Have you just started your wedding planning and you’re already feeling like giving up? Weddings are stressful and they’re likely going to throw numerous challenges your way. The wide range of options for various services, such as venue and catering, can put you into a huge dilemma. No matter how organised you are, wedding planning challenges can definitely cause stress and torment.
Finding a balance between making tough decisions at every step and letting it flow organically can be very difficult. A professional wedding planner can help you with wedding planning problems and shake off those worries and stresses. Here is some industry advice to help you preserve your sanity.
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Most Common Stresses and Challenges Facing Brides
There are many wedding planning problems than can emerge in the months and weeks before your wedding, such as uncooperative bridesmaids or not finding the perfect venue that will meet your wedding day expectations. Wedding planning challenges generally fall under the following categories:
- Not reaching consensus with future spouse, family, or guests
It can be the choice of venue or the seating. Or the lighting. Or the menu. Or the date. The list of possible conflict areas is endless.
No matter how much you try to please everyone, there will always be at least one person who is not 100% happy about a certain arrangement.
The key here is compromise. Prioritise and stick to your guns only on those wedding planning aspects that are really, truly important for you. Your family members should be willing to compromise as well. After all, it’s your wedding day, not theirs!
- Having issues with vendors
Research vendors thoroughly before closing the deal with them. Minor problems can appear all the time, but a reliable vendor will always go that extra mile to ensure your complete satisfaction.
- Unexpected events on the wedding day
Whether it is a rainy day or a broken zipper on your dress, you should always have an emergency kit and plan in place.
Specific Destination Wedding Challenges
Destination weddings make matters simpler in certain respects but come with their very own set of challenges at the same time. A destination wedding will enable you to take a break from everyday life, but may also make you worry about:
- Currency and Exchange rates
If you are leaving Australia to tie the knot, be careful about fluctuating exchange rates, as they can increase or decrease the funds you have set aside for your wedding.
- Language Barriers
Marrying abroad means you will need to find a translator to assist with bookings or a wedding planner that speaks English.
- Cultural Differences
An abroad wedding planner will let you know what vendors expect so you can budget appropriately.
- Legal Aspects
In order to make your marriage official on paper, you may need to meet certain criteria, such as staying there for a few weeks to pick up your certificate.
- Planning from a Distance
If you are not remotely close to your wedding venue, you absolutely need a trusted destination wedding planning expert to handle all kinds of wedding planning problems for you.
How to Handle these Challenges
First of all, find a reliable wedding planner who can do all the hard work for you. Wedding planning nowadays is a complex process and takes months if not years. Why should you consume large amounts of your personal time and learn the complexities of wedding planning when you can leave it to the professionals?
Secondly, get surrounded by positive people who make you feel at ease and don’t try to impose their opinions on your wedding planning. It’s your day, so don’t hesitate to ask for the wedding of your dreams. Don’t let anyone overstep by doing more than simply offering considerate and relevant advice.
Last, but not the least, take a deep breath. Enjoy your wedding planning and leave stress out of the equation.
The Importance of Having Back Up Plans
A lot of stress can be caused by ongoing wedding planning challenges, but having an emergency right on the big day can be, or even just seem, ten times worse. Here are the main things that can go wrong and their fixes:
- Vendors Not Showing Up
A vendor that is nowhere to be found is the ultimate nightmare. In this case, it is important to have a good wedding support team. Ask your venue manager or wedding planner if they can find a quick replacement from a predefined list of back-ups.
- Bad Weather
Pick a venue that can move the entire event inside within minutes and accept the fact that weather is out of your control. Try to look at the upside of rain, such as it being a symbol of fertility, making the atmosphere cooler and contributing to great photos!
- Dress Malfunctions
Prepare a gown emergency kit that can be used to fix accidents such as a stain, a rip in the dress, or a loose button.
How to Keep Calm and Carry On
Some people are more naturally laid back than others and will stay relaxed and level-headed, even in the middle of a disaster. Here are our top tips to remain the calm and collected bride on your wedding day:
- Have a Task List
Keeping your entire wedding plan organised on paper or in a dedicated app will take a lot of the stress out of your destination wedding planning. You will never misplace those vendor quotes or guest details again!
- Take Free Days
Choose one day of the week when wedding planning activities are prohibited. Avoid the inevitable burnout caused by excessive wedding planning stress by taking time to clear your head and relax.
- Delegate
The more complex a project, the more likely you will need help from others. Stop trying to be hands-on with everything and enlist those awesome friends and family you can trust to help you!
- Keep Certain Plans Between yourself and a Couple of Trusted Others
Don’t talk about your wedding planning problems with too many people. Too many opinions can equal additional stress. Some people have a gift of making others uncomfortable when it comes to the simplest things such as choosing between floral arrangements.
- Focus on your Future Spouse
Don’t take love out of the wedding planning. Otherwise, the reason why you are doing all this can disappear. Schedule regular date nights where you don’t talk about planning – dance lessons don’t count!
- Keep those Endorphins Flowing Through your Body
Being overly stressed is sure to turn you into a scary bridezilla.
But do you know what makes people happy? Exercising.
Remember to make time to hit the gym or have at least a weekly run with your best friends. This way your body will produce feel-good endorphins that will keep you fit, focused and calm, all at the same time. Not to mention you’ll be looking in great shape for your big day!
How to Handle Challenges on the Day and Overcome Them
The last challenge is your wedding day morning. Your last hours as a bride-to-be can be calm and relaxed if you follow these tips and tricks:
- Go to Bed Early
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep in order to have plenty of energy on your wedding day. Have fresh sheets, try a mindfulness exercise, and avoid alcohol.
- Prepare your Dress and Accessories
Have your dress handing up, including lingerie and accessories. Leave your essentials ready to go too.
- Make Time for a Relaxation Practice
Meditation, mindfulness, praying, yoga, exercising – all these can help if you have a tendency to feel anxious.
- Eat Well and Stay Hydrated
A hearty breakfast and plenty of water will keep you calm and ready to face any challenge on the big day. Avoid greasy foods or trying new ingredients.
- Invest in Some Luxe Bridal Pyjamas/Night Gown
A nice outfit made of silk or delicate cotton can instantly provide you with a good mood. Nobody wants to have their wedding morning photos showing them in their worn-out pyjamas!
The Importance of Having a Great Wedding Planner
A destination wedding planning expert will make the entire process simpler and more cost-effective. Especially when you are getting married away from home, you need a trusted provider who will handle all kinds of wedding planning problems for you. Destination wedding venues usually provide their own planner who is knowledgeable about local vendors and is trained to communicate efficiently and effectively from a distance.
Wedding Planning from Villa Botanica
Villa Botanica, the luxury wedding boutique in the Whitsundays, makes sure your wedding planning challenges will not be a cloud on your big day’s bright sky! We provide your own dedicated wedding planner who takes you through what to expect and the whole planning process. We create more than one hundred unique, stress-free weddings a year, and the journey starts with you making the first inquiry, contact Villa Botanica today!
