What? Wedding resolutions?
Planning a wedding is incredibly exciting! But it can also be overwhelming and there may be some stress thrown in the party mix too, right? You want to have the wedding of your dreams, but sometimes this comes at a cost– financially, mentally, emotionally, even physically. Have no fear! It’s time to feel EMPOWERED about your wedding planning! After all, this is your day, your relationship and it’s all about celebrating you! So in the midst of the new year revelry and making those resolutions, let’s make a pact to be kind and nurturing to ourselves. These ten resolutions are promises for you to make to yourself that will help you plan the perfect wedding without compromising yourself.
Resolutions for Financial and Mental Health
1. I resolve not to sabotage my financial health for impulse wedding decisions
The wedding industry is one of the most profitable, with the 2021 wedding industry valued at over $50 billion. The average wedding budget is around $30,000; for most of us, that’s a lot of money. When you and your partner decide on a budget, you both have to agree to stick to it, no matter how tempting it is to have live peacocks roaming your reception! Prioritize the things that matter most to you and remember that the wedding is only the beginning– you have the rest of your lives after, and being financially secure is a big part of a happy forever together.
2. I resolve to put my needs and those of my partner first
Weddings can sometimes bring out unexpected sides to the people you love. As you and your partner plan your wedding, you may find unexpected demands from other people. You will hear lots of opinions that may conflict with your own, and it can be a challenge to navigate them. When people start to get too opinionated, take a moment with your partner to remind yourself that this day is about the two of you. Keep your vision for your wedding in your mind’s eye and stick to your guns about it. What matters the most is that you two have fond memories of your wedding and no regrets later.
3. I resolve to keep things in perspective, focus on us being a team, and make our wedding day happen together
Many of us have heard horror stories of pre-wedding fights that ruin engagements. We all want to avoid that, so remembering that you and your spouse-to-be are a team is important. If you find yourselves arguing about details, take a break. Enjoy a meal or some wine and a little time to refocus. Talk about the things you love about each other, and go back over what you both want for your wedding. Ask yourself why things are important to you. Journal your thoughts. When you come back to planning, it will be much easier to reach an agreement.
New Year’s Resolutions for Getting the Wedding You Want
4. I resolve to not let friends or family pressure me or change my wedding day values
Family can become incredibly demanding, especially if you have different viewpoints on values and other major issues. Your wedding is not to please other people, but to celebrate your love for your partner. It doesn’t matter if Dad wants you to get married in a church, but you love the open meadow in the nearby state park– Dad’s opinion doesn’t take priority here. Remind yourself often that, at the end of the day, the only opinions that matter are yours and your partner’s. Anyone with hurt feelings will come around by the big day, but it can help to have the conversations well before that will help smooth things out. Be supportive, understanding and empathetic so they feel heard. While you can absolutely learn from the thoughts and opinions of others, listen to what feels right for you and keep your own feelings as the priority.
5. I resolve to limit my wedding social media intake
In the age of social media, we are constantly exposed to the details of everyone else’s lives. As fun as it is to scroll endlessly through wedding blogs, remember that you don’t need to have a trendy, Instagram-worthy wedding; you need to have the wedding that reflects you and your partner, and the love you share. If you find yourself overwhelmed by all the trends, take a break from wedding accounts; it might be a good idea to have a separate profile on your socials JUST for wedding stuff, so you can swap back to your regular profile when you need a break! Always keep in mind that the vast majority of what you see on social media (particularly wedding photos) have been altered, edited or produced for social media. Enjoy it for the entertainment it is, but always remember it’s not real life.
Wedding Resolutions to Celebrate Your Body & Spirit
6. I resolve to prioritizing self care
Weddings are stressful, there’s no avoiding that. A wedding requires a significant amount of time, money, and energy to plan, and that’s in addition to the demands of daily life. Make sure you leave time for yourself through the planning process! Take your Maid of Honor for a spa day, or plan a lunch with your bridesmaids that’s “wedding-free”– just a chance for you and your favorite people to hang out and talk. Your partner may need pampering, too; schedule a nice dinner out, or a cozy evening on the couch with favorite movies. You’ll feel so much better with your stress levels under control!
7. I resolve to not diet for my wedding day
Everyone wants to look their best for their wedding. There are entire industries meant to make people (mostly women) feel self-conscious and like they aren’t good enough. Before you fall into their traps, remember that your partner loves you for who you are, not what you look like. Take some time to reflect on favorite photos of yourself, highlighting all the things you love about your look. And make sure to spend lots of time with people that boost you up — they should have no trouble reminding you of all the things they find beautiful!
8. I resolve to make sure our clothing is comfortable!
Yes, those Louboutins are stunning! But are you going to feel good dancing in them all night? It’s perfectly acceptable for a wedding party to change it up a little between the ceremony and reception. Swap out the gorgeous heels for a lower heel that’s easier to move in, or even change from the heavy beaded gown into a fun jumpsuit to party in. You deserve the best of both worlds– to look like a princess, but also feel comfy enough to enjoy your reception to its fullest!
Wedding Resolutions that Put You in Charge
9. I resolve to trust my gut
Our intuition is one of our most powerful weapons, and we need to honor it. As you go through the process of planning, listen to your gut (and your partner’s!). Is the photographer you met giving you a bad vibe? Don’t book them for your wedding! Second thoughts about the seating chart for dinner? Nobody will know if you make some adjustments. You know what your day is supposed to feel like, and if anything isn’t working, then you owe it to yourself to change it, cancel it, or find a way to make it work.
10. I resolve to make the most of each special milestone along the way
Your wedding memories shouldn’t be constrained to just one day! The whole planning process is something special that you and your spouse will want to remember forever. Think about doing something like a wedding scrapbook, so you can document everything from the engagement to the honeymoon! You’ll enjoy looking back on these beautiful memories with your spouse for many years.
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