can help calm your body and refresh your mind.

Staying active helps combat the effects of a demanding schedule and decision-making stress.

  1. Creatively Express your Feelings.

This is a once-in-lifetime experience. Take time to express your feelings throughout the process. Enjoy writing or sketching? Keep a journal of important moments throughout your wedding planning process. According to Very Well Mind, journaling counteracts many negative effects of stress, improves cognitive functioning, and strengthens the immune system.

Make note of the key details for the day. Receive the best advice or hear a story that was unforgettable? Jot it down, include doodles, photos or stickers. Process and express your feelings about the journey you’re on.  Celebrate the positive and acknowledge and clear the negative in a creative way.

Added plus?  You’ll have a keepsake you can look back on later.

  1. Get Good at Delegating.

Remember rule number one?

If friends and family offer help, give them something to do!  Allow them to contribute to your wedding in a meaningful way and reduce your stress levels.

Individual tasks such as vendor pickups can allow a loved one to contribute and reduce your to-do lists. Creating DIY décor can offer a personal way other share in the wedding experience. If done as a group, DIY décor can become a beautiful in-tandem wedding memory with its own stories to tell.

  1. Wedding Insurance is Worth Considering – especially for destination weddings and military couples.

What is wedding insurance, and do I need it? We’re glad you asked.

Wedding insurance is event insurance. It protects you if unforeseen circumstances occur and cause damages or injuries. Some insurances even cover some circumstances that preventing you from having your wedding when or where planned.

There are two common types:

  • Cancellation
  • Liability Coverage

Ask your venue if they offer any amount of coverage. If so, ask specifically about body and property damage coverage limits.  Learn more about wedding insurance in our related article: Your Wedding Life Preserver.

Military couple? Most wedding event insurance carriers do not offer coverage for military deployments, USAA has it specifically cited. In some instances, this could the extra padding you need to take the stress off events you cannot control.

Have a “Plan A” and “Plan B” maybe even “Plan C”

Some details and plans will be set in stone – like venue, colors, and theme. Some parts of planning include backup plans. For example, an outdoor garden wedding venue will need an indoor space in the event of rain. If an outdoor event is a must for you, consider wedding insurance that would cover costs in the event of rain. Mishaps and circumstances come up. You can choose to make those details (in the event it happens) part of your unique wedding story. Either way, having backup or contingency plans will help make stress levels manageable, even if the “unexpected” happens.

No matter how important this day is, you will want to be happy and healthy when you get there and for many years afterward. Planning for self-care and stress-reduction will prove to be energy well-spent.  A beautiful bride is beaming, not burned-out. Love yourself and it will show.

Bride-to-be’s and newly Mrs., share your story with us!  Get social on Instagram or Facebook and share your favorite self-care tip or a best advice you received during your wedding planning journey.