Why is wedding planning so stressful? You’re only planning one of the most momentous days of your lives. You likely have no experience and are overwhelmed by all the tasks ahead of you. All of this taken together can be a recipe for stress when it comes to wedding planning. Here are some of the other reasons why wedding planning can be so stressful:

1. Budget constraints: Weddings can be expensive, and couples may feel stressed about staying within their budget while still trying to create their dream wedding. There’s a lot of money changing hands when hiring vendors and buying all the wedding day stuff. It’s normal (and financially responsible) to be aware of what you’re spending and to make decisions based on your financial reality.

2. Time constraints: Planning a wedding can take a lot of time, and many couples feel overwhelmed trying to manage all the details and deadlines, especially if they have other life obligations. When you feel stressed or stretched too thin, remember there are people who make wedding and event planning a whole career. Give yourself a little grace knowing you’re not spending your forty-hour work week wedding planning and either (1) delegate, (2) hire a wedding planner, or (3) indulge in some self-care before prioritizing remaining planning tasks .

3. Family dynamics: Weddings often bring up family dynamics and can be stressful for couples trying to balance the expectations and opinions of their families. Everyone will have an opinion and there’s decent chance that all of your extended family is eager to hold hands and sing “Kumbaya.” Know whose input counts and ignore all the rest.

4. Making decisions: Weddings involve a lot of decision-making, from choosing vendors and venues to selecting dresses and decorations. This can be stressful for indecisive couples or those who have different tastes and preferences. If you find yourselves stuck in a downward spiral, refer to your priorities and talk to those whose opinions matter. And remind yourselves— what you’re stressing out about today likely won’t even be a blip on the radar ten years from now.

5. Performance anxiety: Many couples feel a lot of pressure to create a perfect wedding day, and the fear of making mistakes or having things go wrong can be stressful.

6. Logistics: Planning a wedding can also be stressful because of the logistics involved, such as coordinating transportation, lodging accommodations, and managing guest lists.

However, it's important to remember that while wedding planning can be stressful, it can also be a fun and exciting experience. By prioritizing what is most important to you and your partner, delegating tasks to friends and family, and taking breaks when you need them, you can help reduce the stress of wedding planning and enjoy the process.