Overwhelmed Planning Your Wedding? Here’s How to Stay Grounded (Even in the Summer Rush)

Let’s face it: planning a wedding in the middle of summer can feel like a lot (especially if you live in Austin, Texas where the summers can be pretty brutal).

The sun is blazing. Your inbox is full. Your to-do list has somehow grown a second page. And while everyone else seems to be sipping something sparkly by the pool, you’re juggling guest counts, invoices, and trying to remember all the nitty gritty details of your family dynamics.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or burnt out - you are so not alone.

At Imperfectly Planned, we don’t just support the logistics of your wedding. We support you - your heart, your nervous system, your emotional experience - so you can actually enjoy this season of your life instead of just surviving it.

Here’s how to stay grounded, even and especially when wedding planning feels like too much.

Why Summer Wedding Planning Feels So Overwhelming

Summer can be a popular season for weddings - but it’s also a season of sensory overload. The heat, the noise, the pressure, the comparisons. And because it’s “peak season,” you might feel like you’re constantly racing the clock.

Plus, if you’re planning for fall or winter, this stretch of time can feel like the final sprint. Suddenly everything feels urgent. And time seems to be flying by, as everyone is prepping for the fall season.

Here’s how you can hit the reset button.

3 Somatic Tools to Regulate Stress

Before you cross another thing off your to-do list, take one deep, gentle breath. You don’t need to overhaul your nervous system - you just need a moment of presence.

Try one of these:

1. Cool + Ground

Hold a cool object (like a chilled jade roller or even a frozen spoon). Let yourself really feel it. Notice the weight, the texture, the temperature. Let it bring you back to your body.

2. Butterfly Hug

Cross your arms over your chest like you’re giving yourself a hug. Gently tap your hands, left–right–left–right. It’s a self-soothing tool that tells your body, “I’m safe right now.”

3. Feet on the Floor

Stand or sit tall, press your feet into the ground, and say to yourself: I don’t have to do it all right now. I just have to take the next small step.

Gentle Planning Tips to Help You Breathe Again

You don’t need another rigid checklist. You need space - to feel, to think, to be (especially in the summertime).

Try this instead:

• Set three priorities a week. Not ten. Just three things that will genuinely move things forward. Let the rest wait.

• Build in buffer days. Days where nothing is scheduled - yes, on purpose. Believe me, I know how hard this can be!

• Say it out loud. Tell your partner, vendors, or family when you’re feeling stretched. You don’t have to carry it all in silence.

A Soft Reminder

Your wedding doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

You don’t need to prove anything or impress anyone. You don’t need to hustle your way into joy. You can soften. You can pause. You can come back to yourself and choose what really matters.

Because the most important thing isn’t the flowers or the playlist or the timeline.
It’s that you feel present for the moment your life changes. SWOON.

Coming Soon: A Journal for the Grounded Bride

If you're craving a wedding planning experience that honors your heart as much as your checklist, you're not alone.

At Imperfectly Planned, we believe in a slower, softer approach - one that supports your nervous system, your voice, and your joy. That’s why I’m creating the Grounded Bride Journal - a 21-day self-care tool to help you feel calm, clear, and connected as you plan.

It’s coming soon (as soon as I’m back from my summer travels!), and it’s designed for brides who want to feel more present, not more perfect.

✨ Want to be the first to know when it’s ready? Keep an eye on @im_perfectlyplanned, the Etsy shop, or check back here for the launch.

In the meantime, take what you need. Breathe. Pause. Trust that you're doing just enough. And don’t forget to enjoy your summer! ☀️