From the moment you say yes and begin planning the wedding that you have been (not so) secretly planning all of your life, you soon realize just how much stress is involved.
The main reason for this is, because, you are planning your big day for real. It is no longer a fantasy – no longer are you that little girl day dreaming about your special day with Prince Charming. Now there are budgets to stick to, and actual arrangements to make.
Some are fun, like the dress fitting and searching for the perfect venue for your wedding, and some are not so fun, such as catering for all of your guests dietary requirements. Regardless of how much time you have given yourself to plan the wedding, this will undoubtedly be the cause of a lot of stress which can lead to petty arguments with your significant other.
Set a Budget and Stick to it
After the initial engagement celebrations, together as a couple set yourself a budget and stick to it. Consider how much you will realistically be able to save and how long you are giving yourself to save. Ideally, you are giving yourself at least 12-18 months to plan the big day and save funds, but that is not to say that you cannot and should not opt for a short engagement.
Decide on what you want at the wedding (catering, entertainment, decorations etc…) and look to gain at least three quotes for each. This will give you a better idea of where your budget should be, as well as giving you a better bargaining tool when it comes to negotiating prices.
Unfortunately, you may find that, realistically, you cannot afford everything that your dream wedding incorporates, but that is nothing to get hung up about. Your wedding day is a celebration of love and, just like any good relationship; concessions and compromises will have to be made.
Do Not Allow Planning to Take Over your Life
The mistake that so many brides make is to allow planning to take over their lives, thinking about the wedding at every waking moment. While you should make time to plan your wedding, just as you should for any event, this should not become the only aspect of your life as you can easily fall into the trap of overthinking every minor detail. Think bridezilla.
Do have fun with planning, though, as you only get married once – all going well. Include family and friends in your discussions, involve them in planning for your big day, but do not lose sight of the fact that there are other things going on, too.
Delegation
Touching on the point of involving friends and family, do not feel as though you have to take charge on every single piece of your wedding day. There are two of you, after all, and you should both be contributing an equal amount in the planning stages.
Your bridesmaid(s) will also be more than happy to help you pick out essentials for your wedding day. After all, it is their role to support the bride in the run up to and on the big day, so be sure to call on them when needed!
Remember that, when it is all said and done, the wedding is a time for all of your friends and family to come together as you take your vows and dedicate your lives to one and other. No matter how big or small the material elements are, the wedding day will be a day that lives long in the memory.