Sleepless Nights, your wedding brain is burning — stop planning through the haze and learn how good sleep that saves your sanity with The Expert Sleep Guru Kerry Davies, AKA The Sleep Fixer
- Fannie Fleur
- Jul 14
- 7 min read
There's something magical about planning a wedding—the excitement of choosing flowers, the joy of finding the perfect dress, the anticipation of celebrating with everyone you love. But let's be honest: it can also be absolutely exhausting. If you've found yourself lying awake at 2am mentally rearranging table plans or wondering whether you've ordered enough champagne, you're not alone.
Wedding planning is meant to be one of life's happiest experiences, yet for so many couples, it comes with an unexpected side effect: sleepless nights. That's why we sat down with Kerry Davies, The Sleep Fixer, to talk about why wedding stress keeps us awake and, more importantly, what we can actually do about it.
Kerry's approach is refreshingly practical. She doesn't believe in complicated sleep rules or unrealistic expectations. Instead, she helps people understand the science behind why we struggle to switch off—and how to work with our bodies, not against them. Whether you're just starting to plan or counting down the final weeks, this conversation is packed with genuinely useful advice that might just transform not only your sleep, but your entire wedding journey.
So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let's talk about sleep
(FF) "Kerry, thanks so much for joining us today. Before we dive in, can you introduce yourself and explain how you help couples?"
(SF) "I'm Kerry Davies, better known as The Sleep Fixer. I help adults, children and families understand why sleep has become difficult and, more importantly, how to get it back on track.
My approach is always rooted in sleep science, but I like to explain things in a way that actually makes sense. Sleep isn't something we can force—it's a biological process that happens when the conditions are right. During wedding planning, emotions are running high, to-do lists seem endless, and it's really common for sleep to suffer. My role is to help couples calm the chaos, sleep better and actually enjoy the journey to their wedding."
The Sleep-Stress Connection
(FF) "That makes so much sense. Let's start with the basics—how does stress affect sleep, particularly during wedding planning?"
(SF) "Wedding planning is one of those life events that's full of excitement, but it's also incredibly stressful. The interesting thing is that your brain doesn't really separate "good" stress from "bad" stress. It simply recognises that there's a lot going on.
If you've spent the whole day making decisions, worrying about budgets, replying to suppliers and wondering whether you've forgotten something, it's no surprise your brain is still ticking away when your head hits the pillow.
I always say that sleep arrives when your brain feels safe enough to switch off. If it's still planning tomorrow's seating chart at midnight, it's just doing the job you've asked it to do all day."
(FF) "That's such a helpful way to think about it. Are there particular parts of wedding planning that are worse for sleep?"
(SF) "Definitely. Finances are a big one. Family dynamics can be another. Then there's trying to please everyone, making hundreds of decisions and, of course, social media. Comparing your wedding to everyone else's at 10 o'clock at night isn't exactly setting your brain up for a restful sleep."
Common Sleep Issues
(FF) "I think a lot of our couples will relate to that! What are the most common sleep issues you tend to see?"
(SF) The most common thing is simply not being able to switch off. People tell me they're exhausted, but the moment they get into bed their brain suddenly wakes up. Others fall asleep but wake during the night thinking about flowers, guest lists or whether they've replied to the photographer. Early morning waking is really common too.
(FF) "How can people tell if stress is the cause?"
(SF) "Usually it's about timing. If you've always slept fairly well but things started changing once wedding planning ramped up, that's a pretty good clue. If your thoughts at night are mostly about the wedding, your brain is telling you exactly what's keeping it awake."
The Effects of Poor Sleep
(FF) "So what actually happens when people aren't sleeping properly?"
(SF) Everything feels harder. When we're sleep deprived we're more emotional, less patient and much more likely to overreact to things that normally wouldn't bother us. Physically, people often feel run down, they're more likely to catch bugs, crave sugary foods and simply don't have the energy they'd like during such an exciting time."
(FF)"That sounds tough. Can it affect the relationship itself?"
(SF) "Absolutely, but not because sleep creates problems—it simply makes us less resilient.
When we're tired, we're quicker to snap, more likely to misunderstand each other and much less able to put things into perspective. Sometimes it's not really about the table plan at all, it's just two exhausted people trying to make yet another decision.
Decision-Making
(FF)" That's such an important point. Does poor sleep actually affect planning decisions?"
(SF) "Without a doubt. Planning a wedding involves hundreds of decisions, and sleep is one of the things that helps our brain organise information and make balanced choices. When you're tired, everything suddenly feels urgent and much bigger than it actually is."
(FF) "Can it create conflict between couples?"
(SF) "Yes, simply because fatigue reduces patience. I've had couples laugh afterwards because they realised they spent an hour arguing over napkin colours when, in reality, they just needed a good night's sleep."
Improving Sleep
(FF) "Right, let's get to the practical stuff. What are your top tips for improving sleep during wedding planning?"
(SF) One of the biggest mistakes people make is only thinking about bedtime. Sleep actually starts the moment you wake up. I always encourage couples to get outside into natural daylight in the morning, keep a fairly consistent wake-up time and avoid leaving wedding planning until they're lying in bed.
I also love what I call a "brain dump." Spend ten minutes before the evening writing down everything that's still swirling around in your head. It gives your brain permission to stop holding onto it.
(FF) "I love that idea. What about bedtime routines themselves?"
(SF) "Keep them simple. A warm bath or shower, reading, gentle stretching or just sitting together with a cup of herbal tea can all help signal to your brain that the day is finished."
Relaxation Techniques
(FF) "Are there any specific relaxation techniques that work particularly well?"
(SF) " I'm a big fan of slow breathing because it's something everyone can do. Breathing out for slightly longer than you breathe in naturally helps settle your nervous system. Gentle stretching, progressive muscle relaxation or a guided body scan can all work beautifully too.
Communication
(FF) "What about communication between partners? Can that improve sleep?"
(SF) "Absolutely. Often couples don't realise how much mental load one person is carrying.
Having a quick conversation earlier in the evening about what's worrying each of you can stop those thoughts popping up once you're in bed."
Mindfulness
(FF) "There's a lot of talk about mindfulness these days. Can it genuinely help with wedding stress and sleep?"
(SF) " Definitely, although I think people sometimes misunderstand what mindfulness is. It's not about having a completely empty mind—that's unrealistic. It's about noticing thoughts without feeling like you have to solve every single one before you can sleep."
(FF) "Are there any apps you'd recommend?"
(SF) "Insight Timer is fantastic. I also like Balance and Calm. But honestly, even a simple ten-minute body scan can make a huge difference."
The Sleep Fixer Approach
(FF) "Tell us a bit more about how you actually work with couples?"
(SF) " I don't hand people a long list of rules. Instead, I help them understand what's actually driving their sleep difficulties. Sometimes it's their body clock, sometimes it's sleep pressure, sometimes it's their nervous system staying switched on. Once you understand the reason, the solution becomes much clearer. I offer one-to-one coaching, CBT-I for adults struggling with insomnia, workshops and online resources, all designed to make sleep feel achievable rather than overwhelming."
When Should Couples Seek Help
(FF) "At what point should couples think about seeking professional help with their sleep?"
(SF) " If sleep problems have been going on for several weeks, are affecting mood, work or relationships, or they're spending hours awake every night despite trying everything, it's worth getting support. And if there are symptoms like loud snoring, pauses in breathing or excessive daytime sleepiness, it's important to get those checked medically too."
Preparing for the Wedding Day
(FF) " We're getting close to the big day now. Any final advice for the night before the wedding?"
(SF) " Please don't put pressure on yourself to have the "perfect" night's sleep before your wedding.
Most couples don't. You're excited, emotional and full of anticipation—that's completely normal.
Instead, focus on sleeping well throughout the week beforehand. One slightly restless night won't ruin your wedding day."
After the Wedding
(FF) " And what about after the wedding? Should couples expect their sleep to just bounce back?"
(SF) " Once everything settles down, don't forget the healthy habits you've built.
Sleep is one of the best investments you can make—not just for your health, but for your relationship too.
Looking after your sleep means you're much better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at you next."
Wedding Sleep Packages
(FF) "You've created something specifically for couples planning weddings, haven't you?"
(SF) " I've created wedding sleep packages because planning a wedding shouldn't mean months of feeling exhausted. The packages are designed to help couples feel calmer, sleep better and manage stress throughout the planning process. We look at everything from racing thoughts and anxiety to practical sleep habits, relaxation techniques and creating routines that actually fit around real life.
The aim isn't just to help people sleep before the wedding—it's to give them tools they'll continue using long into married life."
A Fun Sleep Fact
(FF) "Before we finish, I have to ask—do you have a favourite sleep fact related to weddings?"
(SF) " One of my favourite sleep facts is that you don't actually have to sleep brilliantly the night before your wedding to have an amazing day. Adrenaline is incredibly powerful. It's why so many couples tell me they barely slept, yet somehow felt fantastic all day. Ironically, worrying about getting the perfect night's sleep is often the thing that keeps people awake. So my advice is always the same: sleep well during the week before your wedding, and don't panic if the night before isn't perfect."
(FF) " Kerry, this has been absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today"
Kerry Davies, The Sleep Fixer: " My pleasure. Sleep well, everyone!"
For more information about Kerry's wedding sleep packages or to book a consultation, visit The Sleep Fixer. Planning a wedding should be joyful, not exhausting—and with the right support, it absolutely can be.
The Sleep Fixer is one of our valued Vetted Supplier Members and comes highly recommended.
Hope you enjoyed out latest feature, we really enjoy brining you the best in the Industry.
Much Love
Charlie AKA, Fannie Fleur XOXO
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