AD. I’m one of those jammy, slightly annoying people who, when asked how I found wedding planning, genuinely replies with “easy peasy and totally stress free.” You hear so many horror stories when it comes to weddings... Things not going to plan, money worries, and women turning into full-blown “Bridezillas” (I really hate that phrase). But honestly? That just wasn’t my experience. Everything was plain sailing for Dan and I. No disagreements, no stress. Just a really lovely, enjoyable process. When we look back on our wedding day, we’re filled with pure joy. We could, of course, have just been lucky, but I’d like to think there were a few things we put in place early on that helped us plan a stress free wedding from start to finish.
5 Tips To Plan A Stress Free Wedding
1. Timing Is Everything
Trying to plan a wedding in a short, high-pressure time frame filled us both with dread. I’m usually all for working under pressure (I often find it brings out the best results) but when it came to our wedding, I honestly couldn’t think of anything worse. We have friends who planned their weddings in five or six months, and seeing the stress and turmoil they went through for something that’s meant to be one of the happiest days of your life just didn’t sit right with me.
We booked our wedding two years in advance. At the time it felt slightly excessive, but in hindsight it was the best decision we could have made. Having time on our side meant no rushing, no panic, and no sleepless nights. And trust me, those 730 days go by far quicker than you’d think!
If you want a stress free wedding planning experience, give yourself as much time as you possibly can.
2. Remember It’s Your Day
Before we booked our wedding, we were torn between eloping just the two of us or celebrating with family. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in pleasing everyone else, to the point where you forget the day is actually about you.
We were very lucky, both of our families let us do exactly what we wanted. The only area we struggled with slightly was the guest list. Initially, we planned for around 50 extra people who didn’t actually attend on the day. Who those 50 people were? I honestly couldn’t tell you looking back now. And that’s kind of exactly the point!
Think carefully about who you truly want to share your wedding day with. It’s your wedding, and it’s a big deal. If there’s something you’re not 100% happy with, speak up.
This applies to entertainment too. If there’s a band you’ve always dreamed of having, book them, don’t worry about everyone else’s opinions. If you want something a little different, unique entertainment (like a magic mirror or interactive photo experience) can make your day feel even more you.
3. Be Smart With Money
You’ll have heard it a thousand times, put the word “wedding” in front of anything and the price instantly doubles. And honestly? It’s very true. Dan and I pride ourselves on being sensible with money and not falling for marketing ploys. That mindset helped massively when it came to planning our wedding. There are endless options out there, all at wildly different price points, and it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed.
Doing your research is key to planning a stress free wedding on any budget. Ask yourself:
- Can I make this myself?
- Can I buy it second-hand?
- Do I know someone who could offer this as a wedding gift?
I wouldn’t say our wedding was cheap. But we saved where we could, and it made a huge difference. Most importantly, we didn’t use credit cards. No post-wedding financial hangover, hallelujah!
4. What Will Be, Will Be
I’m a positive Polly through and through. My husband says it’s both my best and worst trait, but when it comes to trusting fate, I’m so laid back I’m practically horizontal. There’s only so much you can control when planning a wedding. Some things are firmly out of your hands... And worrying about them won’t change a thing.
What if it rains? Who cares. You can’t make the sun shine, so embrace it. Your wedding photographer will make photos will look amazing. They'll be cool, edgy, and memorable.
What if guests don’t turn up? Who cares. You’re still marrying the love of your life, and it’s their loss, not yours.
If you want a stress free wedding, keep reminding yourself why you’re getting married in the first place. Everything else is just background noise.
5. Take Time Out From Wedding Planning
Wedding planning can very quickly take over your entire existence. We’re constantly told it’s going to be the best day of our lives. Which is wonderful, but also a huge amount of pressure! Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away. You don’t need a luxury holiday (although that would be nice). Even something as simple as getting outdoors and shifting your focus can work wonders. Remove yourself from the situation, clear your head, and come back refreshed. You’ll be amazed at how much more motivated and positive you feel, which is exactly what you need for stress free wedding planning.
6. Have a Baby (Sort Of…)
Okay, this one’s said very much in jest. And it's a situation that's somewhat unique to us.... We found out a month before our wedding that I was pregnant, and honestly? It took all the stress out of the day. Suddenly, everything was put into perspective.
As incredible as our wedding day was, and it truly was the best day of our lives, it didn’t compare to what was coming next for us. Exciting, terrifying, and wonderful all at once.
Final Thoughts on Planning a Stress Free Wedding
One thing that will always stick with me is how many people told me I was the least stressed bride they’d ever seen, both before walking down the aisle and on the day itself. It generally takes quite a lot to send me into a tizz, so I had high hopes that our wedding planning would follow suit. And guess what? It did.
With time, perspective, and a focus on what really matters, planning a stress free wedding is absolutely possible.
