The busy couple's guide to effortless wedding planning
Planning a wedding is an immense task (or can be seen as a project!) and takes up a lot of time and energy, when researching, meeting wedding professionals and having to be up to date with due dates and checklists. This is especially daunting for couples who are juggling busy careers, have large circles of friends, and have personal commitments. However, when you have the right resources that align with how you both work, you can have a smooth wedding.
So here are some ideas for you to plan your wedding efficiently, with time-saving tips to make your lives easier in the lead up to your wedding day.
1. Have a sit-down communication with your partner with a clear vision.
After getting engaged, I always recommend that you sit down with your partner and discuss what you both envision for your big day. Get as detailed as possible. Topics to talk about include style, theme, location, initial budget, must-haves and guest numbers. This will help you both make decisions, prevent time-consuming back-and-forths and less arguments later down the track.
Create a shared vision board (whether it’s on Instagram, or Pinterest board) as it would be easier to visualise and agree on the key elements of your wedding. Make sure only you and your partner can view this board.
2. Set a realistic budget.
It is a good idea to decide on a budget (at least a range) towards the start of your planning journey, as it will help narrow down your choices and prevent overspending. You can also break down your budget into categories (including venue, catering, attire, etc) and allocate funds accordingly.
You can use online budget calculators to keep track of your expenses. I like Google sheets as you can both access and view the sheet together.
As you progress with your wedding planning journey, it is very normal for budgets to change as you have a clearer idea of costs provided to you by numerous wedding professionals.
3. Prioritise your tasks.
Identify the most critical tasks that require immediate attention, such as booking the venue and securing your professionals (and later, checklists and questionnaires by wedding professionals). Prioritise and tackle these tasks (from other tasks that can wait) one at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
4. Use technology.
Take advantage of technology to streamline your planning process. This includes wedding planning apps, and online tools to help organise your tasks, and communicate with your booked professionals.
5. Opt for simplified choices.
It is very easy to aimlessly research, and reach out to lots of professionals (in the same field) to get information about their services and quotes. So instead of getting bogged down in endless choices, I would shortlist your options as soon as you start researching. Decide and book trusted professionals, choose packages, and avoid getting caught up in the smaller details.
There are bridal shows that occur throughout the year that allow you to meet multiple wedding professionals in one place, and see their work firsthand (including meeting them in person!)
6. Schedule regular check-ins.
Set aside specific times each week to review your wedding plans, discuss progress, and make decisions. When you are both mentally prepared for that specific time, you are both more likely to feel hyperfocussed and be able to make better decisions and have a clearer idea, moving forward, what to do next, and hence keeping you on track.
Make sure to use shared calendars (like Google Calendar) to schedule in your regular check-ins meetings with your partner.
7. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help!
However, if you and your partner find yourselves overwhelmed and just don’t have time to plan your wedding, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help. Wedding planners like me are able to bring in expert advice and put your whole wedding together (including the small details and logistics), so that you can focus on yourself and what is around you. You would also be able to have time off and to relax!
All photos used in this blog are by Captured BTS.