You’re engaged, congratulations! You might be already envisioning your epic wedding day. But to get there, there will be months of decision-making, logistical planning, and fielding unsolicited advice and opinions at every turn. It’s no wonder many couples are overwhelmed by the details and lose sight of the magic along the way.
But the good news is that the old paradigm of frazzled, perfection-driven wedding planning gives way to a new wave of mindfulness and intentionality in planning. Modern couples are more attuned to caring for their mental health and relationships and recognize wedding planning as a pivotal opportunity to establish the tone and patterns for their marriage.
Our expert is Kristin Crawford, The Dazzling Details’s owner and lead planner. She and her team are passionate advocates for engaged couples and guide them through a joyful wedding planning journey. Read on for insights to help you plan with intention, strengthen your bond, and prioritize what matters most to you both. And also use this unique opportunity to gain access to an episode of Kristin’s private podcast course Ever After with Ease. This episode titled “Wedding Economics: A Visionary Approach” isn’t your typical money talk. It will explain how to create something truly magical that lasts far beyond your wedding day.
MEET THE EXPERT
The Dazzling Details is a wedding & event planning agency based in Mexico. For nearly two decades, Kristin and her team have guided modern couples in creating a destination wedding experience that is stylish, chic, logistically smooth, epic fun, and narrates a unique story.
Their mission is to help couples navigate their wedding planning with clarity and confidence while keeping their love, connection, and mental well-being at the forefront. Kristin believes planning a wedding is just as much about the journey as the destination.
The images below showcase weddings organized by The Dazzling Details.
Start with the “Why”
Before diving into Pinterest, reflect on your core values and intentions for the wedding. Move beyond discussing your favorite aesthetic or music selections. First, explore how your core values can be reflected at the wedding and define your intentions for the celebration.
When you align on your ‘why’ from the start, you’ll be better equipped to make decisions aligned with what matters most to you. Take the time upfront to clarify your shared values and what you want to experience. This foundation will guide your wedding planning with meaning and purpose.
Share the Emotional Load
Amidst the excitement, it’s common to have worries and concerns about various aspects of your wedding journey. Whether it’s family dynamics, venue logistics, or financial stress, be open and honest to share these feelings with your partner.
Have dedicated time for “emotion downloads,” where you can express worries without fear of judgment, knowing your partner is there to listen and support you. This proactive communication helps reduce stress and minimizes potential conflicts or misunderstandings.
When being vulnerable to emotions, it’s natural to want to make your partner feel better but resist the urge to downplay or “fix” their worries. The key is sharing the load by listening, validating, and sitting with the emotions together. Simply saying, “I hear you, I’m here,” as you hold space for each other to feel what you feel makes all the difference.
Sharing the full range of emotions – excitement, doubts, fears, joy – builds a foundation of vulnerability and trust. Commit to regular emotional check-ins, and you’ll reach new depths of intimacy and connection.
Photo: 1 – The Times We Have, 2 – David Mendoza
Celebrate the Victories
When you take time to recognize special moments like securing your wedding date, booking your venue, deciding the menu, sending invitations – you infuse the process with joy. Crack open a bottle of champagne, savor a dinner date, have a spontaneous dance session in your living room, or exchange shoulder massages. Be intentional about celebrating these meaningful milestones along the way!
Noticing these small achievements boosts your spirits and strengthens your bond as a couple. These little wins add up, serving as motivation throughout this journey!
Photo: 1 – Taryn Baxter, 2 – Jess Leigh
Trust the Process
Your wedding vision may include gorgeous florals, a delicious menu, an epic dance party, or something entirely unique to you. Hire a planner who shares your excitement, listens to your vision, and helps align your expectations with reality.
Once you’ve assembled your team, trust them to handle the details while you enjoy the journey. Share your inspiration and ideas, then step back! Avoid micromanaging; after all, you hired professionals for a reason.
Roadblocks are bound to arise, but with the right mindset, they can become opportunities for mutual growth. Approach the planning process with flexibility, acknowledging that not everything may unfold exactly as envisioned. Remember, after the rain comes a rainbow. Have confidence that everything will fall into place beautifully. Surrendering to the process and tackling challenges together as a team offers perspective and nurtures your bond as a couple.
Photo: 1,4 – Sasha Samsonova, 2,3 – Ave Sol Photography, 5 – Bohemia Weddings, 6 – Jess Leigh
Keep Wedding Planning in Its Place
It’s easy to become consumed by the world of centerpieces and seating charts, but let your wedding preparations be an enjoyable part of your life, not a 24/7 obsession!
Rather than trying to schedule relationship time amidst the planning chaos, flip the script. Set aside specific times on your shared calendar for wedding tasks. The rest of the time? That’s for adventuring, laughing, and building memories that have nothing to do with tablescapes or song selections.
Your wedding is one day; your marriage is for life. Give wedding planning its designated time slots, then be fully present for your everyday life together outside of those planning sessions. Take a carefree stroll, cook dinner together, and geek out over your latest TV binge.
Photo: Christie Graham
Interested in more exclusive wedding planning insights? Gain access to an episode of Kristin’s private podcast, Ever After with Ease. Check out “Wedding Economics: A Visionary Approach,” offering unique money discussions, available now for Wed Vibes readers!
