If marriage is a team effort, then consider planning a wedding while in a long-distance engagement your warm-up game. No matter how long you’ve been in a long-distance relationship, engaging in the planning process will bring your communication and teamwork to a whole new level.
Yes, there is a lot to do, and yes, it might be more challenging than planning with a partner who is in the same town, but it is certainly not impossible. Many LDR couples have gone before you and made planning a wedding miles apart work.
Don’t try and reinvent the wheel here (or spin your wheels trying to get it all perfect). Just sit back, relax, and read on for some advice and steps you can take to make sure your wedding planning adventure is both successful and fun.
Related: 8 Wedding Planning Tips You May Not Have Heard Of
LEVEL UP YOUR COMMUNICATION GAME
Open and honest communication is important in any relationship, but it’s especially key when you’re planning something as big as a wedding while long distance. It’s important to involve each other in decision making and make sure each person is heard and respected. Talk to each other about schedules, vendor interviews, decor ideas, wedding themes, etc. and keep each other in the loop so that one or the other doesn’t show up to the wedding with a look of confusion.
GET AND STAY ORGANIZED
Practicing organization during your long-distance wedding planning may be the most helpful thing you can do. Not only will it keep you on track, but will keep stress levels much lower than if you were to just dive in and swim with no plan.
Take advantage of wedding planning timelines and set designated times for in-person planning, visiting venues, discussing menu ideas, meeting with vendors, and the like. Use video calling to meet with vendors when you can’t be in the same place. Set up Google documents and spreadsheets that both you and your fiancé can use and email each other often.
Also, try and divide up the to-dos and make sure each person is participating in the planning process. One of you may take on more tasks because you’re closer to where the wedding will take place, but even if the other checks off some of the smaller details, it will be a big help.
You can also reach out to friends and family, and if the budget allows, hire a wedding planner or coordinator. Having a support system, whether it’s through friends/family or a professional, can make all the difference in stressing less and staying on track.
ENJOY YOUR ENGAGEMENT
A lot of time will be dedicated to wedding planning, but it’s also important to schedule in some time that’s not wedding related. Make time for quality conversations, schedule a date night over video or in person, send loving/funny texts and photos to each other throughout the week, or send an end-of-week email to check in on your partner’s thoughts/feelings/ideas/etc. (wedding-related or not).
And here’s a little bonus tip: one of the best things you can do when planning a wedding while in an LDR is to take it one day at a time. Don’t feel like you have to get everything done perfectly right.this.minute. And don’t worry about things you can’t control. I know it may seem easier said than done at times, but just remind yourself and your partner that:
Step by step,
one day at a time
makes a challenging task
an easier climb.
Related: What to Do When You’re Fed Up With Wedding Planning
Although you can always check out my blogs for wedding planning tips, feel free to reach out to me! I love helping couples plan their special day!
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