5 Ways Wedding Planners Can Incorporate Self-Care

By: Rachael Jessup

As a wedding planner, it’s only natural to juggle multiple tasks at once. Making your wedding clients happy, after all, entails that you make them a priority. This means delivering on a couple’s expectations so they can have the perfect event. However, in a New York Times article, wedding planner Meg Van Dyke explains that the difficulty of booking vendors in recent years has affected many wedding planners’ ability to satisfy clients. Frantically trying to secure caterers or florists is only one of the ways that wedding planners have increasingly experienced work-related stress. Fortunately, practicing self-care can help decrease said stress. The key is to nurture your mind and body as you navigate through a busy day of wedding planning. If you want to learn a few crucial strategies for incorporating self-care at work, read on.

Here are 5 ways wedding planners can incorporate self-care:

1. Eat healthily

A balanced diet is an absolute must in self-care. And thankfully, it’s rather easy to accommodate even while on a packed schedule. If you foresee yourself working from your desk or at the office the whole day, take a few minutes in the morning to pack a healthy lunch. Avoid food that’s high in sugar or unhealthy fats. Instead, reach for ingredients that are full of complex carbs such as pasta and whole-grain bread. Complex carbs not only stabilize blood sugar levels to keep you feeling balanced, but they also encourage the brain to produce more serotonin which is a feel-good chemical. Now, if you have errands to run, such as picking out table linens, don’t head out without taking a granola bar or a piece of fruit. These foods can help you feel energized as you tick off tasks from your to-do list.

2. Create an ergonomic workspace

Between making calls to secure the best photographer and researching scenic reception venues, it’s understandable if you stay at your desk for hours on end. However, don’t forget that it’s important to maintain good posture and take care of your body. One way you can do so is by creating an ergonomic workspace. Ergonomic equipment can help alleviate tension, pressure, and pain from the body, allowing you to stay comfortable while working. Consider investing in a table that’s the right level for your height, as well as a chair that encourages good muscle alignment. Removing any pain while working opens you up to becoming more productive while ensuring that your health remains in great condition.

3. Utilize aromatherapy oils

Yet another great way to incorporate self-care while working from your desk is utilizing aromatherapy oils. Aromatherapy has long since been used to circumvent stress and promote relaxation. Typically, aromatherapy oils including citronella, chamomile, patchouli, and rose are known to have soothing effects when inhaled. But if you’re heading out to meet up with wedding clients, you can simply carry a roller ball so you can apply the oil at your convenience and stay at ease!

4. Listen to music more often

Listening to music is among the easiest self-care strategies you can practice through a frantic workday. A 2020 Verywell Mind write-up titled ‘How to Use Music for Stress Relief’ discusses that classical music can give you the boost you need in the morning to focus on a busy day ahead. However, piano or guitar covers of your favorite songs can likewise soothe your mind in the midst of looking through wedding gown catalogs, for example. If you’re headed to a designer’s studio to check on a dress in person, consider listening to upbeat songs during your commute so you can remain in high spirits. Music has the ability to elevate your mood, so as much as possible, mix in your top tunes while working.

5. Take short walks outdoors

Even the joys of wedding planning can be stifling if you stay at your desk for too long. A wonderful supplement to the above tips is taking a short break to walk outside. A Sustainability study on nature walks explains that spending time outdoors has a positive impact on your mental health and well-being. If there aren’t any nearby parks from where you work, then you can always go around the block to take a breather (and clock in some light exercise while you’re at it). Similarly, if you’re making a stop at several vendor locations, and you see that they’re quite near each other, forgo using public transport and simply walk there yourself. These short walks outdoors don’t seem much, but they can go a long way in getting your blood flowing and keeping you refreshed.

For more insights on how to become a great wedding professional, read through our latest posts on The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada.