Wedding planning tips for a stress-free wedding

Wedding planning

4 May

As both a wedding photographer and someone who got married a few years ago, I know firsthand how exciting yet stressful wedding planning can be - but it doesn’t need to be. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible, laid-back couples and talented wedding suppliers, and I’ve picked up a few helpful insights along the way—as well as some things to avoid. To ensure you fully enjoy your day I’ve put together some tips that I think you’ll find helpful, let me know if any of these help you:

Set a budget

It’s easy to get carried away on your wedding day, but set a budget early and try and stick to it. Creating a spreadsheet can help you prioritise things in order of importance, it might be starting with the venue and working through things one by one. Then you may be able to look further down the list and ask yourself do we need that? Could we spend more here by not having that.

Do it your way

Bring your unique vibe and energy to your wedding, and your guests are sure to have an amazing time celebrating with you. Make the day your own—don’t feel pressured to stick to traditions if they don’t resonate with you. Want to get ready together in the morning? Go for it! This is your day, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate it. Enjoy the planning process, and focus on creating moments that will bring you joy.

The wedding speeches

If you're nervous about giving a speech at your wedding, know you're not alone. Standing up and talking in front of an audience can be daunting. Still, I highly recommend having the speeches on your special day. It's not often that all your loved ones are gathered in one place, so take advantage of the opportunity to express gratitude to those who have supported you. Plus, heartfelt speeches can create compelling and emotional photos you'll cherish forever.

Making time on your wedding day

It’s so important to take time to enjoy the special moments of your day. Move from one part of the celebration to the next at your own pace—think about your timeline, stay flexible, and avoid feeling rushed. After the ceremony, give your guests time to mingle and connect with each other—these moments are precious and worth savouring.

If you’re planning to have couple’s photos, keep in mind that this will take you away from your guests for a little while, often during the drinks reception before dinner. Make sure to allocate enough time for this, (for me it’s usually between 10-15 minutes), as things can easily run over after the ceremony, especially if you’ll be travelling to a different venue for the reception and the meal will usually need to be served on time.

Take a few minutes to be together

On your special day when everyone will want to spend time with you, it's important to take a few moments away to enjoy each other's company. This is also an excellent opportunity to capture some relaxed photos of the two of you together. Whether it's a quiet moment in a garden or a stroll along the beach, these photos are going to make cherished memories for years to come.

Don’t sweat the small stuff on your wedding day

Remember, on your wedding day, the important thing is celebrating your coming together, not about everything being perfect. Don't stress too much about every little detail being flawless. Instead, focus on enjoying the moment and cherishing the memories you are creating together. Trust that everything will work out fine, and allow yourself to fully embrace the day.