Balancing Work, Wedding Planning, and Summer Travel: A Guide to Staying Sane and Savoring the Season in Westminster, Maryland
- crkrone46
- Jul 25
- 5 min read
Hi this is Christina, the owner of Montagu Meadows, a barn wedding venue located in Westminster, Maryland. I have helped hundreds of couples with their weddings by giving them helpful tips throughout the wedding planning process. I am also a certified counselor, and my counseling skills come in handy through this process. So how do you survive planning your wedding while working full-time and juggling summer getaways? You’re not alone and you’re not crazy. It’s a lot, but with a little strategy and a lot of grace for yourself, you can enjoy the engagement season without burning out.
Here’s how to stay balanced while preparing for your special day and enjoying the summer life:
1. Prioritize and Organize
Remember you are just one person, not a full event production team. Identify what aspects of your wedding matter most to you - maybe it’s the music, the
flowers, or the guest experience. Create a detailed timeline and don’t panic if you miss a deadline. It’s a plan, and plans are meant to be changed. Be kind to yourself and have fun through this process. You are marrying the love of life so enjoy!
2. Use Digital Tools to Stay on Track
Spreadsheets, shared calendars, planning apps - this is your time to lean into digital organization. Tools like Google Drive, Trello, or wedding-specific apps can help you manage guest lists, appointments, budgets, and timelines without letting anything fall through the cracks. You can even set up your guest RSVP’s and table assignments in these apps.
3. Tackle the Tough Stuff First
You know that one wedding task you’re dreading? Do that one first. Get it out of the way. It clears mental space and gives you momentum for everything else.
4. Delegate and Seek Support
You don’t have to do this alone. Friends and family want to help and they love being involved. Assign tasks like assembling invitations, researching vendors, or planning the bridal shower. You’ll feel lighter, and they’ll feel honored to contribute.
5. Hire a Wedding Coordinator or Planner
At Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue we require that you hire a wedding coordinator. Think of them as your behind-the-scenes fairy godmother.
Whether you hire full-service help or just someone for day-of coordination, a planner can save you time, stress, and even money by keeping you organized and alerting you to things you didn’t even know you needed. You get to enjoy being the bride, groom, mother of the bride, etc…
6. Plan Around Summer Travel
Taking time off? Good you need it a break from work and wedding planning. Use your vacation as a chance to reset. But be intentional: schedule virtual or in-person vendor meetings before your trip so you’re not scrambling. That way, when you’re on vacation, you can actually be present and have fun as a couple along with family and friends.
7. Keep Communication Flowing
Check in regularly with your partner. Talk about what’s working, what’s overwhelming, and when you both need to hit pause and don’t forget to tell them you love them. Set boundaries around the wedding talk. Maybe one day a week is wedding-free, or Sundays are for date nights with zero planning.
8. Don’t Neglect Self-Care
Wedding planning is just one part of your life. Make room for wellness:
• Take a hike
• Swim or take a boat ride
• Attend a yoga class
• Try an art class
• Read a book
• Plan a spontaneous dinner
Designate wedding-free nights where you can just be. Not everything has to be about your wedding. You’re still a whole person with a life beyond the big day and I always believe in positive self-talk. You can do this.
9. Use Your Personal or Vacation Days
This is the time to prioritize your personal goals. Whether you use a day to
meet with vendors or to just chill and catch up on life, taking time off isn’t selfish. It’s the smart thing to do and this is part of self care.
10. Stay Flexible
Even the most organized plans hit snags. It might rain on your engagement photos or your dream florist might get booked. You need to able to adapt, breathe, and pivot. Your mindset matters more than your minute-by-minute schedule.
11. Don’t Forget the Joy
Through all the timelines, tasks, and to-do lists, keep your eyes on the real prize: you’re getting married. Soak up the magic of this season. Laugh with your partner. Make memories. Celebrate the small wins. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and make it meaningful. You want to be able think about how happy and in love you were during this wedding planning process.
Balancing it all isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. With a little organization, support, and self-love, you can plan your dream wedding, spend time with your partner, and enjoy your summer.
You’ve got this.
Our History, Your Love Story – Montagu Meadows, an Historic Affordable Barn Wedding Venue in Westminster, MD
Looking for a stunning affordable Maryland barn wedding venue? Consider touring the Historic Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue located in the countryside of Carroll County, MD. Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue offers full-size dream weddings with receptions and intimate/elopement packages. Our Westminster, Maryland barn wedding venue offers a breathtaking setting with a team dedicated to making your wedding day perfect. Montagu Meadows
has stunning gardens and serene water views, creating a picturesque backdrop for unforgettable celebrations. We also proudly support the LGBTQ couples in a warm, inclusive environment. If you are looking for an elegant, rustic, and unforgettable wedding that is pet-friendly, contact us to schedule a tour.
Visit our Website: www.montagumeadows.com
Visit our gallery for additional photos: GALLERY | Montagu Meadows
Visit our intimate wedding ceremony page for package options: ELOPEMENT & INTIMATE WEDDINGS | Montagu Meadows
Email us at: crkrone46@gmail.com
Location: Westminster, MD in Carroll County
Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue happily serves the entire Carroll County, Maryland area which includes Sykesville, Eldersburg, Woodbine, Mount Airy, Taneytown, New Windsor, Union Bridge, Westminster, Manchester, Hampstead, and Lineboro. We also serve other Maryland Counties: Anne Arundel, Howard, Frederick, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Washington and along with Southern Pennsylvania which includes Adams, Lancaster, Franklin and York Counties.
Thank you for reading our wedding blog. We hope you find inspiration and helpful advice in all our wedding blog posts. Contact us today to start planning your dream wedding and discover how Montagu Meadows Wedding Venue can transform your special day into a warm, timeless celebration!
Our Venue, Montagu Meadows Weddings & Events, is a locally owned, family operated business. We encourage couples to learn more about the value and importance of choosing a locally owned business when it is time to book your wedding. We are thrilled to support wedding venue owners from around the country with a weekly shout out in each of our blogs:
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