Wedding Planning So Easy You Can Sleep at Night (Seriously!)

Let’s be honest: planning a wedding can feel like trying to juggle fire while riding a unicycle. On a tightrope. During a windstorm. Sound dramatic? That’s because it is. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be. Wedding planning can actually be easy—yes, easy!—if you take the right steps, avoid the chaos traps, and give yourself permission to do things YOUR way.

Are you constantly thinking about your wedding to-do list instead of sleeping peacefully at night? Are you wondering if you’re forgetting something important, or stressed that you don’t even know what questions to ask? You’re not alone... and I’m here to help. I’ve worked with hundreds of couples, and I’ve created resources, templates, videos, and a network of professional planners to make this process smoother for you. Ready to breathe again? Let’s get into it.

What Kind of Wedding Planner Are You?

Let’s have a little fun. Choose the answer that best describes you!

1. When I think about wedding planning, I feel... 

A. Excited to make a spreadsheet.

B. Ready to cry in a corner.

C. Chill, I got this.

D. Who can I pay to make this go away?

2. My dream wedding is...

A. Elegant and classic.

B. Intimate and emotional.

C. Wild and unforgettable.

D. DONE.

3. My biggest planning struggle is...

A. Decision fatigue.

B. Family opinions.

C. Budget stress.

D. Literally everything.

Mostly A’s: You’re the Organized Overachiever. You need planning tools and a solid timeline. Grab my wedding templates on Etsy to keep everything straight!

Mostly B’s: You’re the Emotional Empath. Get help early and prioritize support. A consultation call with a pro (hi, I offer these!) can help you feel less alone.

Mostly C’s: You’re the Low-Key Vibe Seeker. Keep it simple and trust your gut. My free video tips on social (@lynea.daprix) are totally your style.

Mostly D’s: You’re the Burnout Bride (or Groom). Step away. Hire help. Breathe. Use my templates, watch the videos, and hand off what you can.

Let's go over a few steps that can make this easier.

Step 1: The Vibe Check (aka Before You Spend a Dime)

Before you hire a single vendor or start obsessing over eucalyptus versus olive branches, get clear on this: What do you want your wedding to feel like?

Romantic and candlelit? Casual backyard bash? A 3-day festival in the woods? Write down the three words that describe the vibe you want, then stick to them like hot glue on a DIY centerpiece.

Bonus Tip: Create a shared Pinterest board and pin only what matches your top 3 words. Everything else? Bye.

I mean this with the utmost respect - you gotta be STRICT with yourself. The wandering eye is what causes stress, don't compare. Changing up your mind a bunch of times is what causes stress, do your best to stick to your plan. Trying to bend your plan to fit other people's wants is what causes stress, stand your ground and only accommodate what is necessary.

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Step 2: Make a Budget And Stick To It

Say it with us: The budget is your BFF.

Decide early how much you want to spend, then break it into categories (venue, food, attire, photography, etc.). Be realistic, be honest, and pad each category by 5–10% for those unexpected expenses. (Yes, you’re going to forget something. That’s normal.)

Before you sign a contract with anybody, bring that estimate over to the budget and map out what you'll be able to spend on the rest of your needs. Here are some estimates for ya to calculate with:

• Venue & Food: 40–50%

• Photo & Video: 10–15%

• Planner or Coordinator: 5–10%

• Dress, Suit, Hair, Makeup: 5–7%

• Flowers & Decor: 7–10%

• Music or DJ: 5–10%

• Invitations & Signs: 2–3%

• Ceremony & Officiant: 1–2%

• Transportation: 1–3%

• Favors & Gifts: 1–2%

• Cake & Desserts: 1–2%

• Extra/Emergency: 5–10%

Pro Hack: Use a spreadsheet to track where your $ is going. Feeling organized will help you sleep better than melatonin.

Step 3: Simplify Your Guest List (Hard But Worth It)

Do you really need to invite your second cousin’s roommate from 2012? Nope.

Keep it simple. Fewer guests = fewer logistics, lower cost, and more time to spend with the people who really matter.

The Golden Rule: If you wouldn’t buy them dinner IRL this year, don’t invite them to your wedding. Check out this blog for how to build a guest list.

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Step 4: Hire a Wedding Planner (Even Just a Little Bit)

Hear me out: even if you’re Type A, spreadsheet-loving, and obsessed with control (hi, no judgment—we love you), hiring a wedding planner can save you from a thousand tiny, annoying, soul-crushing micro-stresses. You know, like chasing down missing contracts, fielding timeline questions from 17 vendors, or figuring out who’s supposed to light the candles before the ceremony.

Planners aren’t just for the rich and famous. They’re for people who want to actually enjoy their wedding day instead of managing it.

Can’t afford full planning? Consider:

• Day-Of Coordination

• Hourly Consulting (Yes, it’s a thing!) (Want a 1:1 with me? Let's chat)

Want some other planner options? Head to findyourweddingplanner.com where we connect you with talented, vetted wedding planners who match your vibe and budget.

And HONESTLY it's just nice to have a support system like a planner provides. Who else is going to understand your feelings about napkins or how hard it is to pick a photographer?!

Step 5: Pick Vendors You Like as Humans

Skill matters. But chemistry? Crucial. You’re not just hiring someone to do a job, you’re inviting them into one of the most important, emotional, and vulnerable days of your life.

You’ll be talking to these folks a lot, especially your photographer, planner, or videographer (hey that could be us... I'm down if you're down). You want people who get you. Who make you feel relaxed. Who aren’t going to ghost you, judge your ideas, or treat your wedding like just another gig.

When interviewing vendors, ask yourself:

• Do I trust them?

• Do they really listen to me?

• Do they break things down in a way I understand?

• Do I feel safe being honest with them?

• Would I grab coffee with them without wanting to fake an emergency to leave early?

If the answer is yes to most of those—book them. If your gut says “meh,” keep looking. You deserve a dream team, not a stress team.

Green Flags to look for:

• Quick, professional communication (within 24–48 hours)

• Transparent pricing and contracts

• A clear passion for their work

• Zero red flags when you Google them or read reviews

• They don’t make you feel dumb for not knowing wedding lingo

  
  

Red Flags to run from:

• Vague answers or sketchy policies

• Pressure to book immediately

• Late replies or ignored emails

• They talk over you or dismiss your vision

• Something just feels... off

And here’s the thing: wedding vendors aren’t one-size-fits-all. The best vendor for your best friend’s wedding might not be the right fit for you. That’s totally okay

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Step 6: Don’t DIY Everything (Seriously, Don’t)

You might love crafting. But you do not want to be gluing 100 favors together the night before your wedding.

DIY one or two things max. Outsource the rest to professionals or helpful friends. Your time and sanity are valuable!!

Need stuff? I’ve got you! Check out my Amazon storefront for all the wedding things - literally, it's massive, but broken up into categories so it's easy to go through.

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Step 7: Build in Breaks (a.k.a. Self-Care is Wedding Planning Too)

Ok this might actually be the most serious tip yet. TAKE. BREAKS. I mean it.

Block off wedding-free days each week where you don’t:

• Talk about the wedding

• Make wedding decisions

• Look at wedding spreadsheets

Instead, binge your favorite show, take a walk, go on a date, or do literally anything else.

Your brain needs rest to be creative and happy!

Step 8: Use Tools To Make Your Wedding Design Process Easier

Creating a cohesive wedding design is one of those high stress moments for most brides/grooms. Thankfully we are in an era of technology that can truly make this an easier process!

Check out this blog to help you with creating your perfect wedding design. I break down all the steps I would take to put the design together!

If you want to hire out for this, let's connect. I do design consultations and provide you with a visual board to show your vendors the plan.

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Step 9: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (Hint: It’s Love, Not Linen Colors)

Remember why you’re doing all this: You’re marrying your person.

Focus on joy. Laugh when something goes wrong. It's okay and it will be okay. Everyone's okay and you are okay.

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Final Takeaways....

There is no gold medal for Most Stressed-Out Engaged Couple. You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to do it perfectly.

The easiest weddings to plan are the ones that feel like you.

So keep it simple. Focus on the moments. Say yes to help. Say no to drama. And remember: the point isn’t to have a Pinterest-perfect day. It’s to have a wildly joyful celebration of your love.

Need More Help? I Got You.

• 📲 Follow me on social @lynea.daprix for hundreds of free videos packed with helpful wedding planning tips.

• 💬 Book a 1-on-1 consultation call with me when you’re stuck or just need a little sanity.

• 🛍 Browse my Amazon storefront for must-haves you didn’t know you needed.

• 📋 Grab my detailed, step-by-step wedding planning templates on Etsy to simplify your journey.

• 🌐 Or head to findyourweddingplanner.com to connect with a pro who can take it all off your plate.

And if all else fails? Just elope. (Kidding. Kind of.)

Love ya! Happy Planning!

Lynea