Psst, want to know a secret? No one really knows what they’re doing when they start planning a wedding. From fluffing up the engagement announcement and inviting too many people, to letting trends take over and rushing to book wedding suppliers – there are so many common wedding planning mistakes to be made.
But as you’re in the thick of these, remember not to let these common wedding mistakes derail your bridal bliss. From the planning process to the actual day of, keep these pitfalls in mind and know what to do to avoid these extra stresses.
Making Plans Before Setting a Budget
Picking a dress or wedding venue prior to establishing financial parameters is a lot like shopping without glancing at price tags and then strolling up to check out with your fingers crossed. You risk falling for a gown or location that breaks your heart when you realize that to afford it, you’d have to cut your guest list in half—or cancel the honeymoon. The three initial hurdles are budget, guest list, and venue, and they should be tackled in that order. Your budget defines your options and drives your decisions. While drawing one up, include charges for overtime, gratuities, and car services from the start. By doing so, you avoid throwing money at things you weren’t prepared for.
Not Researching Suppliers
In all the excitement, many couples don’t think through how venues fit into their wedding plans. For example, your silver and pale pink color scheme may clash with the decor of the historic estate venue you want to book. Or, you want to hire a specific caterer, but the venue features an in-house catering team. Perhaps the venue feels cramped with 150 guests and you’re planning a wedding for 300.
Unnecessary Stress
Planning a wedding can definitely be hard work, and with so much to think about it becomes all too easy to feel stressed out over the tiniest details. Whether it’s your dream supplier not being available, last-minute guest cancellations, or napkins arriving in the wrong shades – there will always be minor hiccups to deal with along the way. But the important thing here is your attitude and mindset!
You Rule Out a Wedding Planner Altogether
Hiring a wedding planner is a decision you won’t regret. A lot of couples are afraid to take this step, but having a planner on board from day one will make the whole process easier and much less stressful. And after all, this should be a fun time in your lives together! It shouldn’t be spent worrying or burning yourselves out.
Letting Other People’s Opinions Carry Too Much Weight
Unsolicited opinions seem to pop up tenfold while wedding planning, and it’s usually from close family. And that can make it super awkward. I promise it’s better to talk with parents, grandparents, siblings and in-laws ahead of time to nip things in the bud. And remember: It’s your day. If you don’t want to wear the same wedding dress that your mom and grandmother wore, that’s fine. If you don’t want to have a traditional religious ceremony, that’s fine, too. I’m not saying you should totally steamroll your family. But it’s important to stick up for yourself and not try to please others. The final say on all wedding plans should be you and your spouse-to-be.
Including Traditions Just for the Sake of Tradition
There are so many wedding traditions that have been passed down through the years, but that doesn’t mean you need to include every single one on your wedding day. Some traditions, such as waiting until the ceremony to see each other or tossing a bouquet to all the single ladies, might not resonate with you and your fiance — and that’s perfectly okay! What’s important to another couple might not be important to you, and you shouldn’t do things on your wedding day that aren’t an authentic representation of your relationship. If you’ve never considered the possibility of breaking from tradition, here are 5 wedding traditions you might want to rethink and what to do instead!
Ignoring Hidden Costs
This is so easily done, so don’t beat yourself up about it – but ignoring hidden costs and putting them to one side or not adding them to the official budget can really see your spending rise way above what you initially set out. Suppliers need feeding, your RSVPs need postage stamps and let’s not forget the all-important wedding insurance.
