Getting married is a big deal. It will be a huge, once-in-a-lifetime experience for you both.

Many couples tell me that there is a lot of pressure to get things right, both for themselves and for their guests.

Of course you want it to be special.

I get it. Planning a big, special event can be a complex and overwhelming process.

But it also it should be an exciting time for you both. It’s important to be able to enjoy the planning process as much as possible and keep the stress to a minimum.

So here are a few simple tips to help you keep the stress levels down and make things more enjoyable for you both.

Be clear and aligned on your vision for the day: 

It’s really important from the get-go that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to what you do and don’t want. Chances are there will be some compromises that need to be made, so it’s best to figure these things out sooner rather than later!

Start Early: 

Give yourself plenty of time to plan and organise. There is a lot to do and also availability of suppliers and venues to contend with. The more time you give yourself the easier things will be.

Communicate: 

It’s really important that you can communicate with your partner and express your feelings or any concerns you may have. Remember you are a team and in this together and you will need to support each other along the way.

Avoid people pleasing: 

In trying to please everyone you will please no one! It’s very easy to get sucked in to worrying too much about what your friends or family may want or expect from your wedding. Try to remember that it is your big day, so please put yourself and your partner first. Sometimes you may just have to say ‘no’. Use your own judgment and listen to your own feelings about the matter. You don’t want to create conflict, but at the same time you only get to do this once!

Set a Budget: 

Know what you’re willing to spend and stick to it. If possible try to factor in a little surplus in case of emergencies or unexpected costs, it can happen!

Prioritise: 

Focus on what’s most important to you as a couple. From the venue, to vendors, to the guest list. Figure out what elements are the most important and make sure they are taken care of first. You don’t want to be in a position where you can’t have something you want because you spent all your money on something else that was ultimately less important.

Delegate: 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. You don’t have to complete every single task on your own. You’ll probably find that certain members of your family or friends group will be more than happy to help out. This is especially important for any DIY elements you might be incorporating, such as assembling favour packs.

Have a contingency: 

Not everything goes exactly to plan all the time. Its really important to make sure you have a plan B! This could be because the weather is bad on the day, or the wedding band you want is unavailable. Make sure you give yourself options and have back-ups for when plan A fails

Enjoy the Process: 

Take time to savor the journey to your big day. Focus on the fun in the process, remember this is an exciting time!

Get your Ultimate Wedding Checklist: 

To help you keep your wedding planing stress-free, I’ve created a checklist that organises all of the major tasks associated with wedding planning in to timeframes.

It’s completely free and you can get it HERE.