As a full-time teacher who spends weekends and holidays capturing love stories as a wedding photographer—and planning my own 2024 wedding along the way—I’ve learned first-hand that juggling lesson plans, client shoots, and wedding planning is a delicate balancing act that requires strategy, patience, and a lot of coffee.
So, where do you begin? You’ve just got engaged to the love of your life, you’re working full time, and now wedding planning is on your mind. Wow — lots to think about! Here are some invaluable tips to help you juggle wedding planning alongside your busy life.
Number one. You don’t need to rush to get started straight away
Enjoy your engagement bubble and start planning when you’re truly ready. It’s tempting to dive in immediately after saying “yes,” but giving yourselves a little breathing room can make the whole process much more enjoyable.
Number two. Be realistic about your time and energy
When you’re working full time, your evenings and weekends are already precious. Wedding planning shouldn’t consume every spare moment or feel stressful. Set aside specific time slots for planning — knowing when you’ll work on wedding tasks helps reduce mental overload and keeps burnout at bay.
Number three. Share the load
When one person is making all the decisions, things can feel overwhelming very quickly. Split tasks where you can, communicate clearly, and check in with each other often. For those couples who can’t bear the thought of their partner making too many decisions (yes, even about napkins) — this is your gentle reminder to loosen the reins. Trust your person. They are, after all, the one you’re marrying… and they probably won’t choose neon green chair sashes if that isn’t your vibe!
Number four. Let go of perfection
Trying to make everything perfect is a fast track to burnout. Focus on creating a meaningful, joyful day — not a flawless one. Trust me, those genuine smiles, spontaneous laughter, and little unscripted moments show up in your photos far more than any meticulously planned detail. The more you relax and enjoy your day, the more your photographer can capture the real magic.
Number five. Prioritise what matters to you as a couple
You don’t have to do everything or please everyone. Decide which elements of your day are most important to you — whether that’s the ceremony, the music, the food, or the photography — and give those areas your energy and attention. Everything else can be simplified, streamlined, or approached in a way that makes planning easier.
A helpful way to do this is to rank your top three “happiness priorities.” Think about the moments that will bring you the most joy on the day and that you’ll look back on and remember most fondly. Once you know what those things are, it’s easier to make decisions confidently and enjoy the planning process without unnecessary stress.
Most importantly, have fun!
At the end of the day, your wedding is about celebrating your love and the start of your life together. All the planning, decisions, and obsessive Pinterest scrolling matter far less than the joy, laughter, and memories you create along the way. Take a deep breath, embrace the messy, unpredictable moments (yes, even Uncle Dave attempting the worm on the dance floor), and don’t stress if things go a little sideways. From my perspective, those perfectly imperfect moments? They make the absolute best photos. So, dance like no one’s watching — and trust me, your photographer will be capturing it all.