There are a million reasons why planning a wedding is stressful. Even if you don't happen to be getting married in 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, keeping track of all the moving pieces when you're planning your wedding is enough to turn your hair gray. When you're feeling overwhelmed, use these strategies to deal with wedding planning stress and anxiety. 

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Too many couples end up getting bogged down in the minute details of wedding planning. Which cake topper is best? What font should go on the invitations? Do the groomsmen's boutonnières match the overall color scheme? At the end of the day, these are the kinds of details that will be forgotten the moment the ceremony is over, and nit-picking will only make the process harder. Try to make these small decisions as quickly as possible, and then don't let them overwhelm you.

Have a Contingency Plan

Nobody wants to abandon their dream wedding in favor of a backup plan, but sometimes things happen that are out of control. Freak thunderstorms can threaten your backyard wedding. COVID lockdowns can prevent large groups from gathering to celebrate your special occasion. No matter what your "perfect" wedding looks like, make sure you have a Plan B, just in case. 

Set a Clear Timeline

A major source of wedding anxiety comes from the sheer volume of tasks that lie ahead, and the difficulty of keeping everything organized. You can make things much easier for yourself right out of the gate by laying out a definitive wedding-planning timeline. Decide what needs to be done, create a timeline of actionable steps, and set clear deadlines to accomplish each goal.

Delegate 

Hiring a wedding planner is a great way to offload some stress, but even if you're planning your own wedding, you don't really have to do everything yourself. Delegating some responsibilities to trusted friends and family members will make planning your wedding easier, and also create a sense of togetherness that will help everybody feel more invested in your big day.

Prioritize Self-Care

The stress of planning a wedding can take a toll on your mental, emotional and even your physical health. It's not uncommon to experience real, physical symptoms like loss of appetite, headaches and fatigue as a result of stress. Make sure you're really taking care of yourself. Get enough sleep. Stay hydrated. Eat healthy food (and maybe the occasional junk food indulgence). Set aside time to go on date nights with your future spouse and enjoy each other's company. 

Set Boundaries

It can often feel like everyone has an opinion on how your wedding day should go. Well-intentioned as these opinions may be, all the unsolicited advice of your friends and family can end up being more overwhelming than helpful. It's usually best to set some boundaries by letting folks know—kindly but firmly—that unless you actually ask for help, you've got it covered. 

Take a Step Back

When things start to feel overwhelming, just walk away. Take a break from wedding planning for an hour, or a day, or a long weekend. Instead of pushing yourself to the brink, go for a walk or a run. Do some yoga. Meditate. Listen to records. Watch Netflix. Do whatever will help you both to relax, and then come back to wedding planning fresh when you're ready. 

Avoid Comparisons

Comparison is the thief of joy, as the old saying goes. That's very true when it comes to wedding planning. Remember that your wedding is your wedding; it isn't anyone else's. While seeking inspiration from Pinterest boards and bridal magazines is all well and good, be careful not to fall prey to comparison-itis. Your wedding doesn't have to stack up against anything—not your best friend's wedding from last year, not some couple's wedding you saw on Instagram, and not something you read about in a magazine. 

Remember Your “Why”

When the anxieties start to pile up, brush everything aside and remember why you're doing this. The ultimate endgame is that you and your fiancé(e) are devoting your lives to one another. That's the goal. That's the reason. If you can keep your eye on that all-important detail, all the other considerations will fall into place much more easily. 

Even though wedding planning can be stressful, picking out the right wedding rings doesn’t have to be. Take our ring style quiz and get started designing the perfect wedding rings for you and your fiancé(e). If you have any design questions, our live chat team is more than happy to help!