Is anyone stressed and how are we dealing?

Just remember that it's you and your s.o's wedding and you're not going to make everyone happy 100% of the time. Don't be afraid to ask for help whether it's from family or friends or even here on weddingwire! If you remotely start to feel stressed and/or overwhelmed, just take a step back. One step at a time, one breath at a time. I hope that helps and I wish you well.

Happy Planning!

View Quoted Comment Thank you, Jasmine!❤

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Absolutely!

Hello ! It is stressful, nobody can deny... just try to have fun, ask for help - but only positive people ;-), have quality time with your FH, try to relax from time to time (a bath, a walk, some relaxing music...).

I limit wedding planning to one evening a week, this keeps me sane (and not just me, FH appreciates it greatly ). Also, be organised, this helps me feel more in control. I've got an Excel budget where I control the costs and compare offers, a loooong to do list on my phone (it's great to be able to see these "dones" turn grey, let's you see the progress you're making). I started with a to-do list on paper, but then I kept editing, adding to it or removing and I got too frustrating. With a digital list, I can share it with FH, so he can add his ideas (and see how much is actually to be done, men tend to underestimate the amount of work that goes into a wedding) and I can add and edit on the go, whenever an idea strikes me. I've also got another excel with the guest list, where I keep track of the responses, if they need rooms, anything. So yeah, being organised basically helps me feeling less stressed.

Probably not very nice, but I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks I should do for my wedding lol. I thank them for their opinions, and keep right on with my vision. If they don't want to come, I understand. But yes, set a budget and stick to it.. the best way to alleviate stress. I know, with me, once I had my main vendors booked, the stress kind of left me, because I knew the rest can happen any time and if something small gets dropped, I'll still be married at the end of the day.

Like Samantha, I am not pleasing anyone but my FH and I. We take our parents into consideration for certain things, like we want to do an anniversary dance at the end of our first dance, but his parents separated and are now back together and we're worried his mom will be upset they can't participate, so we might not do it though we'd like to. For other stuff, I've been showing the moms after we've made hard decisions because I don't care to have them try and change my mind. It's your wedding day so it should be how you want it.

Budgeting wasn't too hard for us, but we originally agreed around 30K for 150 people and it's looking now like we might be closer to 35K. Once I got the big vendors out of the way it was easier to figure out what we had left for everything else and what I would prefer to spend more on vs where we can cut costs. My stress levels also went way down once I got those done, because once they were everything else is more a want instead of a need.

I've been doing most of the planning myself because that's just how I am. I haven't completely freaked out a ton, but when I do I voice my concerns to my fiancé and he normally reminds me that what I'm worried about isn't even a big deal, nor do we have to have it figured out immediately. I have a spreadsheet with all sorts of info and I use the WeddingWire timeline and The Knot one because they tell you to do things at different times so I've been combining them and doing stuff when it's easiest for me.

I am already married and my advice would be to limit who you share ideas/information with aside from information they need to know like where to be and when. Otherwise, you don't really need to share a lot with others unless you want to, but I would caution you against oversharing because that's what you get unwanted opinions.

Don't worry about what anyone else is saying, and just have the wedding you want. If they choose to get upset or say anything about your choices, let them know that it is your and your FH day, not theirs, and if they would like to have negative reactions to things, they do not need to share them with you. You and your FH have no obligation to anyone, this is the day you two are committing to each other, and celebrating for yourselves. No one else's opinion should sway you from your dreams and wants!

Rylie,
Stress is normal when planning a wedding. It is definitely not easy because there is just so much that goes into it. Therefore, it can get overwhelming. Here is what I advise:
-Make sure to follow the timeline of when to get things done by following the Wedding Wire time frames (helps to keep you on track at a time of what you should get done).

-Do not overshare your ideas with everyone (make it a surprise because they will for sure nit pick at your choices which is annoying lol).
-Make sure to always communicate (whether it be with your FH, bridesmaids, mothers, vendors, etc. Do not assume and make sure everyone is always on the same page).
-Set a budget and stick to it (create a spreadsheet or download a free one online).
-Remember that it is YOU and YOUR SO's day. Everyone else is a guest who is celebrating you TWO. Unless they are helping to PAY then they don't have a SAY!