Photo by Parker Grey Photos

As exciting as wedding planning can be, it can also start to feel like it’s completely taking over your life. During those first few weeks after the proposal, take a deep breath, relax and soak in the moment. There’s no need to rush into planning right away. Of course, that’s easier said than done when your mind is racing with all the things that need to get done.

Photo by Arlaina Axenroth Photography

One simple way to ease that stress is by hiring a wedding planner to help you stay organized and on track. Whether you choose partial or full planning services is entirely up to you, but if you plan to handle most of the details yourself, I highly recommend at least hiring a month-of or day-of coordinator. You don’t want to spend your wedding day worrying about logistics when you should be fully present, celebrating with your new spouse.

Photo by Parker Grey Photo

When you start to feel overwhelmed by wedding decisions, take a step back and breathe. Here are some helpful tips to prevent planner burnout.

Photo by ReyK Photo

1. Sticking to Your Routine

There will always be an endless list of things that need to get done, but just because something is on your list doesn’t mean you have to put your entire life on hold to complete it. If you usually work out four times a week, keep doing it! Don’t skip girls’ night or your regular golf game with friends. Try to schedule wedding appointments around your existing routine as much as possible. Of course, there will be times when you need to adjust for vendor availability or scheduling conflicts, but for the most part, you can maintain your normal rhythm without letting wedding tasks take over your life. Prioritize your time, stay balanced, and don’t let planning sweep you off your feet too early.

Photo by Pictures by Ariel

2. Keep Perspective

Focus on what really matters. You’ll hear plenty of opinions about what you should or shouldn’t do, but at the end of the day, you and your partner have the final say. Take suggestions from your VIPs to heart, but don’t be afraid to stand firm on the things that matter most to you. Invest your time and budget in what’s truly important, whether that’s photography, food, or the perfect band.

Photo by Love and Light Wedding Planning

As for the rest? If your parents are requesting something that doesn’t hurt you (and ideally they’re covering the cost), it’s okay to let them have it. Pick your battles wisely. And don’t get caught up in the tiny details like whether your linens have a few creases or if you absolutely need charger plates. You don’t. The truth is, most guests won’t even notice, let alone remember. While those extra touches can be lovely for a luxury event, they’re not worth stressing over. Focus your energy on the moments and details that truly make your wedding yours.

Photo by Andres Lopez Films

3. Silencing the Overwhelm in Your Head

You are your own worst critic. You’ll notice things no one else ever will, wedding-related or not. Think back to middle school: maybe you stressed about how your bangs fell. Did anyone else even notice? Of course not! Everyone was too busy worrying about their own stuff like how their clothes fit, how they did on a test, or what their hair looked like. The same goes for your wedding.

Photo by Parker Grey Photos

Vision boards are meant to inspire and guide your overall theme, not to stress you out over every tiny detail. If you have a specific vision you’re excited to bring to life, go for it! But don’t spend hours obsessing over escort card displays or whether every ceremony chair is spaced exactly five inches apart. Focus on bringing your big vision to life and making sure the elements that truly matter to you feel right. And if something ends up a little off? That’s okay! Only you’ll know, so why worry?

Photo by BeStudios

Instead, try shifting your focus when the stress creeps in. Pick up that book you’ve been wanting to read or dive into a binge-worthy series that completely pulls you in. Give yourself space to reset. When you come back to planning, you’ll feel fresh with new energy and perspective.

4. You Can’t Do It All

You don’t have to do it all yourself. Letting go of control is hard, but delegating is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Your partner, parents, in-laws, and close friends probably already have a good sense of what you want. Give them clear parameters if needed, then let them take on tasks. That way they handle the heavy lifting while you retain final say as they check in about preferences.

Photo by Hey Devan Photo

For example, delegated catering to your partner if food matters most to them. Ask your mom to schedule bridal makeup trials and follow up with artists. This way you still weighed in on decisions, but you don’t have to do the busywork like making calls and chasing emails. This way you can focus on other priorities (like studying for graduate school or simply walking the dogs). Wedding planning can drain your energy if you try to do everything solo. Recognize what can be handed off, reevaluate often, and delegate!

Photo by Love and Light Wedding Planning

5. The Wedding Isn’t the Goal

Your partner is the only one that truly matters at the end of it all. Remember, you’re marrying the love of your life. The wedding isn’t the grand finale; it’s just the beginning. You’re about to spend forever with this person, and every day will bring new adventures, big and small.

Photo by Parker Grey Photo

Sure, not every moment will be glamorous, but would you really want to experience life’s ups and downs with anyone else? When you start to feel lost in the details, take a step back and picture the bigger picture. The home you’ll build together, the trips you’ll take, maybe even the family you’ll grow. The wedding is one beautiful day, but your marriage is the lifelong journey that follows. The best is yet to come.

Photo by ReyK Photo

I hope this post helps keep the wedding scaries at bay. Remember, you’re not alone. Everyone experiences wedding planning burnout at some point (there’s a reason those “forget it, let’s just elope” memes are so popular!).

Photo by BeStudios

In the end, it will all be worth it. Focus on what truly matters, invest your time and money where it counts, and try to enjoy the process as much as you can. This season of planning may feel overwhelming now, but it’s leading you to one of the most beautiful days of your life and an even more beautiful marriage ahead.

Photo by Arlaina Axenroth Photography