Weddings are stressful, but they are not the only ones! Not-so-fun fact, elopements also come with some stress! AND micro weddings! While we specialize in small, adventurous weddings where you are going to kick start your marriage in an epic way, we get that there will inevitably be some stress, no matter how you slice that cake. Here’s how you deal with wedding stress!

Tackle the stressors most couples have in the marriage BEFORE you get married and you will be in for a long, beautiful, ever lasting marriage. We found that The 5 Biggest Stressors in Marriage ACTUALLY come up during wedding planning. Is it normal to be stressed about a wedding? Absolutely, but you can deal with wedding stress first with good communication.

Deal with Wedding Stress by Communicating

Put a regular date night on the calendar. Remember why you are doing this! It’s you and your love. When you start feeling overwhelmed, go back to your partner. Talk through it. Share together. I had a couple that prioritized a wedding meeting dinner once a week. You can spread this out or make it a coffee date, but having a designated time and knowing you have support is HUGE!

Different Expectations

Are you and your partner on the same page? You might be thinking, “duh Kelsey, we’ve talked about it.” But have you? Have you actually said out loud your expectations of your wedding day? Or do you know your partner so well that you are just assuming that you are on the same page? I can’t tell you how much it helps to say the things out loud, just to be sure!

This is why I ask BOTH people in the relationship to be on the planning calls. Sometimes ideas come up and one partner’s response surprises the other one! This is totally normal. Also, people grow and evolve and sometimes things change. If a partner talked about how much they liked waterfalls as a kid, maybe they actually want to be married in a beautiful open field. With sheep! Deal with wedding stress by making sure you are on the same page with your partner first. No one else matters TBH.

Deal with wedding stress by keeping the spice

TMI but intimacy is important! If it wasn’t, you probably would have married that really nice person from high school whose tongue felt entirely too big in your mouth. Stress can cause a lack of intimacy which can seep into other areas. Plus, it’s fun right? And wedding planning should be fun!

Stick to a budget

This can be super fucking hard! Financial issues are one of the biggest struggles couples face in a marriage, so talk about the budget and be realistic when something isn’t working. You don’t need to compromise everything, but you may need to compromise some things. Do you really need the fire juggler? If the answer is YES! Then fucking go for it, but maybe do your own makeup. OR maybe the answer is yes but you only need them for 1 hour instead of 4. Sticking to a budget now, will help you deal with wedding stress and set you up for a financially successful future!

Deal with Wedding Stress caused by family

Ahhhh families. They may unintentionally be the most stressful part about wedding planning. ESPECIALLY if you are choosing an elopement or micro wedding. We are mid into the 2020s with the Kardashians having multiple marriages and yet, your one elopement is under scrutiny? Not here, friend. We are here to help! Check out our tips on How to Tell Your Family You’re Eloping.

Break Down the To Do List

It can be hard to deal with wedding stress when you feel like there are ten thousand things on your to do list! Instead of running yourself into the ground, make the process more manageable. Brides share their tips of designating one day of the week to getting organized, or maybe, working for an hour at the end of the day is more feasible. Breaking up the operation into bite-sized pieces will make you feel less overwhelmed. Plus, giving your brain a rest will actually increase productivity. Making a list is our sure fire way for how to beat wedding stress.

Taking Something Off Your Plate will help Deal with Wedding Stress

How to cope with wedding anxiety? ASK FOR HELP!!!! Yes, this is your wedding, but everyone around you is so excited for you! They would love to help! Yes, even with elopements. It is actually a way for people who love you to get involved and feel like they are part of your day even if they aren’t there. Someone can put together a playlist, pick up the flowers, or order a cake. Write down all of the different things you need to do for your wedding and really decide if it is something that requires YOU or if you can reach out for help. 

How to Elope with Friends and Family – creative ideas!

Hire a Photographer who has Planning Experience

For elopements and micro weddings, a designated wedding planner may not be necessary. There are less things to organize, usually a more laxed timeline, and often no venue to coordinate with. BUT you need to have a photographer who has taken on both roles before. The last thing you want is having someone inexperienced trying to pull permits for your sunrise hike at Glacier National Park and have them get the wrong ones. Especially at National Parks, things change alllll the time. Roads close down for reconstruction. Policies around events change. You need someone who knows their shiiiiiit. And if you are having a full blown wedding, check out our sister company Wild Montana Wedding Planner. Say goodbye to wedding planning stress AND a cookie-cutter wedding. A Wild Montana Wedding is like a churro, an unexpected but very well received event.

Take a Break from that Wedding Planning Crunch

Stop. If you are not enjoying the planning, stop. Come back to it later. Our best ideas and work are done when we are filled with JOY doing something. Wedding planning can be fun! So if it’s making you all squeamish and anxiety ridden, stop. Come back to it later. Phone a friend and vent it out. But it’s okay to stop and take a break.

Remember the Day will Come and You’ll Never Have to Plan it Again

Perspective is everything! If you decide wedding planning is not your thing, fine! It’s not your thing. Totally good. You will do it ONE time, and then all the pre wedding stress will be over! Then it will be you and your partner sailing off into the sunset (call me, we can make that actually happen) and you will never deal with wedding stress again! Enjoy what you can, get through what you have to, and always kiss your partner goodnight. After all, that’s what all this is about, right? 

If you are ready to put an end to the planning madness and work with a location matchmaker, timeline extraordinaire, and good time gal, contact Kelsey! I can’t wait to hear about all your wildest dreams and how we can make them come true. See ya in the sunset!