You’re getting married! It’s a dream come true and you should feel nothing but happy, right? If you’re anything like me, or any of my friends who are married or engaged, the answer is no. You might feel overwhelmed, stressed or ready to throw in the towel. But it doesn’t have to be that way! I’ve come up with three ways to succeed at wedding planning when everyone is telling you what to do.
3 Ways to Succeed at Wedding Planning When Everyone is Telling You What to Do
When you’re getting married, there are a million things to do and a million people offering advice. You’ll have friends and family telling you what to do, and you’ll have magazines, blogs and other media all offering their opinions as well. It can be hard to know which advice is worth listening to. Here are three ways to succeed at wedding planning when everyone is telling you what to do:
1. Don’t be afraid to say “no”
It’s very tempting to take on every wedding-related task that comes your way. After all, the thought of saying ‘no’ to your friends and family seems downright rude. However, the fact of the matter is that this is your wedding, and it’s not reasonable for you to take on every responsibility that comes your way. So, don’t be afraid to tell others “no” once in a while — especially if you think someone is trying to push too much work onto you with no regard for your time or money constraints.
In fact, practice saying no. It’s okay to do something for yourself, and it’s okay to do something that isn’t wholly pleasing to everyone. The world will keep spinning, and you might just be a little happier for doing it.
People can be so bossy during weddings (and showers and engagement parties and bridal shows). They want to make sure the bride is happy, but it doesn’t always matter about the groom’s happiness or anyone else’s for that matter. I’m not saying ignore what your fiancé wants. But don’t let people boss you around just because it’s tradition or because they’re paying for things.
And if someone gets all huffy with you and drops out as a shower guest? That’s five bucks saved on thank you cards!
2. Stay Organized from the Start
One of the biggest challenges with wedding planning is keeping everything organized. There are so many details, people, and appointments that it’s easy to lose focus and get overwhelmed by it all.
You want to make sure that you’re staying on top of everything, so start using a wedding checklist as soon as possible. If a friend or family member volunteers to be in charge of an item on your list, make sure they are accountable for completing it and follow up with them if they don’t.
There will be many people in your life who want to help—whether they are genuinely excited for you or they are simply anxious to get involved. Everyone from family, friends, coworkers and vendors have an opinion about what makes a perfect wedding. Listening to their suggestions sounds like a dream come true but it can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips for staying organized when everyone is telling you what to do:
Create a master guest list that includes all important information about each guest from addresses and phone numbers, to dietary restrictions and travel plans. This will help you as you begin sending out invitations and as you continue to make decisions about the day-of details.
Have one place for all of your vendor information: contact information, contracts, notes and files. This will give you quick access to everything you need when an important decision needs to be made.
Make sure that the people helping with your wedding have their specific assignments and deadlines set so that they can work independently. Use spreadsheets or other organizational tools that work best for you so that no one slips through the cracks on any task.
3. Follow your instincts, not everyone else’s opinion
The best way to have a stress-free wedding is to put your own unique stamp on it. Whether you’re planning a British wedding abroad, or simply want to inject a little American culture into the proceedings, that’s entirely up to you.
Trying to please everyone else can result in you not being happy with what you’ve chosen for your own special day. It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s opinions and ideas, especially when they’re constantly being thrown at you from every angle.
Your wedding day is supposed to be the best day of your life, but it can also be one of the most stressful. If you’re being overwhelmed by all the planning, don’t give in to the temptation to let
other people make decisions for you. You need to do what feels right for you – and if that means having a British wedding abroad with a bit of American fun thrown in, then so be it!
The Bottom Line
Above all, remember that you are the bride, and what you want is what matters. Yes, there will be opinions and suggestions. But ultimately, the decision has to be yours. If you follow the 3 tips above, you’ll be far more likely to come out a winner than if you don’t. Don’t let everyone else set the course of your wedding day-you plan it how you want it!
January 19, 2022
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