Surviving the Wedding Planning Maze
Surviving the Wedding Planning Maze: How to Keep Calm for your Adler Ranch, Alexandria MN Wedding
After the excitement of saying “yes,” it’s easy to get swept up in a whirlwind of Pinterest boards, venue tours, and a million little decisions. Suddenly, your engagement starts feeling more like a full-time job than a celebration. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Wedding planning can absolutely be stressful—but it doesn’t have to take over your life. That’s where we come in.
At Adler Ranch Wedding Venue, just outside Alexandria, MN (and an easy drive from Minneapolis and Moorhead), we’ve spent the last six years helping couples navigate the highs and lows of planning a dream wedding. From choosing the right farm wedding vibe to staying grounded when the to-do list grows longer than your veil, we’re here to help. If you’re searching for a “wedding location near me” or comparing rustic wedding venues near Alexandria, don’t just pick a place—partner with people who get it. Keep reading for down-to-earth advice to help you ditch the stress, enjoy the ride and get some tips for surviving the wedding planning maze.
Choose your priorities
1. Your To-Do List: The Real MVP
When wedding stress creeps in, your best defense is a solid, detailed to-do list. Think of it as your roadmap—and your safety net. Breaking things down into manageable pieces makes everything feel less overwhelming. Instead of “plan wedding,” aim for specific, actionable items like “book florist,” “schedule engagement photos,” or “confirm guest count.”
Bonus tip? Try not to look at the whole list every day. Just focus on what needs your attention this week. That’s it.
2. Nail Down the Venue Early
Before you fall in love with a dress, a date, or a dozen décor ideas—book your venue. Your wedding location sets the tone for everything else. If you're searching for a wedding location near me or scrolling through rustic wedding venues near Alexandria, MN, lock in the spot that fits your vibe and your guest list.
Adler Ranch is a favorite for couples dreaming of a farm wedding experience without giving up comfort or style. And yes, we’re biased—but once you see our lighted vintage signs, open-air bar, and stunning views, you might be too. Check out Adler Ranch, Alexandria MN Wedding Venue. Visit our Amenities page.
Video of Adler Ranch, Central MN Wedding Venue, located five miles from Alexandria.
3. Find Your Dress (Not Someone Else’s)
This is supposed to be fun! Don’t let dress shopping turn into a pressure cooker of opinions. Whether you want boho lace, clean lines, or sparkles for days—this is about what makes you feel amazing. Try things on, take photos, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. And most importantly: bring people who will hype you up, not stress you out.
4. Build Your Vendor Team
The best vendors book fast—so don’t wait to start locking in your photographer, caterer, florist, and DJ. When you're contacting people, be clear about your vision and your budget. The good ones will help you stay grounded, guide you through decisions, and make your day smoother than you thought possible.
Pro tip: Treat your vendors like the professionals they are. Respect their time, pay deposits on schedule, and communicate clearly. If you decide not to go hire a vendor, it’s helpful to them to email them and let them know, instead of ghosting them. It goes a long way—and you’ll be glad you did.
Wedding guests enjoy the venue grounds at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue near Alexandria MN
Surviving the Wedding Planning Maze
5. Take Breaks—Seriously
Here’s something not enough people say: it’s okay to not talk about your wedding every day. Go on a date night and don’t bring up linen colors. Spend a weekend not checking emails or scrolling Pinterest. Taking breaks helps you reset and remember that this is about your love—not just the logistics.
6. Self-Care Isn’t Optional
This isn’t the time to burn out. You’ve got a lot going on, so don’t forget to take care of yourself—mind and body. Whether it’s a hot bath, a long walk, therapy, or a Saturday morning with zero obligations, protect your peace. This is a huge season in your life, and you deserve to enjoy it.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate
You do not have to do everything yourself. Ask for help. Give your mom a project. Let your best friend research cake options. Assign someone to handle vendor questions the week of the wedding. Letting go of a few tasks means you’ll show up to your wedding feeling present, not panicked.
Shared Responsibilities: You’re Not in This Alone
It’s not just your day—it’s your partner’s too. Sharing the planning process helps lighten the load and brings you closer together as a team. Divvy up the responsibilities based on your strengths and interests, and remember: it’s okay if everything doesn’t fall perfectly into place. What matters is that you’re doing it together.
The Team Beyond Two
We encourage you to delegate! You have a bigger team. Identify helpful people to pull your wedding day together.
The Team Beyond Two
Your friends and family want to help—so let them! Delegating tasks can make your to-do list feel way more manageable, especially as the big day approaches. A few ideas:
Parents can help with the guest list, seating charts, and traditional elements like family rituals or readings.
Bridal party members are perfect for organizing the rehearsal dinner, helping with decor, or managing pre-wedding errands.
Talented friends can lend a hand with graphic design, music playlists, or even baking (if you're lucky).
Give people specific, doable tasks, and don’t be afraid to let go of a little control. It makes a huge difference.
Call in the Pros
If your budget allows, hiring a wedding planner can be a game-changer. Professional planners come armed with insider knowledge, industry connections, and most importantly—time. Time that you might not have, especially if you’re balancing work, life, and planning.
At Adler Ranch, we’ve worked with some fantastic planners who know the venue inside and out. Need a recommendation? We’d be happy to share our favorites and all of our suggestions have proven they can do the job!
The Final Knot
Planning a wedding is never a straight line. It’s a winding, sometimes messy journey that will test your patience and creativity—but it’s also filled with memories in the making. The day itself is just a few magical hours; the planning process is where the real bonding, laughter, and growth happen.
So give yourself grace. Ask for help. Prioritize what matters most. And when things start to feel like a tangled ball of wedding spaghetti—remember, the final picture will be uniquely, beautifully you.
Need support, ideas, or just someone to walk the venue with you? Reach out to us at Adler Ranch—we can’t wait to hear your story. For daily inspiration, behind-the-scenes tips, and real wedding highlights, follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Vintage lighted signs at Adler Ranch Wedding Venue near Alexandria MN
All original vintage signs, never a reproduction! Creating a magical experience for your wedding reception!
Adler Ranch is your dream destination for a truly unique wedding experience. As an independently owned and family-operated ranch wedding venue nestled in the heart of the Alexandria, MN lakes area; we pride ourselves on offering a limited number of weddings each season to ensure every couple receives the personalized attention they deserve. Embracing our roots, we support local businesses and create an inclusive, unconventional wedding venue that stands out from the rest. When you choose Adler Ranch, you're not just booking a venue; you're becoming part of our family and the vibrant Alexandria community. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider Adler Ranch or another locally owned wedding venue like ours. Fill out our form to request more information.
Special thanks to these wonderful venues from around the country who have inspired this blog and given so many fresh ideas to our wedding venue!
Amarillo Wedding Venue | Cornerstone Ranch Events Center | Wedding Venue Owners ⋆ Wedding Venue Owners Hightower Falls The Barn at Cedar Grove La Joya Dulce Notting Hill Farm, Events by Bliss Barn, Green Clover Farm, The Venue at Murphy Lane,
