Weddings are magical. Wedding planning stress? Not so much. Here are 10 tips to beat anxiety and stress for your wedding day!

A wedding is one of the most fun, memorable experiences a couple will share in their entire lives. However, wedding planning may not always be as romantic as the movies make it look. Choosing between wedding dresses, coordinating with suppliers, picking a venue—among a million other things—can easily result in wedding planning stress. That’s where we come in.

Here at Afarose, we celebrate LOVE. It’s kind of our thing. Even more so, we want your special day to be everything you’ve dreamed of and then some. That’s why we’ve compiled a list to help you and your partner alleviate stress and have the experience you deserve!

1. Create a Master Wedding Plan

The best antidote to wedding planning stress? A well-thought-out plan! Couples should create a list of everything they need to accomplish and set a timeline. Most couples schedule their wedding 12 months after their engagement, allotting them ample time to bask in the excitement and plan.

Couples should discuss the type of wedding they would like to have, curate their list of vendors and suppliers, create guest lists, and establish a timeline of tasks to finish. Having a timeline will allow couples to remain organized and relaxed.

2. Lay Out a Wedding Budget

Big or small, a budget serves an incredibly important role in getting to the altar, so it’s best to determine it realistically. It’s also necessary to establish how the budget will be achieved: will it come from personal savings, a loan, or parents? The next step is to create a wedding budget breakdown, to decide how to allocate funds.

3. Set Realistic Expectations

Everyone wants to have their fairytale dream wedding, we want you to have your fairytale dream wedding. However, to avoid wedding planning stress, it’s important for couples to be realistic. Wedding plans should match the resources of the couple. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s trending. We promise you it’s all in the details, and you don’t need to be a millionaire to make them memorable.

4. Communicate

It’s stressful having to accommodate everything you want and everyone you love. Becoming overwhelmed, or experiencing a breakdown, is completely normal. Communication is key. Express yourself fully to your partner/wedding party, so nothing gets lost in translation. Maintain this energy with your suppliers! We also recommend having a confidante to turn to before the big day, and a delegated person to handle any issues that may arise at the wedding.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate

Couples do not need to do everything by themselves. It’s perfectly fine to delegate tasks to family, friends, and members of the wedding party. A wedding planner can be invaluable because they deal with the contractors, keep the timeline intact, and manage any drama that may happen on the couple’s special day.

6. Avoid Wedding Anxiety Triggers

Realistically, no matter what, life is life. What’s going to happen is going to happen. And that’s okay! You are marrying the love of your life. That’s what matters, not the embroidered place settings. Obsessing over the tiniest details can elevate stress levels and trigger anxiety. Doing so should be avoided, especially on the days leading up to the wedding.

Also, if there’s just too much for the couple to do on their own, they should consider hiring a professional wedding planner. Having an expert on their side will work wonders to both ease wedding planning stress and foster a beautiful wedding.

Afarose Insider Tip: Couples should plan out most of their wedding, but they should also leave room for them to be creative and flexible along the way. Less stress, more spontaneity! What a great way to start a marriage.

7. Send Out Save-the-Date Notices Early

Couples should send out their save-the-date notices early, so their guests have enough time to plan their schedule and any travel or accommodations needed.

This will also allow the couple to make any necessary changes to their guest list if the date doesn’t work for several friends or family members.

Sending out physical save-the-date notices is also a great, personalized way to set the tone for an intimate ceremony.

8. Devote Time to Self-care

Because wedding planning requires so much energy, couples should devote time to self-care. This can mean anything from spa days to dates nights to just having alone time. During these times, the couple should avoid talking about wedding planning, so they can really relax and destress.

9. Schedule Mock Trial Runs

All the planning in the world may not be enough to prepare a couple for the actual event, but trial runs definitely help. Trial runs are the perfect opportunity for the couple to rehearse and see how everything would go on their special day. For example, brides can schedule a trial hair and makeup session to estimate the amount of time they would need to prepare. Having a food tasting session or rehearsal dinner can also help in creating the final menu and getting everyone excited!

10. Stay Positive

Anxiety is fed by negative thoughts. While it is important to have a realistic perspective of how wedding planning is going, couples should try to remain positive. It’s your wedding day, after all! Couples should envision their wedding day as the success they want it to be; this will help combat wedding planning stress.

Bust Wedding Planning Stress & Stay Focused on Having Fun!

Wedding planning should be an enjoyable experience for a couple, as it is bound to be one of the most memorable things they will do together. Avoiding wedding planning stress is important to preserve the joy of the occasion.

Here at Afarose, we have made it our mission to guide you to the altar (metaphorically, of course). To summarize, couples should choose a wedding theme and search for the perfect wedding dress. Afarose is the perfect place for a bride to say yes to the dress, and couples can find tips and guides to help them plan their dream wedding.

Afarose’s new virtual interactive showroom launched in February 2022. Now you can take bridal party collaboration to another level! Add comments for your bridal party about dress options and get feedback all in one convenient platform.

Contact Afarose for a virtual appointment to learn how they can help you prepare for your special wedding day!