10 Tips on How to Manage and Reduce Wedding Stress

My husband and I were married six years ago this February. In honor of that anniversary, below are my 10 Tips on How to Manage and Reduce Wedding Stress. Weddings can be a source of immense anxiety. Looking back on it now, I can see all the things I could have done differently in order to better enjoy our big day. I hope these tips might help you navigate the wedding planning process!

1.Get a Caterer

Out of the 10 Tips on How to Manage and Reduce Wedding Stress, this tip is my favorite. We had a very small budget for our wedding, so in order to save a little money we skipped the caterer and asked close relatives to bring different dishes (sort of like a pot luck). However, that food preparation added unnecessary stress on me and various family members. There was also no one available to serve or replenish food. Give yourself a break and order a caterer. You don’t need one more thing to think about on your wedding day.

2. Create a Schedule

It’s important to create a schedule for your wedding day. Not only for your own organization, but for the benefit of others in your wedding party. You might think you can have a loose itinerary, but I promise it’s better to have a more rigid outline even if things don’t go to plan. Be sure to allow extra time in the schedule for getting ready, pictures, transportation, etc. Basically my advice is to create a detailed plan, but hold it with an open hand.

3. Delegate Tasks

Do not do everything yourself. Delegate, delegate, delegate. As I mentioned before, getting a caterer is a way to elevate food. You could also assign different duties to your wedding party or family. The only thing you should have on your to-do list on your wedding day is getting married. Any other responsibilities should be shifted away from you.

4. Take it One Thing at a Time

When working to prepare your wedding, take it one thing at a time. Choose a task and work to complete it. Then move on to the next. My sister is currently planning her own wedding in the Spring and she made a detailed checklist for each month prior to the big day. It’s an impressive list and is certainly helping to keep her less stressed in the meantime.

5. Don’t Give In to Pressure

Everyone will have an opinion about your wedding day. Everyone. Remember, this is your day. If you want a small wedding, then have a small wedding. If you want to have an extravagant ceremony on a beach, then go for it. Don’t allow the opinions of others to spoil the vision you have in your head. People pleasing can be an easy trap to fall into, but I encourage you to resist.

6. Think Outside the Box

Another one of the 10 Tips on How to Manage and Reduce Wedding Stress is to think outside the box. Does assembling a wedding party give you hives? Then don’t have one. Would you rather wear a pant suit instead of a ball gown? Go for it! Your wedding can be what you want it to be, so think of what might cause you too much stress and adjust accordingly.

7. Plan a Quiet Morning

Don’t plan any big tasks on the morning of your wedding. Just take that time to soak in the moment and enjoy a quiet morning. The rest of your day will be packed full of chaos and people and inevitable problems. Start with silence, prayer or journaling in order to prepare. I spent the morning of my wedding with my sister and then my bridesmaids. It was such a precious time.

8. Connect with Your Groom

Make time with your bride or groom either before or after the wedding. You could have a first look or a private moment following the ceremony. Get away to take a few photos just the two of you. Remember, this is your day. One you will remember and celebrate every year for years to come. Connect with one another on your wedding day.

9. Prioritize Self Care

Leading up to your wedding day, remember to prioritize self care. Planning can be overwhelming and time consuming. Give yourself a little TLC. Your mental, physical and spiritual health are more important than a perfect wedding day. Go get a massage or take a weekend away. Whatever you need.

10. Embrace the Imperfections

Your wedding day will not go to plan. I have never heard of a single wedding that went without a hitch. Embrace it. There was a blizzard on our big day and half the people invited weren’t able to make it. Things happen, and it’s important to prepare your heart and mind for things to go wrong. The imperfections make it even more memorable.

Thank you for reading 10 Tips on How to Manage and Reduce Wedding Stress. I hope I was able to bring you a little help and encouragement. For more about hygge living check out these posts below:

5 Habits to Adopt for the New Year
5 Helpful Lessons I Have Learned from My Family
How to Cultivate a Stress-Free Holiday Season
10 Organization Tips to to Make Life Easier and Save Time

Subscribe to Be Still and Write below for weekly content and updates, and don’t forget to follow on Pinterest for more book recommendations. Feel free to email me with questions and suggestions.

Love always,