Planning a wedding is a big undertaking. This is most likely the biggest even you will ever host and you will want everything to be just perfect! This expectation of perfection, however, can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. One of the best ways to reduce some of that stress is to delegate some of the wedding planning tasks.
Burden and Control
There are two likely reasons that brides will choose not to hand off wedding responsibilities to other people. The first reason is that they do not want to feel like they are bothering friends or family members or putting the burden on someone else. The other likely reason is that the bride does not want to feel like she is not in control of things. Some brides may experience both of these issues simultaneously. These reasons not to delegate are understandable but usually can usually be overcome.
Make a List
The first thing that you can do to help give up some of the control in your wedding planning is to make a list of tasks that need to be completed. This alone could be a huge task! However, it will help you to see that everything that needs to be done is just too much for one person. It may help to organize tasks into categories such as parts of the event (rehearsal, ceremony, reception, etc.). Then, you can decide which tasks feel too important to hand off to someone else. For example, maybe the music details arranged with the DJ or band are just too important to give to your future mother in law to take care of. This is understandable. There are tons of other things that can be completing by others with a bit of time or a phone call. As you go through your list, write names or color code tasks that can be handled by someone other than you. If you prefer to use technology, there are apps available to help you do your planning.
Utilize the Gifts of Others
Since you are most likely not a master of all skills, make sure that you are making good use of those in your wedding party that have specialized skills. Maybe your sister is excellent at calligraphy, or your best friend has an eye for decorating. As you work on your list, keep these talents in mind. If you hate haggling prices, have your silver tongued cousin work out details with the rental company.
Make it a Party!
If you still want to retain some control but know that there is a lot to get done, consider throwing a little pre-wedding DIY party. Gather your best friends and wedding party, put on some music, serve some snacks and beverages, and put everyone to work. This is a great time to make table decorations, create place cards, finish favors, or whatever else needs to be completed in mass amounts. This a fun way to let off some stress and check off some of the projects on your list. And best of all, you can still supervise!
Give Guidance
If time is running out and you do decide to delegate projects, make sure that you give proper instructions for your project. According to Inspired Events, “If possible, find a picture or make an example so that your expectations are clear. It will not help your situation if you and your helper are not on the same page and you end up redoing something that was given a lot of time and attention. Your friends and family want you to be happy on your big day so help them, help you.“
Your wedding day will be busy but beautiful. Feeling confident about how the event will go is important to any bride to be. Use the talents of friends and family and if that isn’t enough, consider hiring a wedding planner. Following these tips will help make your wedding a stunning success.
