So, you’re getting married in 2022, are you? Well, here are some S.M.A.R.T. goals to set for yourself as you plan that special day for the new year! It’s a great way to make some resolutions that you’ll really keep and help you get into the rhythm of making real change in your years to come.
In case you don’t remember what a S.M.A.R.T. goal is, that stands for:
- Specific – not generic!
- Measurable – specific goals set, not blurry things like “lose weight this year.”
- Achievable – something that is possible to accomplish within your timeframe
- Realistic – plus, you can realistically plan to actually achieve that goal!
- Timely – you’ve got deadlines. None of this “this year…” stuff.
Create a Budget and Stick to It
If you haven’t already set a budget for your wedding in 2022, let me encourage you do that first and foremost as you continue planning. And don’t fudge on that budget, tweaking and adjusting the big total as you come across stuff you love. Instead, stick to a big budget (i.e., big total) for the whole thing and stick to that budget.
That doesn’t mean you won’t have some wiggle room as you plan, though! You’ll have that big number in mind for your grand total, but your budget will have some wiggle room because, hey – you got those invitations at a bargain price or the favors were on markdown as the season changed. Now, look! You’ve got more money to play with in another area of the budget.
To set this goal for yourself in the new year – and to make it a S.M.A.R.T. goal, do this:
- Determine a date (soon) by which to have your big budget price set.
- Set micro-goals within that for sections of the budget. (Do this by deciding the priority of items in the wedding plan for yourself. Like photographer, videographer, dance lessons – or whatever else is most important to you gets top billing.) But still add dates by which those sectional budgets are set.
- Follow that budget meticulously by checking in on it regularly. Make sure you’re sticking to the big number and adjusting the smaller numbers to keep within that overall cost plan for the big day.
Make Tough Decisions – Don’t Procrastinate!
For folks like me, there are certain things about planning that I hate. And guess what? Those are the things I most put off doing. And the more important the event those tasks are around, the more I put them off.
If there are certain decisions you’ve been putting off making (guest list, I’m looking at you!) because they’re challenging or unpleasant, help yourself out by creating some S.M.A.R.T. goals around those things. Set specific deadlines by which to make those decisions. Give yourself some grace, but not too much! And have folks keep you accountable on this one (and the budget goal!).
Give Yourself Small DIYS Goals Throughout the Planning Season
If you’re doing any DIY projects for the big day, the best way to get them done is, again, by not putting them off. You’ll drastically reduce your stress levels, too, if you’re able to accomplish small goals regularly, checking items off your list (if you’re that sort of bride!), and reducing the last minute workload right before the big day hits.
I highly recommend setting some DIY goals for yourself like:
- Host 2 DIY parties by (two months before wedding) – ask your local friends and family to help out!
- Purchase all DIY supplies by (at least 2 weeks before each DIY event)
- Do three small DIY tasks daily for three weeks – This could be things like, decide on what ribbon for favors, purchase supplies for project #1, or stuff 5 gift bags
Of course, you can change any of these up with more realistic numbers for yourself, based around the wedding date and your work, school, and volunteer schedule.
Celebrate Your Love Every Day
This is a huge one, in my opinion. During the wedding planning season of our lives, we so often get wrapped up in the details of planning that we forget to enjoy the process, and more importantly, forget to celebrate the love we share with our partners.
Resolve to do one small thing each day as you plan your wedding to celebrate your love for each other. That could be something as simple as eating a meal together and just talking or something more time-consuming, like an actual date. Just make sure that you and your partner are people in your own planning, not just objects. (I know that sounds weird, but it’s true!)
