Once you get engaged, you have to gear up to take on everything that comes with planning a wedding. Big or small, there is usually a fair bit to do before you walk down the aisle, and chances are you already have a full-time job that requires your total attention.
It can be tricky to find time to manage both your work and wedding planning, as well as staying sane and enjoying your engagement. I’ve rounded up some helpful tips and tricks to balance your new hectic schedule!
Get a Wedding Planning Checklist
This is key! These checklists are all over Pinterest, and even in wedding planning guidebooks (yes, they make those). So find one that contains things that pertain to your wedding, and have a look at the breakdown. Typically, they will break it down according to the timeframe leading up the wedding. For example,12 months before the wedding you should be locking down your venue, deciding on a budget and beginning your hunt for the perfect dress, and 6 weeks before your wedding you should be confirming with vendors and picking up marriage licenses. This will help you set manageable goals without getting too overwhelmed by the big picture.
Delegate like a pro
Remember: You are not in this alone, it’s not a solo project. Although you do get to run the show if you choose, you can (and should) enlist the help of your fiance, your bridesmaids, mother, future mother-in-law and other friends and family members who volunteer their time and assistance. There are a lot of things that can be split up and divided among your team! For example, you could always have your bridesmaids hunt down some gown options in your colour palette, that way all you have to do is choose one! And spending weekends looking at venues and tasting cakes with your fiance should be enjoyable, and it’s half of the fun of being an engaged couple!
Find Apps that Work for You
I like to use an app called “Any Do” to make myself interactive to-do lists. I get a lot of satisfaction from plugging in everything I have to do for the next day, then swiping to tick them off as I accomplish them. Any Do lets you pop items into different categories, so you can easily make a category for “work” and one for “wedding”, so you can keep your lists separate without overwhelming yourself with your task list. There are loads of productivity apps out there, it’s just about finding what method of organization works best for you and your goals! Just maybe stick with one or two, too many apps can just add clutter to your already busy schedule!
Don’t Bite off More than You can Chew
A lot of couples go a bit DIY crazy and attempt to create a lot of components of their wedding themselves, from scratch. While I applaud these couples that pull this off, sometimes I think it may be a bit more trouble than it’s worth. It can be easy to build a massive Pinterest board full of amazing ideas, but in the end, the time you will save from just buying or paying someone to do it will be invaluable. So please, if you are a calligraphy wiz, make some cards and signage! But if you don’t have access to an industrial kitchen, maybe don’t bake each of your guests chocolate chip cookies for the reception (yes, this has been attempted in a tiny NYC apartment), and just give yourself manageable goals that are not going to make you crazy.
Give yourself Time Off!
Essentially, you’re working two full-time jobs if you’re also planning a wedding (shout out to all the professional wedding planners out there!) And just like overworking, it is very possible to get burnt out quickly. Make sure that you set aside free time away from work and planning. Things like making sure you get to the gym when you need to, having dinner with your partner every night, and even planning a weekend away will all help you stay sane. Above all, it will help you remain enthusiastic about both your career and setting up the big day!
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Goli Parvinian is a bridal enthusiast and masters student living in Melbourne, Australia. Over the past few years, she has worked for bridal brands in her hometown of Chicago, New Zealand and New York City. You can typically find her in a cafe, face-timing her nieces or out on a long run.