How to Plan a Wedding Without Letting It Take Over Your Day Job

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Kristen Farrell10
Updated: 2/6/2020
Remember when you were a girl and you fantasized about when all your wedding dreams came true? Remember when you imagined how you would spend every second planning every detail, from the moment you woke up to the moment you went on your exotic honeymoon?
Remember when you got a full-time job? Right.
You can’t quit your job to plan one day, but you can plan a wedding while working full-time. You have some long days ahead, but when there’s a will, there’s a way.
Here are 6 tips on how to plan your wedding like a Fairygodboss!
#1: Set a Realistic Date
The countdown clock begins the second you set a date. The Knot says the average engagement is 14.5 months. However, the time you’ll need depends on many factors, like where you are in your life, the type of wedding, venue availability, and cost.
It’s important to evaluate your personal agenda before you set a date. Do you or your partner have a prearranged work trip? Are you up for a promotion or working toward another goal? Do you have vacation time to go on a honeymoon? For that matter, do you have enough money to pay for a honeymoon? Consider how much time you’ll need to manage these dynamics.
#2: Make a Bullet Journal
Wedding planning requires a lot of note taking and inspiration. Bullet journaling is the organizational phenomenon that is your solution to both. If you’re not familiar with this journaling craze, watch this video and then go on Pinterest to get ideas. Weddingbells.com explains how you can create one to meet planning milestones and relieve stress through “therapeutic doodling.”
#3: Share the Wedding Workload
Even though you’ve been dreaming about your wedding since before you met your fiancé it’s not just your day. Delegating tasks to your husband-to-be will get him more excited about different elements of the event (even the flowers!), and will make it easier for you to find a balance between wedding planning and your job.
#4: Maximize Your Breaks
Utilize your lunch break to schedule and follow up with vendors. Your company may have a policy about using their computer for personal activity, so familiarize yourself with that first. At a minimum, you can use breaks to call vendors and to ask your boss and colleagues for recommendations.
#5: Schedule Appointments Off-Hours
The easiest times to meet with vendors are the evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. You don’t want to rush finding the perfect venue, dress, DJ and florist. Also, if you want your fiancé, parents, bridesmaids or friends to join, it’s easier to find time when everyone can meet after work or during the weekend.
#6: Limit DIY
Do-It-Yourself is great way to save money and personalize favors and décor. However, there’s only so much you can do when you work 40+ hours each week. Choose a select number of tasks to DIY and then leave the rest to the professionals whose full-time jobs are to make your wedding awesome.
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Kristen Farrell is a professional communicator who previously worked in human resources. She shares career lessons and everyday experiences on her blog: kristen-farrell.com. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her running, crafting, or spending time with her husband, Jonathan and cat, Trotsky.

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