Risa James Events | Sacramento Wedding Planner

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Moving While Wedding Planning: The Ultimate Survival Guide

The wedding is one of the most (if not THE most) beautiful, but usually also one of the most stressful events in every couple’s life. Even though stress is present from the start of the wedding preparations, all of it goes away when that special day finally comes. Immeasurable happiness and joy take its place instead, and later, you remember only the good memories. But what if you are planning a move and a wedding at the same time? Is it manageable; is it even possible? Or is burnout unavoidable? Just remember this: Both of these life events will have a profound and positive impact on the course of your life. So, relax, breathe, and know that many others went through the same process and lived to tell the tale.

Don’t let panic overcome the positive emotions

Don’t be anxious and let panic overcome the positive emotions surrounding your wedding and move. If you start planning methodically and on time, you can enjoy both things while they are happening and not just after they are over.

Moving in together after the wedding has its challenges, but prepare yourself for beautiful moments that you will share, and starting a family can also be a good thing to look forward to.

Figure out what makes you most excited about in each process and remember those things whenever you are having a hard time. Is it the photo session, honeymoon, or equipping and furnishing your new home after the move?

Instead of focusing on potential problems, focus on specific solutions. Bear this in mind: most of our worries never materialize.

Ask other married couples what they remember the most about wedding planning and the actual wedding day. You will hear many funny, motivating, and inspiring stories, get some helpful advice, and you’ll see things from other perspectives.

Set your priorities and your budget

Talk to your partner about the financial aspect of both events. Determine what is crucial for both of you, and what is optional. Set your priorities and your budget accordingly. Make one checklist right in the beginning, of all expected expenses that can occur - for the wedding and the move individually. Give your estimate about each expense and write down the maximum price that you are willing to pay. Later, when you start calling different vendors and providers, it will be easier to decide what to accept and where to keep looking for a better offer. The more you stay on budget, the less stressful the whole thing will be.

Stressed about a move and a wedding at the same time? Relax, you can handle it!

Stay organized and communicate effectively

Effective organization and clear communication are essential when juggling both a move and wedding planning. Create separate folders or digital files for each aspect of your wedding and move, including contracts, receipts, and important documents. Keep a calendar or planner specifically dedicated to these events, noting key dates, appointments, and deadlines. 

Additionally, establish open lines of communication with your partner, family members, and vendors involved in both the wedding and the move. Regularly update and share information, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Consider setting up group chats or shared online platforms where everyone can collaborate and stay informed. By staying organized and maintaining clear communication, you'll minimize confusion, prevent last-minute surprises, and ensure that both processes run smoothly.

Find adequate professional help

The amount of time that you have can significantly shape the course of planning. Even if your timetable is short, there are solutions that will help you finish everything on time. Good organization, the help of family or friends, and professional help from experts in both matters will mean a lot.

Whether you are moving out of state after the wedding or only locally, it will save you a lot of time to delegate a few of the moving tasks instead of taking on all obligations yourself and getting overwhelmed. 

Additionally, consider reaching out to a wedding coordinator or planner who specializes in managing weddings during a move. Their expertise in both areas can provide invaluable guidance and support throughout the process. A professional wedding planner can help you navigate the challenges of simultaneous wedding planning and moving, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and relieving you of significant stress. 

They can offer personalized recommendations, create a customized timeline, and coordinate with vendors and suppliers to bring your dream wedding to life. At the same time, you focus on the logistics of the move. By entrusting the coordination of your wedding to a skilled professional, you can enjoy a smoother planning experience and have peace of mind on your special day.

Moving with ease

You can start by asking for estimates from potential movers. Find out the prices of all moving aspects (packing, loading, unpacking) and then decide which option is the best for you, and plan accordingly. It is crucial to hire adequate help so that you can focus on your wedding.

Wedding day without stress

The first part to handle is choosing your wedding date and then planning step by step. Try to engage your friends and family in different tasks - they will be happy to help and watch your back. When planning a move and a wedding at the same time, you'll need your loved ones by your side to succeed.

A wedding planner can help you organize your dream wedding.

Of course, the help of a professional wedding planner can significantly reduce your stress, since someone experienced will take care of every little detail. A wedding planner’s job is to reduce your stress to the minimum and ensure that everything goes as planned when the wedding day comes.

All kinds of checklists, reminders, and timetables are welcome

Checklists, reminders, and timetables can save you a lot of time and trouble along the way. Whether you are the old-fashioned type who likes to write everything down on paper, or a digital master of Excel sheets and virtual checklists, whatever your “weapon of choice” is, don’t forget to use it – write stuff down. Don’t count on memorizing everything during this period.

Wedding and moving lists can tell you when to take care of specific tasks while also reminding you of contacts for assistance. When making both checklists, try to break your wedding/move down into weeks and days so you don’t lose track of time or forget something essential. As you complete tasks, mark your progress on the list. The feeling of crossing out completed tasks is addictive, so you’ll soon find yourself looking for more things to complete, being more productive than ever.

Relax with your partner. Find time to show love, gratitude, and kindness.

Be kind and grateful to your partner

Months before the wedding and the move can be very tough. Don’t take the presence of your partner for granted. Remind them of how much you love them, give them some little signs of affection, make them dinner, organize a little surprise after a stressful day. Enjoy each other’s company and talk about anything other than the move or the wedding. The “love hormones” go up, the stress goes down.

Find ways to relax and unwind

Find what activities relax both you and your partner and find time for them. Go to your favorite places, such as restaurants or parks, watch your favorite movies together, go for long walks, squeeze in a little time for your hobbies, try something new. Or you can try a fail-proof recipe: choose your pre-wedding spa treatment, such as a couple's massage. Every spa activity, body treatment, sauna, or swim can be very helpful for unwinding.

Start your marriage with good organization and a good mood.

You can handle it

Planning a move and a wedding at the same time really demands good organization and a lot of thought, but you can handle it, and it will all be worth it in the end.

With all this in mind, you should start your “just married” life in the new home happily. It’s up to you now to ensure the “happily ever after”.


This is a guest post. Risa James Events has no financial relationship with any of the companies linked to in this post.