I will be the first to admit, wedding planning is NOT an easy feat. Mainly because it’s filled with stress. Yes, S-T-R-E-S-S. Oh sure, it’s fun filling up your pinterest board with beautiful photos, going to cake tastings, and registering for gifts. It looks and sounds like rainbows and sunshine, but let me tell you, this experience — planning said wedding — has definitely tested my patience, and pushed me to limits I didn’t know existed.
Those brides that tell you wedding planning is ‘FUN’ ? They’re probably lying. OK that’s not true. Wedding planning can be fun. I’m here to tell you a few secrets that these happy-go-lucky and (sometimes) stress free brides would want you to know.
TIME
Did you know the average length of an engagement is 13 months? That’s 13 months to spread out approximately 36,896 tasks and to-do’s for the big day. The more time to plan, the better. Really. Plus, fiancé is such a fancy word, that you’ll only be able to say in the span of your engagement, so enjoy it!
BREAKS
Our engagement is going to last exactly 322 days. While that’s nearly a full year of planning, I find that taking wedding planning breaks is much, much needed to contribute to my sanity. I allow myself to focus on only a few things at a time, the rest can wait, and once those tasks are checked off my list? I don’t touch my wedding planning notebook for at least 2 weeks.
ORGANIZATION
OK this is pretty important, and may not come to a shock to you but being an organized person will take you far, especially with wedding planning. Keeping the guest list, collecting all those addresses, ensuring save-the-dates were sent to batch one, two, and three, who has what food allergy? Your wedding binder will become your bible. Give in and own it (it’ll feel so good).
FLEXIBILITY
Things are going to go wrong in the planning stages, like an in idea you have your heart set on may not be so easily fleshed out for whatever reason. Pick yourself up and move onto a new idea. Like peonies not being in season in December (insert all the tear faced emoji’s (PEONIES, guys!)). My florist is finding similar alternatives. Done.
DELEGATION
Remember those 36,896 tasks I told you about? Yeah, you’ll want to delegate a solid 1/3 of those by the time month 2 rolls around. I promise. Though I’m a VERY big believer in the old saying, ‘if you want something done right, do it yourself,’ but when it comes to planning your wedding, somethings are better left to the hands of others. And believe me, people will want to help out, they’ll be eager to be involved, so let them.
CONFIDENCE
Everyone is going to have an opinion. Everyone. Let them. But sticking with your vision, your colors, your theme, and the decisions that you’ve done tons of research on, poured your heart and soul into is a must. Seriously. Don’t let anyone question what is already done, or let talk you into anything you’re not happy with. I’m still working on this, btw.
COMPROMISE
The two of you will have to make so many joint decisions, it’ll blow your mind. So agreeing on a vision pretty early on is crucial. More than that, compromises, compromises, compromises. Alex and I have a pretty good system worked out for it, we each surrender to small potatoes. Or in other words, pick your battles and what you’re going to make a fuss about.
PERSPECTIVE
Remember, the wedding is simply one day (albeit the bestdayever, right!) of your life. Ultimately, none of it matters except the celebration of your marriage with your friends and family. Keep your perspective in check, and all should be OK — easier said than done, I know.
So yeah, it’s a period in your life filled with stress, but guys, it’s also incredible, wonderful, and a brand new experience with the love of your life. Filled with unexplored waters that you get to navigate together. (#engagedlife forever!)