With weddings, we know there are no do-overs. That’s what makes being a wedding planner and part of the wedding industry in general challenging. There’s a lot at stake for your client’s wedding–and you want to make sure you get it right. But with that responsibility, you’ll find yourself dealing with wedding planning stress. Inside this article, I want to share some tools to manage your wedding planning stress, especially during your wedding season.
I was a wedding planner for over 12-years, and during my time working with clients, I’ve faced every stressful situation imaginable. Perhaps the most challenging part about being a wedding planner is knowing that everything is *not* within your control… but you feel a personal responsibility to help, manage, and fix all of it.
How do you manage wedding planning stress? Whether you’re on the ground at an event or dealing with an unforeseen issue in the planning process… Let’s talk about it.
Beat Wedding Planner Stress by Changing Your Soundtrack
When we’re stressing about something, it’s easy to let that stress consume our thoughts. Whether you’re dealing with a client issue or a problem that needs handling, a soundtrack can quickly emerge inside your head–and it’s all you can think about.
Those thoughts come roaring through your mind. Thoughts like…
“What am I going to do next?”
“Is my client going to be pissed? What if they blame me for this?”
“How can I solve this problem?”
Your thoughts can quickly spiral out of control when you’re stressed. Instead of letting your anxiety and stress consume you, change your soundtrack. Find a way to focus on something else for a while. Load up your favorite podcast, listen to music, or read something uplifting. I love going for a workout when I’m feeling stressed or when my thoughts are getting the best of me.
Switch up your environment and change your soundtrack. Then, come back with a fresh perspective.
Call On Past Experiences To Combat Wedding Planner Stress
This isn’t your first rodeo, even if it is your first wedding.
You’ve been here before. It doesn’t feel like it, but you have. And that’s because you’ve done hard things in your life–and you will do them again. Take a moment and remember the last time you dealt with a tricky situation. You’re still here, right? Right.
When wedding planning stress hits, remember that you’re a boss who’s handled things in the past. You figured it out, moved past it, and have lived to tell the tail.
Combat Wedding Planner Stress By Finding Your Gratitude
This might sound hokey, but it works. Take five minutes to write down what you’re grateful for today. List out all the good things in your life and your career that bring you happiness. Finding your gratitude can help you see the bigger picture.
In moments of stress or as the anxiety of your job builds, gratitude for the good will always keep you ground. It helped me in some of the most stressful situations I’ve ever experienced, and I know it’ll help you.
Hold up – are you looking for some extra support to combat the wedding season craziness and stress?
Come and join us inside The Planner’s Playbook! Inside my coaching community for wedding planners, you’ll find all the training, support, guidance, and community you need to tackle whatever wedding season throws your way.
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As I’ve been thinking about 2026 and how I want to move into this next chapter, a phrase has kept coming back to me…
Pause, then choose.
For me, this year or phrase isn’t about slowing down for the sake of slowing down. I definitely have NO intentions on doing that. Instead, it’s about creating space before decisions.
Letting things settle.
Looking at opportunities, ideas, and next steps with clearer eyes instead of reacting out of urgency or pressure to have all the answers right now.
I’m realizing that in order to grow into what’s next for me, and this space we share, I actually need to pause first.
Pause to check in.
Pause to savor where I am.
Pause to notice what’s working, what feels aligned, and what I want more of.
Pause to see what’s around me.
And then… choose. Choose with intention. Choose with clarity. Choose from a grounded place instead of a rushed one.
This feels like both a mindset shift and a practice I want to carry with me all year and I wanted to share it in case it resonates with where you are right now, too!
Have you picked a word or phrase of the year, yet? If so, share it with me and what it signifies to you! I’m dying to know. 💜
Lesson 4: Stop waiting for someone else to validate you.
This one comes up a lot.
So many talented wedding pros are waiting to feel chosen — by the industry, by a client, by someone with a bigger platform — before they let themselves move forward.
👉🏼 Where do you think you’re still waiting for permission instead of deciding for yourself?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These lessons are pulled straight from my 200th podcast episode, and the goal is conversation — not perfection. I’m glad you’re here.
Lesson 3: Your reputation is built in the small, unseen moments.
This is something I’ve watched play out over and over again in this industry.
How you communicate when things are easy matters — but how you show up when things are stressful, uncomfortable, or inconvenient matters a whole lot more.
👉🏼 What do you think people remember most about working with you once the event is over?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These are lessons pulled straight from what I’ve seen, experienced, and talked about on the podcast — and I’m loving the conversations they’re sparking. Come back tomorrow for the next one.
#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingplanner #weddingbusiness
Lesson 2: You don’t grow by doing more. You grow by doing what actually matters.
This one comes up constantly in my work.
So many wedding pros feel behind, lazy, or like they’re not doing enough — when in reality, they’re doing too much of the wrong stuff at the same time.
👉🏼 If you had to pick one thing to focus on for the next few months, what would it be?
Or flip side: what’s one thing you already know you could let go of?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These are the ideas I come back to when I think about longevity, focus, and building a business that doesn’t require constant hustle to survive. I’d love for you to stick around and join the conversation as we go.
#weddingindustry #weddingpros #candicecoppola #2026goals #businessgrowthstrategy
All, Growing a Business, Lessons in Business, Mindset's To Fix, Things to Do Better, Wedding Planning Advice
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