Photo: Emily Millay Photography
From the moment you commit to the moment you walk down the aisle, we know you have a lot to do. Planning a wedding is not an easy task, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by the process.
There are certain moments in the course of your engagement that we recommend that you take a break from all this madness, so we’ve summarized them for you below.
During someone else’s wedding
You want your wedding day to be for you and your commanding officer, right? Keep this in mind when attending the weddings of friends and family during your engagement. Don’t make their day special about yourself by chatting about your own wedding plans during cocktail hour, or telling other guests how your wedding will be different. With that said, other weddings are a great place to find inspiration for yourself, so take mental notes! Just make sure it doesn’t take away the focus of the day. Give yourself this time to loosen up and have fun!
While on vacation
If you have a trip planned during your engagement, take that time to really enjoy each other instead of discussing the details of the wedding. You leave work behind when you go on vacation, so why should wedding planning be any different? Take the time to hit the refresh button on your relationship. You will have many opportunities to plan when you return.
When you or a loved one celebrates an important life event
While a wedding is undoubtedly a major life event, there are going to be many others that will happen to your friends and family members while you are engaged. From pregnancy announcements and graduations to retirements and new jobs, be sure to stop in and take the time to celebrate those milestones, too. Weddings are important but they are not the only thing worthy of celebration and attention.
When it becomes the only thing you talk about
You are likely to ask your friends and family for advice and suggestions while you are planning, and many people will be dying to know each and every detail about the big issue. Just make sure it’s not the only thing you’re talking about. The 24/7 wedding talk will probably tire you (and tire you and others). Not sure how to respond when people ask too many questions about the big day? Here are some details to keep them secret.
When you’re falling behind at work
Although a little planning during lunch won’t hurt, make sure you’re on top of your job responsibilities. If you notice that you are cutting delivery times a little closer or that your mind is constantly wandering to flower arrangements during a large gathering, take a break! Set aside time each week that you focus only on planning, so your focus on work can stay on work.
When it gets more stressful than fun
We may be biased, but we promise that wedding planning is supposed to be enjoyable. When fun activities like choosing a dress or trying a cake feel more like a burden than a blessing, take a few days off. When you do it again, you can start working in a happier frame of mind. If you need a refresher on what fun is supposed to be in the planning process, check out our list!
When you start to lose sight of why you are doing this in the first place
The most important thing to remember as you plan is the bottom line. By the time the whole process is over, you will be married to the love of your life. When you find yourself wrapped in stationary fountains and seating charts, take a step back and remember that this is all to celebrate the commitment you are making. At the end of the day, that’s what matters the most!