How busy brides navigate the stress of wedding planning

If we’re honest, wedding planning, no matter how fun in theory, is stressful. It doesn’t matter how many Pinterest boards you’ve curated or timelines you’ve colour-coded; there’s no magic wand to wave away the pressure, or the family drama, for that matter. But there’s good news: a few smart tricks from ultra-organised brides can make the Big Day prep feel a lot less like chaos and a lot more like fun.

It’s easy to feel buried under endless to-do lists, other people’s expectations, and your own jittery nerves. But with some careful planning, delegation (that’s what bridesmaids are for, after all), and some practical tools, the experience can shift from overwhelming to genuinely manageable. From savvy digital organisation to carving out essential time for yourself, these six strategies are the ones every bride should know before she walks down the aisle.

6 wedding planning tips for busy brides

Have complete transparency over your budget

It’s no secret that many of us shy away from frank money talk (case in point: only 39% of women feel comfortable disclosing their finances with friends, according to new research from Money and Pensions Service). But if there’s ever an occasion when costs can add up astronomically, it’s a wedding, and setting the budget before delving into meetings with potential vendors and suppliers can be a real time-saver.

It’s essential to establish how much you both are willing to contribute, as well as any costs that respective families are offering to cover or contribute to, so that you have a firm grasp on the figure and can allocate costs accordingly. Managing money can be a tricky business for many of us, so if you’re perhaps a compulsive spender, financially avoidant or a bit of a worrier, it’s helpful to be aware of any potential roadblocks before you begin the wedding planning journey (finding out your money personality could be really useful here!)

Establish the right systems

If you’re a stationery enthusiast, this could mean a series of list-led notebooks, planners and filing systems. If you’re strictly digital, there are some excellent free tools (try The Knot and Joy for websites, guest lists, and RSVPs; Bridebook for budgeting; and Trello for general task management). Treat it like a job and exercise ruthless organisation in the initial planning stages; your future self will thank you.

Schedule self-care with the same dedication as work meetings

Self-care may sound like a buzzword, but we’re not talking bubble baths and fluffy robes (no shame if that’s your idea of ultimate relaxation), but instead moments of stillness, calm and time to check in internally amidst chaotic periods.

Self-care can also look like setting healthy boundaries - over-committing socially is a fast-track to burnout, and it’s important to protect your time, particularly in the build-up to a wedding that has the potential to be draining on energy levels. It’s also important not to let others take over the planning. Others may chime in with opinions, but ultimately it’s your day, your rules.

Don’t rush decisions, big or small

While there may be a lot to get through, rushing never ends well (if you haven’t read it, Rushing Woman Syndrome by Libby Weaver unpacks just how much rushing all the time can negatively affect all areas of our lives). Instead, take the time to read the small print, go over terms and conditions (especially when it comes to cancellations and refunds) and don’t commit until you’re sure it’s the right decision.

Delegate where you can

If you’re someone who often takes on too much or tries to solve every problem alone, this is particularly important. Give yourself permission to delegate where you can, whether that’s enlisting friends and family to help with the set-up and pack-down, or hiring a professional wedding planner to guide you through the entire process. If you’d rather not splash out on the full wedding planner experience, wedding coordinators can stealthily step in just before the event and manage tasks on the ground and during the clean-up.

Consider insuring your wedding

One thing that may ease the pressure of wedding planning is knowing you have an insurance policy in place if things go wrong. Life isn’t perfect, and unexpected things happen, but knowing you’ve taken the time to look at insurance policies can help to ease worried minds, particularly in the current climate when businesses are more at risk due to rising costs.

Companies like The Insurance Emporium offer policies tailored to UK weddings of all shapes and sizes, covering cancellation, curtailment and rearrangement of the wedding or reception, as well as supplier financial failure (any irrecoverable deposits), your wedding attire, wedding rings, flowers and cake should they become lost, stolen or accidentally damaged, and more. Tie the knot knowing you’re covered.

Good things happen in The Insurance Emporium.

Learn more about wedding insurance options at The Insurance Emporium or call their friendly team on 03300 241 781.

The Insurance Emporium offers a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording for information on policy exclusions and limitations. Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium ® is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no: 202748.