10 Effective Ways to Destress While Planning Your Wedding

Wedding planning is an exciting time, but it can also feel overwhelming. From choosing the perfect venue and finalising the guest list, to juggling family dynamics and opinions, it’s easy to become stressed. That’s why I’ve pulled a list of simple and effective ways to help you unwind and enjoy the process. Whether you’re based in Wales or anywhere in the UK, these tips will help you stay relaxed as you prepare for your big day.

Here are 10 ways to destress while planning your wedding.

1. Take regular breaks from wedding planning

It’s easy to become consumed by your wedding checklist, but taking regular breaks is vital for keeping stress levels down. Set aside time each week to step away from all things wedding-related, whether it’s a weekend off or just an evening to unwind. Regular breaks will help refresh your mind and give you renewed energy to tackle the next set of plans.

Break ideas:

• Go for a walk

• Meet up with friends

• Indulge in a hobby that makes you happy

• Go for a dinner date with your partner

• Read or cook – something that uses your brain but keeps you focused on something other than planning

• Book a weekend break away – maybe somewhere with no phone signal!

2. Delegate tasks

You don’t have to do everything alone! Delegate tasks to your partner, bridal party, or trusted family members. This takes some pressure off your shoulders and allows you to focus on the parts of planning that you enjoy the most.

When someone helps another person, that someone feels good for helping, so not only will it benefit you and give you back some much needed and deserved downtime, it’ll help your loved ones feel good too.

Delegation ideas:

• Create a shared document or spreadsheet so that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and progress

• Even small tasks like addressing invitations or organising RSVPs can easily be shared out

• Host a wedding favour party to get your favours sorted quicker

• Ask for help from friends and family with the venue decoration

• Stag/hen/sten organisation

3. Practice mindfulness and meditation

You might roll your eyes at this one, but mindfulness and meditation are proven techniques to help reduce anxiety and stress. Set aside just 10 minutes a day to focus on deep breathing or mindfulness exercises. One of my favourite meditation exercises is to close my eyes, draw attention to my breath, and breathe in slowly while counting to 5, pause, and exhale slowly counting to 5 – repeat.

Mindfulness ideas:

• Apps like Headspace or Calm are great tools to guide you through short meditation sessions

• YouTube also has some great free videos for guided meditations

• Meditation apps like Better Sleep are also great for helping your brain switch off at night

• Something as simple as focusing on the task at hand, and only thinking about the task can help to ground you. Cooking? Focus on the smells, the tastes, the textures etc. Washing up? Focus on the warmth, the sound of the water and bubbles, the task of removing stains etc.

4. Stay organised with a wedding planner or app

Staying organised can significantly reduce stress. That’s why writing things down when your brain feels full helps you to feel instantly better. Many wedding planning apps available in the UK, such as Bridebook or Hitched, help couples manage tasks, keep track of budgets, and organise vendor contacts all in one place. Or if you’re a bit of a nerd like me, a Google Spreadsheet or a free version of Notion is also helpful.

Organisation ideas:

• Using an app ensures nothing slips through the cracks, giving you peace of mind as you check off items from your list

• Keeping everything organised also makes it easier to delegate tasks when needed

• If you keep things digital, you can share the list with those you’ve enlisted to help you

• Keep a notebook next to your bed so that when you remember something or have an idea, you can write it down and prevent a restless night’s sleep

• Give yourself deadlines, but remain flexible. Deadlines help to keep you on track and stops you rushing to get everything done towards the big day

5. Exercise regularly

Exercise is one of the best ways to blow off steam and reduce stress. Whether you enjoy a yoga class, a brisk walk through the Welsh countryside, or an intense gym workout, moving your body releases endorphins, helping you feel more energised and positive.

Exercise ideas:

• Set aside time for a regular workout — even a 20-minute walk can do wonders for your mood, helping you reset and approach wedding planning with a clearer mind

• Arrange to workout with your partner so you’re both feeling your best on the big day

• If working out together isn’t your thing, rope in your bridal party for a walk or gym session, where you can discuss plans and anything you need their help with

• When you’re stuck for time and are craving getting out of the house, a short walk around the block or neighbourhood while practicing mindfulness can help you to reset

6. Talk about your concerns

Don’t bottle up your stress! Talk openly with your partner, friends, or family about any concerns or worries. Sometimes, simply expressing your feelings out loud can help you feel lighter and less burdened.

Talking ideas:

• Regular check-ins with your partner are essential. Wedding planning is a team effort, and sharing the emotional load will make the process more enjoyable for both of you.

• If you or your partner struggle to open up, try taking a walk together or a drive. Not looking at the person you’re talking to makes it easier, and removes any distractions.

• If you’re really feeling like you need a bit more support, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a licensed counsellor. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about if you’ve never been before and are thinking of trying it. Therapy is something I personally have on a monthly basis just to keep my mental health in check, and have more regular sessions if I’m facing a particularly difficult time. I can’t recommend it enough.

7. Book a relaxing day for yourself

Treat yourself to a day of relaxation. Whether it’s a spa day, a manicure, or just a long bath at home, make time to pamper yourself. Self-care isn’t selfish, especially when you’re juggling a big event like a wedding.

Relaxation ideas:

• If a spa day is out of budget, create your own at home! Run a bath, light candles, and put on your favourite relaxing playlist. Just a few hours of pampering can help you reset.

• Tense and tight muscles from stress? Ask your partner to take the day off with you, have a joint home spa day, complete with full body massage!

• Relaxing and soothing music can help to calm your mind and your body. Give it a go.

8. Keep perspective

It’s easy to get bogged down in the details, but remember what’s most important — you’re marrying the person you love! Everything else is secondary. Keep perspective by regularly reminding yourself why you’re planning this special day.

Perspective ideas:

• Write down the things you’re most excited about for the wedding day — seeing your partner, celebrating with loved ones, and the memories you’ll create. Keep this list somewhere visible for when planning stress creeps up.

• Details are important, of course they are – but if something’s not working out and you’re worried about it, ask yourself if anyone other than you or your partner will really notice. The probably won’t!

• Thinking of worst case scenarios may help you to feel prepared, but the likelihood of your worries coming true is very small. Remember that when you start to catastrophise or ruminate.

9. Stick to a Budget

Money is one of the biggest sources of stress when planning a wedding. To avoid financial worries, create a realistic budget and stick to it. Staying on top of your finances will prevent money-related stress from taking over. Knowing that you’re staying within your means will help you feel more in control.

Bugeting tips:

• Allocate a buffer in your budget for any unexpected costs that may arise.

• Doing some research and using something like Bridebook’s Ultimate Wedding Budget Breakdown can help you with setting a realistic budget.

• Don’t waiver – if you’ve budgeted a set amount for the venue, dress etc, don’t go over it unless you know you can afford it or can make allowances elsewhere.

10. Focus on the fun parts

Remember to enjoy the fun aspects of wedding planning, such as cake tasting, dress shopping, booking your honeymoon or picking out your flowers. Make sure to balance the more serious tasks with these joyful moments.

Fun tips:

• Celebrate small milestones — when you book the venue, choose your photographer, or finalise the guest list, take a moment to enjoy the achievement.

• Find ways to bring more fun into the more serious tasks if it’s appropriate.

• Turn it into a game – who can get their next 3 tasks done quickest? Loser pays for the next dinner date!

Final thoughts

Wedding planning doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By staying organised, taking breaks, and remembering to focus on the joyful moments, you can enjoy the journey leading up to your big day. If you ever feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that this is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of love, everything will fall into place, and you can lean on your loved ones and resources for help whenever you need it.