Trusting the Process: How I Survived Wedding Planning

It’s taken me about 5–10 minutes just to put together the first sentence of this blog—most likely because this particular post means a LOT to me, and I want to make sure I’m using all the right words! Eeek. Honestly, I have no idea where to begin.

Okay, let’s rewind a year—more precisely, to the 14th of May 2024. The day I officially started wedding planning. I still remember thinking, “What do I do?” “Where do I go?” There was so much to get through, and so little time—the world suddenly felt like a very scary place.

The first person I reached out to at the very start of it all was a lady named Latha—the owner of Sthayi Cochin. I contacted her to enquire about a bridal lehenga I hoped to wear for my engagement function. I had a reference picture and everything—it was a beautiful pink Banarasi lehenga with an organza dupatta, and I was 100% convinced this was the one. No doubt, no second thoughts, not even a teeny bit.

Little did I know that over the next few months, I’d come across SO MANY beautiful lehengas—so many, in fact, that I genuinely started wishing I could just rock up to my engagement in my washed-blue mom jeans, a comfy top, and a cute ASOS cardi... and (possibly) get away with it!

In hindsight, all the stress, the confusion, the endless screenshots, and long-distance conversations with multiple designers and brands—it was actually worth it. I ended up finding a lehenga that felt like it had been waiting just for me. And when I picked it up, tried it on, and finally got to flaunt it, everything felt right.

Tip 1:

When it comes to deciding what to wear, you'll most likely change your mind at least 100 times (especially if you're indecisive, like me). When that happens, try not to fret—just trust the process! You will end up finding the perfect outfit, even if it feels impossible in the moment.

Tip 2:

Avoid taking too many screenshots—it will only overwhelm and stress you out. It’s also incredibly difficult to find a specific screenshot when you’ve saved hundreds. Once you’re sure about a colour or style, delete all the others (and empty your Trash too, so you're not tempted to restore them and overcomplicate your life).

Aside from choosing outfits, there were plenty of other things on my to-do list. Time was ticking, and my heart was racing. From sorting out décor to organizing bridesmaids’ bouquets, the year ahead taught me the importance of trusting yourself and taking the leap—even when it feels like you can’t. If you’re currently planning a wedding, I want you to know: all the effort will be worth it, and you will have the best time of your life. Allow yourself to feel all the emotions—good or bad—because once it’s all over, you’ll look back on the journey with so much happiness and gratitude.

Our wedding season kickstarted with my engagement and mylanchi function on the 2nd of July, in Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam. It was such a blessing to have our engagement at the beautiful Kaduthuruthy Valiyapally—a church I used to visit every summer during our holidays in India.

As for the mylanchi... oh my goodness—it was the VIBIEST celebration ever! We had so much fun, and it’s a night I’ll remember forever 😊

Next came Ricky’s chandamcharthu on the 6th of July. Every part of the event was magical—from the dances to the outfits. Everything was top-tier, and it was so evident how much effort everyone put in to make it unforgettable. My personal highlight? The dances—so much energy, passion, and joy!

Then, on the 9th of July, came our special day—our answered prayer. I remember every moment so clearly. How could I forget? My dress, the bouquet, the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the first dance, witnessing Ricky turn into a husband, the smile on our parents' face, our special trio—Rony Chettan, Jismi Chechi, and Reshma—working their magic to make everything come together, my lovely Ani running around, and of course, our baby dolls—Nora and Nyla—showering us with kisses and hugs to get us through the day —everything was incredible. It’s these little moments that make the day even more unforgettable. All we wanted was to praise God for all the blessings he had given us.

The day didn’t start smoothly though—my stress levels were through the roof. We were 30 minutes behind schedule, and by the time we reached Beeza Hotel for family portraits, the photography team (Tuesday Lights—literally the best in town) were already there, waiting. But they were incredibly understanding, kept things calm, and made me feel at ease. We got to church just in time, and from that point on, I was able to relax and truly take in every moment—the first look, the thallikettu, Ricky singing, the vows, the nadavili—literally, everything.

The entire wedding season passed by in a blur, and part of me wishes someone had painted the whole day so I could hang it on a wall and relive it every single day. Looking back, there are a few things I wish I’d done differently—but honestly, they were all minor. In reality, there’s beauty in imperfection. What’s the point of everything being perfect, anyway? We had a good time. We made memories. All the hard work was worth it. So, it’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned. We learn, we move on, and most importantly—we grow.

More than anything, this entire process has made me realize the true meaning of patience, perseverance, and self-trust. The journey, with all its ups and downs, has taught me that the most beautiful moments often arise from the unexpected. And in the end, it’s not about perfection—it’s about the love, laughter, and memories you create along the way.