Planning a wedding can have its stressful moments, but the whole experience is supposed to be fun, not taxing. Being stressed at the thought of wedding planning is totally normal, but the big day is a chance to showcase your love and commitment to your S.O. with your close friends and family. The key is to put things into perspective. Remember, a marriage is so much more than just the wedding day. Our friends at Earnest are sharing these 3 tips to keep you and your spouse calm, cool, and collected during the process.
Designate a Day-of Contact
Nominate a trusted friend or family member to make last-minute decisions for you on the big day. You have enough to worry about from hair and makeup and the anxiousness of walking down the aisle, you don’t need to add another stressor in the mix. Whether it be a problem with the caterer or dealing with no-show guests, you want to make sure you’re the last person to hear about it.
Budget for 3 Non-Negotiables
Pick three items to splurge on for your wedding day and stick to it. These are going to be three items you won’t feel guilty about shelling out top dollar for. Whether it be choosing to spend a pretty penny on a designer wedding dress or choosing a rockstar wedding photographer, if you set aside a certain percentage of your budget for these non-negotiables, you know what you have left to work with for the rest of the planning process. This eliminates the pressure to overspend in other areas which will keep your mind and bank account from stressing out. Focus on what’s important to you and your spouse, rather than what the wedding industry is telling you.
Communication is Key
Don’t let the stress of wedding planning put a strain on the whole reason you’re planning a wedding in the first place: to celebrate your love for one another! Having an open line of honest communication is crucial to ensure the wedding planning process is smooth sailing. You might want to bottle up your emotions to avoid conflict in the middle of your engagement, but instead, share what’s stressing you out and why, and let your partner know if there’s anything they can do to help. If you do argue, remain respectful, patient, and most importantly listen.
Money can be the cause of one of the main stressors in a relationship, so it’s important to put everything out on the table and be transparent with your partner. Whether it be coming clean about debt, spending habits, or just even how much money you have in the bank, you’ll be happy you’ve laid everything out on the table. If debt plagues your relationship, know there are resources out there to help, companies like Earnest can help you refinance your student loans for a better interest rate and lower monthly payment. It’s important to know how much debt you’re dealing with and make a plan to conquer it together. Whatever the case may be, being truthful and candid will ease any stress going forward.
