"Time is of the Essence! Tips for the Working Bride to Successfully Navigate Wedding Planning"
2019.07.13 published
Balancing work and wedding preparations is tough..
"Working brides" out there, how is your wedding planning going?
Brides who are also working have to juggle their jobs, household chores, and wedding preparations, making them extremely busy. It's not unusual to seriously think, "If only I had three bodies...!!"
During the weekdays, they can't move due to work, so they have to schedule meetings with the venue and try on dresses on their days off. Even if they want to meticulously create handmade items, they often lack time to shop for materials or to DIY.
He has completely left the wedding planning to me, saying, "Anything is fine," which can be disappointing and frustrating.
You might find yourself tearing up and thinking, "Why do I have to work so hard?" or "How can we manage after getting married in this state?"
There are many working brides across the country who feel the same way.
Many of my friends are working brides, and I've heard countless “working bride episodes” like, “We had a huge fight almost leading to divorce as our busy periods overlapped for wedding preparations” or “I was making videos while getting my hair and makeup done on the morning of the wedding because I ran out of time.”
Time is limited. So we have to be creative!
No matter how hard we try, time is limited. That's why working brides need to employ unique strategies that suit their circumstances!
If you're overwhelmed by work, housework, and wedding preparations to the point of sacrificing sleep and harming your health, that's meaningless. The most important thing is to remain exceptionally happy and smiling during both the engagement period and the wedding day♡
This time, I've summarized key points that busy working brides should keep in mind*
Tips for working brides① Secure your weekend schedule
During the engagement period, wedding planning tasks accrue on top of daily life. The most important thing to enjoy a mentally and physically relaxed engagement period is to properly secure time for these tasks*
Weekdays can often be unpredictable with sudden work commitments or company gatherings, leaving little private time. Therefore, it's advisable to treat weekends as “time to advance wedding preparations” and keep them free from other plans♡
Especially, be careful not to cram too many trips or events into the weekends three months before the wedding when preparations get serious! If you're thinking, "There's still time, but I don’t know what to do specifically," please refer to the following article♡
Tips for working brides② Make effective use of the internet
Working brides who can't move around during the day have limited opportunities to visit venues and dress shops. Even if they want to visit many places and carefully choose options, that can be impossible.
Therefore, working brides should skillfully utilize the internet to gather information♩ Basic information can be found on venue and shop websites, while actual scenery and reviews can be found on Instagram. There is a wealth of information available!♡
After researching online, if something feels off even slightly, it's best to decisively remove it from your options, which can help you make quicker decisions♩
Tips for working brides③ Don’t get too hung up on DIY
Many brides enjoy making original wedding items during their engagement period♡ A wedding item that is one-of-a-kind filled with personal touches is wonderful.
However, DIY can be a double-edged sword. While it allows you to fulfill your desires, it can be incredibly time-consuming. For working brides, it’s necessary to critically evaluate what to DIY and what not to*
For example, if you decide to make your own invitations, you'll need multiple items like [envelopes, main invitation, reply cards, maps, and post-it notes]. That requires considerable effort, and sourcing separate envelopes, cards, and main invitations can lead to higher costs.
Since invitations are often the first item guests interact with, there’s a desire to ensure they’re special, but it's rare for them to be admired during the ceremony itself. Therefore, guests generally don’t mind if they don’t match the design of other items.
By searching for vendors online, you can place an order for invitations starting at around 300 yen per piece, saving both time and money* Similarly, for video-related items, hiring professionals can result in high-quality products without taking too much time, so it's recommended◎
While it's essential to highlight the points you are passionate about, it’s vital to not try to make everything yourself. Wisely choose vendors and shops. This approach tends to be the least stressful and can lead to higher satisfaction levels*
Tips for working brides④ Don’t compare yourself to others
When you see friends' weddings or the wedding preparations of brides on Instagram, it can lead to feelings of anxiety by comparing your progress with theirs. It’s easy to get stressed seeing other brides who are ahead in their preparations or joyfully DIY-ing wonderful items...
Just like everyone is different, weddings are unique, and wedding preparations are also unique. There’s no need to feel down by comparing yourself to others* No matter how tight your preparations are or how minimal your items are, it’s guaranteed to be a happy day♡
Instead of feeling pessimistic by comparing yourself to others, the important thing is how much you can enjoy your engagement period at your own pace. Whenever you make any progress in your preparations, remember to praise yourself well♩
Manage your time wisely for a happy wedding planning period
For working brides with time constraints, it would be incredibly sad if the happily anticipated engagement period turned into something tough! Keep the tips I’ve shared in mind and navigate the process wisely, creatively, and enjoyably♡