5 Tips to Keep Your Planning Calm, Clear, and On Track

Wedding planning doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job (even though it sometimes tries to).

Here are five pieces of wedding wisdom I’ve learned over helping hundreds of couples — the kind of tips that can save you time, money, and sanity.

1. Your guest list affects everything.

More guests means more tables, more meals, more rentals, more everything. Decide your headcount early. It’s the single biggest factor in your budget and will make every other decision easier. (There are pro tips to lower your cost per guest, but this is a secret unless you book with me.)

2. Pinterest is inspiration, not obligation.

Those gorgeous boards? Fun to scroll. Overwhelming to execute. Choose three to five “must-have” ideas you love, then let the rest go. Your wedding will still be beautiful, and it will feel more you.

3. Build in breathing room.

A little buffer time between major moments on your day keeps everything running more smoothly. It gives you space to savor the moments instead of rushing from one to the next.

4. Hire well, then trust them.

Choose vendors whose work you love and whose communication feels easy. Once they’re on board with your vision, give them the freedom to do what they do best. You’ll get better results and less stress.

5. Talk through family dynamics early.

From seating to photos, family dynamics can shape your day in big ways. A quick, honest conversation with your wedding team now can prevent last-minute surprises later.

Wedding planning will always have moving parts. But with a little strategy and the right mindset, it can be calmer, clearer, and even fun.

Bonus tip #6- Don’t book your venue first. Don’t do it. You will not get what you want without a lot of added stress and budget.

If you want more tips like these, I share them in [More Wedding Wisdom →]. Think of it as your shortcut to a smoother wedding day (and a much less stressful engagement).