How to Practice Self-Care During Wedding Season

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re in the middle of a crazy busy wedding season. You have weddings every weekend, and you’re checking off last-minute tasks for several couples. On top of that, you’re answering new leads and scheduling coffee meetings and phone calls with potential clients. You’re going all day and crashing in the evening, exhausted and maybe even a little burnt out.

While it may sound counterintuitive, the best thing you can do is take a break for yourself. Now, I get it, you’re probably saying, “There’s no way I have time to take a break right now. I have WAY too much to do.” I totally understand. Taking time for yourself likely seems impossible and low on your priority list. But, trust me, it is incredibly important that you let yourself have breaks to relax. You work very hard to make sure your clients are taken care of and that they feel as stress free as possible. But what good are you to your clients if you’re a worn-out hot mess who hasn’t slept well in 4 days?

Those of us in the wedding industry are BUSY and TIRED. I’ve watched planners who have two to three weddings in one weekend run around checking off so many to-do lists, I don’t know how they keep it all straight. We need to take care of ourselves and allow time for mental and physical breaks. This also enables us to be the best we can be for our couples.

If you need some suggestions on how to take a guilt-free (I repeat, guilt-free) break for a little self-care, keep reading. Also, if there is something I didn’t mention let me know! I’d love to hear how you take time for yourself amid a hectic wedding season.

Get Your Exercise

OK, I know what you’re saying, “You just finished reminding me how tired I am, and you want me to exercise?” Hear me out, though. If we learned anything from Elle Woods in Legally Blonde it’s that exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. Get out of the house and get some fresh air while you go for a walk or a jog. Or throw some jabs and kicks with kickboxing to release any pent-up frustration. 

My personal favorite form of exercise that I use to unwind is yoga. You can opt for a more meditative practice with lots of stretching and deep breathing or a fast-paced vinyasa flow that will raise your heart rate. Take a class at the gym, or even online. My favorite instructor – Adriene Mishler – has more than 600 videos on YouTube. I can always find something that matches how I’m feeling and what I need at any particular moment.

Prayer or Meditation

Having a positive mindset makes your entire day better. If you have time in the morning, start your day with prayer and/or meditation. It can be difficult to turn off all of the worrisome and stress-filled thoughts that bombard us constantly. As you try to quiet your mind, you might start to think about all of the things your clients need from you today. Acknowledge those thoughts, and then let them pass as you focus back on your prayer or meditation. To keep my inner thoughts at bay I enjoy a guided meditation that allows me to focus on the soothing voice of the speaker. A YouTuber I like for short meditation practices is Kenneth Soars. His voice is incredibly calming. If you want to meditate in the evening, he also has videos that will help lull you off to sleep.

Indulge in a Spa Day

Reach out to a local spa to book a full-body massage, facial, or manicure and pedicure. Let yourself be pampered by a professional and feel your stress lift away. If you’re getting a massage, your therapist can help to loosen any tension you’re carrying in your neck, shoulders, or back, which is where we tend to hold our stress. A foot massage also does wonders, especially if you’ve been spending entire weekends on your feet.

If you don’t have time to visit a spa, you can also create a relaxing evening at home. Do this by lighting candles around your house, pouring yourself some tea or wine, and/or indulging in a hot bath. Apply your favorite clay mask or sheet mask to give your skin a radiant glow. Grab a warm neck wrap filled with dried lavender for an added layer of comfort. Give yourself the time and space to pamper yourself. Trust me, you deserve it.

Relax with a Good Story

Pick up a book you’ve been meaning to read (or get back into one you may have started before wedding season) and allow yourself to escape reality for a little while with a good story. You may also opt to take time out to stream your favorite shows. Find something new, or turn on a beloved series you could watch several times over. Maybe you want to belly laugh to a comedy, get lost in an intriguing mystery, or indulge in some entertaining reality TV. Take 30 minutes, an hour, or however much time you have and unwind.

Listen to Music

There are videos on YouTube that loop the sounds of rain and jazz music for as many as 10 hours. I love to have this on as my background noise, especially if I’m writing. It helps me feel calm and relaxed while I’m being productive. You can also turn on soothing music while you unwind on your couch with your favorite beverage (bonus points if there is a fireplace somewhere nearby). Or maybe you want to turn on AC/DC and rock out to release some stress. A dance party in your living room to throwback Britney Spears might also be your jam. Find what makes you feel great and go for it.

A Weekend Away

I know a weekend getaway probably isn’t going to happen until your calendar calms down. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make plans. Rent a cabin with a hot tub in the mountains, visit a resort with a view of the ocean, or find wherever your happy place may be. Book a getaway at the end of wedding season for yourself and your partner, with a friend, or just on your own. It will give you something to look forward to as a reward for all of your hard work.