Along with a never-ending to-do list of decisions to make and vendors to contact, wedding planning can get extra gritty and stressful because of the people surrounding you. From the unwarranted opinions from close friends and family members, to people in your life getting bossy and pushy about the plans you’re making for your big day, dealing with difficult personalities can be the kind of conflict you don’t have time for and hardly have the emotional capacity to deal with.

If those in your close circle are swirling around you with negativity, here are the best ways to manage their difficulties as you’re working hard to plan your wedding.

Set Expectations

Before your wedding gets taken over by the plans, decisions and opinions of everyone around you, take a few steps back and get serious about setting expectations before others get involved.

Sit down with your fiancé and create a must-have list of things you definitely want (and don't want) at your wedding, even if other people won’t end up agreeing. Decide what both of you want to hold onto and what tasks you’re okay with giving to friends and family members.

With a game plan in mind, you’ll limit people who want to attach themselves to your big day and keep them from overstepping.

Keep Them Busy

If you have a couple of people who are so eager to get involved that they are already signing contracts with vendors and picking out centerpieces without your blessing, you should find tasks they can take on to keep them busy.

Pick things you’re okay with them putting their own flair on, like the welcome baskets or party favors. That way, they’ll feel like they have a project that’ll keep them out of the big decisions you really don’t want them involved with.

Have the Tough Talk

When you have people talking negatively about you and your fiancé, your wedding plans or just bringing the drama to the table, it might be time to have a chat with them.

Wedding planning is stressful enough without having to deal with people bringing you down or second-guessing yourself. Stop the bad attitudes early on by sitting the person down and letting them know how their comments make you feel and how you’d appreciate them staying positive and drama-free. This way, you can walk down the aisle without too many pre-wedding headaches or cry sessions.

Focus on Self-Care

When the cast of characters surrounding you becomes too much to handle, schedule some alone time to unplug from your phone and from people. Find opportunities, at least once a week, to do something nice for yourself. Whether it’s a manicure, a walk around the park, a dinner alone or a yoga class just to take your mind off of things. Get away from the noise as often as you can so that you can stay grounded and feeling good.

Feel Free to Ignore

People don’t change too quickly, even when we ask them. So, if you have a couple of extra-difficult personalities who keep making you anxious or upset, feel free to cut them out of daily communication as much as you can. Ignore phone calls and text messages and make a plan to reply when you’re ready. Don’t feel like you have to give in to their requests. In-person, change the subject when wedding planning comes up, let them know you have it all under control or simply leave the room to take a deep breath and shake off the stress.