From Overwhelm to Joy: Finding Ease in Your Wedding Planning

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a never-ending to-do list, scrolling Pinterest at midnight, or feeling that planning your wedding has turned into a full-time job—you’re not alone. Almost every couple I meet has a moment (or ten!) where the overwhelm sneaks in.

But here’s the truth: your wedding day isn’t about perfect timelines, flawless décor, or Instagram-worthy napkins. It’s about the two of you standing up and saying, “This is our love. This is our commitment. This is our joy.” Everything else is extra.

As a celebrant, I get to see the magic up close. And here’s what I’ve learned: the most joyful weddings are not the ones that ticked every box. They’re the ones where the couple stayed connected to their “why.”

So, how do you keep planning fun and stress-light?

1. Come Back to Your “Why”

Before you get swept up in chair covers or cake toppers, pause and ask: What do we want this day to mean? How do we want it to feel? Keep the answers to these 2 questions front and centre—it’s your anchor.

2. Choose Your Top Three Priorities

Maybe it’s delicious food, live music, and a packed dance floor. Or maybe it’s an intimate ceremony and a gorgeous location. Once you’ve picked your top three, let those shine. Everything else can be simple, or even skipped.

3. Release the Small Stuff

Repeat after me: no one remembers the napkins. Guests will forget the exact colour of the flowers, but they’ll remember the belly laughs, the tears of joy, the hugs, and the vows. That’s what lingers.

4. Create Breathing Space

Block out little “no-planning zones” in your week. Have a night where wedding chat is off the table, and just enjoy being a couple. A glass of wine, a walk, a Netflix binge—it helps you come back to planning with fresh energy.

5. Ask for Help

You don’t have to do it all alone. Lean on your suppliers, your family, your friends. We’re all here to make this easier, not harder. And if in doubt—ask your celebrant (and Internationally Certified & Accredited Life Coach) (that’s me!) for some grounding perspective.

Remember…

At the end of the day, your wedding is a celebration of love. The planning should be a pathway into joy, not away from it. Let go of perfect. Choose what matters. And know that whatever happens, your day will be beautiful—because it’s yours.

Here’s to joy, not overwhelm. Let’s Plan Your Joyful Ceremony Together 

If you’d love a ceremony that feels relaxed, meaningful, and completely you, I’d love to chat. Together, we’ll create something that keeps the stress away and puts the joy front and centre.

On my wedding day, the heavens opened. Not a light sprinkle that photographers call “romantic drizzle,” but a full-on, dramatic storm. We’re talking thunder, lightning, and sheets of rain —the works—falling just as we were saying our vows. I remember looking at the sky, thinking, really? The day before had been glorious. The morning of? Beaming sunshine! The day after? Sunny and calm. But as the afternoon made its appearance, when we had a beautiful garden set up and armfuls of lawn games ready? It bucketed down.🙃

At the time, I was a little gutted (but me being me, I still made the fun with it). When people told me it was good luck to have rain on your wedding day, honestly—I wanted them to do one! It didn’t feel like luck at the time. I even spent our honeymoon talking about when we’d have our vow renewal, because I was convinced I was owed gorgeous weather.

Where I come from, we pout out a Child of Prague Statue – here, people bury sausages in order to fend the clouds away. A lot of our family group chat was focused on getting a new Child of Prague, of a formidable enough size to do the job, which was sorted by my sister in law. The previous family one had broken when it was knocked over on the morning of my sister’s wedding. Said sis in law presented it to me on our wedding eve – I thought she was just showing it to me to get my approval and fill me with confidence; she thought she was giving it to me to put out. We discovered it still in the box on a shelf in my parents’ kitchen the day after the wedding as we took shelter from the sun outside!

But here’s the thing: looking back, that storm didn’t ruin our wedding. It made it unforgettable. The thunder added drama to our vows. The lightning made us gasp and laugh. Our guests huddled together, and there was this feeling that we were all part of something wild, unpredictable, and oddly magical. The storm became part of our story, as if nature itself was celebrating with us in its own noisy way. Perfect for us nature lovers!

Of course, at the time, I consoled myself with dreams of a sunny vow renewal (“Surely I’m owed one perfect-weather wedding after this!”). But over time, I realised that it wasn’t ruined—it was unique.

And over time, I came to realise something: it’s not the weather that defines your day, but your attitude towards it. That’s why my new motto—spoken as a flower obsessive—is:

No rain, no flowers.

Without rain, the world would be dull and dry. It’s the same with life—and weddings. Sometimes the unexpected “storms” are what bring richness and beauty.

So if you’re a couple planning your wedding, and you’re nervously checking the forecast, here’s what I want you to know:

🌧️ Make a back-up wet weather plan, but don’t obsess.

Even if you’re manifesting sunshine, have a back-up plan. Tents, marquees, indoor options, games for inside—it’s not about being pessimistic, it’s about being prepared so you’re not panicking if clouds appear. When you know you’ve got shelter and comfort sorted, the rain loses its power to cause stress.

JIt’s All About Your Attitude

You can’t control the skies, but you can control how you meet them. Rain can feel disappointing if you’ve dreamed of sunshine, but if you flip your perspective, it becomes part of the fun. Think of it as an opportunity for spontaneity. Umbrellas, wellies, puddle-splashing, and laughter can make your photos and memories even more extraordinary. Embrace your inner child!

💕 Focus on the real heart of the day.

Your guests won’t remember that the croquet set stayed in the shed. They’ll remember the way you looked at each other, the vows you spoke, and the joy of being together—rain or shine.

🌸 Embrace the unexpected.

Some of the most magical wedding moments come from the things you didn’t plan. Guests running for cover, the sound of rain on canvas, couples dashing across soggy lawns—all these become stories you’ll laugh about for years. Rainy photos are some of the most romantic you’ll ever see—umbrellas, reflections in puddles, stolen kisses under grey skies. And if you do get drenched? Well, use your imagination…

CRemember the Symbolism

As a flower obsessive, I’m going to push my motto: “No rain, no flowers.” Rain nourishes, refreshes, and gives life. In the same way, unexpected challenges on your wedding day (or in life!) can bring beauty and strength you might not see straight away.

🎶 Dance in the Rain

Literally, if you like. Because when the weather doesn’t match your plans, the best thing you can do is meet it with joy. Forget the garden games (they’ll wait for another day) and instead grab your love, your people, and your moment.

Rain didn’t ruin our wedding—it gave it extra character. And whether the skies bless you with sunshine or showers, what truly matters is the promise you make and the people you share it with. Remember this: the weather can’t touch the love at the centre of your celebration. And who knows—maybe one day you’ll be like me, joking about your vow renewal in the sunshine, but smiling at the thought that thunder and lightning chose to crash your vows.

So, to every couple out there: don’t just survive the rain. Learn to dance in it.

Your Wedding, Your Way: Making Your Day Feel Like You—Even If You Don’t Like the Limelight

What If You Don’t Like Being the Centre of Attention on Your Wedding Day?

Not everyone dreams of walking down the aisle with all eyes on them. For some couples, the idea of standing in front of a room full of people, giving speeches, or even posing for endless photos feels daunting rather than exciting. And that’s completely okay. If you’re not someone who enjoys being in the spotlight, know this: you’re not alone.

Your wedding day should feel like you—not a performance. It should feel comfortable, authentic, and true to you as a couple.  If being the centre of attention makes you uneasy, there are lots of ways to shape the day so it feels more comfortable, while still making your day meaningful and memorable.

Rethink Traditions

Traditions like the grand entrance, walking down the aisle, or standing at the “top” in front of everyone are optional, not compulsory.

• You could walk in together, hand in hand, instead of one waiting for the other.

• Skip the big “ta-da” entrances and simply mingle with guests before the ceremony begins.

• Consider a circle or semi-circle layout for your ceremony, so you feel surrounded by loved ones rather than on show at the front.

Keep Your Ceremony Intimate

If the thought of a large crowd feels overwhelming, think about scaling down. A smaller ceremony with just your closest people followed by a bigger party later can ease the pressure.

Another option is to have a private or semi-private ceremony with just a few witnesses, and then celebrate with everyone else in a more relaxed way.

Find Ease with Photos

Being photographed all day can feel completely draining if you’re not a fan of being in front of the camera. If you don’t enjoy being in front of the camera:

• Talk to your photographer about capturing candid, natural shots instead of lots of posed ones.

• Plan a “first look” before the ceremony to take photos in private, away from your guests’ eyes.

• Give yourself permission to step away for breaks—it’s your day, and you set the pace. Know that you can skip any shots that don’t feel authentic.

Shift the Focus

Remember, your guests are there because they love you—not because they’re expecting a show. But if it helps, you can make the celebration less about standing in the spotlight:

• Incorporate group activities like games, food stations, or live music that encourage interaction.

• Share the attention—invite friends or family to do readings, play music. Or involve loved ones in rituals.

• Use your celebrant (that’s me!) as the one guiding the room’s attention, so you don’t feel all eyes are on you every second.

Remember What It’s Really About

At the end of the day, your wedding isn’t about traditions, photos, or entrances—it’s about the two of you and the commitment you’re making. Whether you’re shy, introverted, or simply prefer not to be in the spotlight, you absolutely deserve a wedding that feels joyful, relaxed and true to who you are.

Your wedding doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s—it just needs to feel right for you.

✨ As a celebrant, I love helping couples design ceremonies that fit their personalities, quirks, and comfort levels. If being the centre of attention worries you, let’s chat about ways to make your day feel relaxed, authentic, and 100% you!

Wedding Vows in The Woods