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There’s a certain irony in how something meant to celebrate love—a wedding—can stretch your patience, drain your bank account, and make you briefly contemplate eloping to Iceland. Wedding planning, for all its Pinterest boards and heart-shaped confetti, is a gauntlet of stress dressed up in white.
It asks you to make 7,000 decisions you’ve never made before and suddenly care deeply about things like charger plates, which, as it turns out, are not for charging anything. The pressure to get it all “just right” can feel like a second full-time job, and if you’re already waking up at 3 a.m. wondering whether your reception playlist should include ABBA, you’re far from alone.
Outsource the Unnecessary—Even the Guilt
One of the most effective things you can do is ruthlessly delegate. The guest list doesn’t have to be solely your burden; the seating chart can be a shared document, not a solo mission of doom. Let your partner, friends, or even your mom take over tasks that don’t require your specific input, and don’t fall into the trap of thinking you have to “own” everything because you’re the one with the wedding binder.
Even more importantly, delegate your guilt. You’re not a bad person for not hand-lettering every invitation or for choosing cupcakes instead of a five-tier cake that defies gravity. Take a breath. Let it go.
Call the Comparison Game What It Is: Poison
Social media can be a brutal mirror, especially when it’s reflecting someone else’s $75,000 wedding in Santorini. You scroll, you spiral. Suddenly your venue looks drab, your dress feels meh, and your budget seems like a cruel joke. Stop. It’s a highlight reel, not a full picture.
You don’t see the debt, the family fights, or the silent panic attacks lurking behind that perfect shot of flower-strewn vows. Your wedding doesn’t need to compete with anyone else’s—your only job is to make it feel like yours. That’s the only benchmark that matters.
Redefine “Perfect” Before It Breaks You
The illusion of a flawless wedding is intoxicating and completely fake. Something will go wrong. It might be small (your bouquet shows up slightly off-color) or big (the DJ gets COVID the day before). But if you’re chasing perfection, you’ll miss out on the deeply imperfect beauty of what’s actually happening: you’re getting married.
Reframe success as “joyful” or “authentic” or even “we didn’t cry in the bathroom,” if that’s where you’re at. A wedding doesn’t have to be perfect to be unforgettable. Give yourself permission to aim for meaning instead of manicured.
Let Nature Do Some of the Heavy Lifting
When the logistics get loud and your to-do list starts looking like a CVS receipt, grounding yourself with natural stress relief can be a game-changer. You don’t need to go full-on forest hermit to reset your nervous system—just a few swaps can ease the pressure.
• THCA: THCA, the non-psychoactive precursor to THC, has shown promise in reducing stress and anxiety. If you’re looking for a way to relax your mind without feeling high, this is worth checking out —just be sure to research reputable brands before diving in.
• Ashwagandha: This adaptogenic herb has been used for centuries to help the body manage stress. It can subtly take the edge off and support emotional resilience during chaotic planning phases.
• Magnesium: Often overlooked, magnesium plays a big role in calming the nervous system. A daily supplement or even a warm soak in magnesium salts can gently dial things down.
• L-theanine: Found in green tea, this amino acid helps promote relaxation without drowsiness. It pairs well with caffeine if you still need to be productive but don’t want to feel frazzled.
Take the Emotionally Lazy Way Out (Sometimes)
You don’t have to win every disagreement or explain every decision. When your cousin asks why she isn’t a bridesmaid, you can say, “It was a tough decision” and move on. When someone insists you need a second photographer, you can smile and say, “We’re really happy with our plan.”
Not every interaction requires deep emotional labor. Protect your peace by choosing the easy way out when it doesn’t compromise your integrity. You’re allowed to conserve your energy for the moments that actually deserve it—like writing your vows or deciding whether you really want to include the Chicken Dance.
Create Rituals That Aren’t Wedding-Related
Planning a wedding can take over your life in quiet, insidious ways. Suddenly every conversation, every errand, and every weekend revolves around this one day. To stay grounded, carve out space for things that have nothing to do with it.
Maybe it’s a weekly walk where wedding talk is off-limits, or a night where you and your partner binge trash TV instead of emailing vendors. It’s not a waste of time—it’s necessary maintenance for your relationship and your mental health. The wedding is a chapter, not the book. Don’t forget to live while you’re planning.
Remember Why You’re Even Doing This
It’s easy to get so lost in the planning that you forget the reason behind all of it. You’re not hosting an event to impress your cousin’s new boyfriend or to outdo your college roommate’s wedding in Maui. You’re doing this because you found a person you want to build a life with. Return to that when everything else gets noisy. Light a candle, write them a note, or just look at them across the room and remember: this is about love, not logistics. The rest is confetti.
Wedding planning is not inherently shallow or silly. Wanting a day that reflects your story and feels beautiful is a valid desire. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through every decision or let stress become your default state of being. You can care about the details and still step away. You can plan something meaningful without making yourself miserable.
This is your day, yes—but more importantly, it’s your life. And you deserve to arrive at that altar happy, grounded, and fully present for the moment that actually matters: the one where you say “I do.”
Feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning? Visit Weddings from the Heart Blog for expert advice, practical tips, and inspiration to plan your dream wedding with confidence!
Author Bio:
Amos Faulkner wants to help people “do money well.” Money is a constant in our lives. Yet, as a bank teller, Amos realized that many people don’t pay enough attention to how much they have or how much they need, now and in the future. Well, now, the buck stops with his site, domoneywell.com. From teaching your children how to manage their money to saving for your golden years, Amos will cover it all.
