Planning a wedding can be an exciting task for couples to tackle. It’s also a tall order, often taking months or even years. You want everything to go off without a hitch. An event of this magnitude involves considerable time, effort, and expertise. It’s unsurprising most people make some mistakes as plans progress.
What are the most common wedding planning mistakes?
Some of the most common errors include not setting a budget, failing to make rain plans, micromanaging, and planning a marathon-length party.
1. Not Setting a Budget First Causes Trouble Later
Before you do anything else, be sure you set a budget for your wedding. This is a common stumbling block for couples, and it’s fairly easy to see why.
Maybe the bride has been eyeing her perfect wedding dress forever and a day now. Or perhaps the two of you fell in love with a venue, and your wedding must take place there no matter what.
If you say yes to the dress or book the venue before you’ve determined how much you can afford to spend, you’ll likely find yourself in budgetary trouble rather quickly. What if your venue is too expensive or you’ve spent a large portion of the budget on the dress alone? You may need to cut corners to make up the deficit, which could cause additional frustrations.
It’s relatively easy to avoid this blunder. Set your budget before you do anything else, and then stick to it.
2. Some Couples Plan Outdoor Weddings but Don’t Make Rain Plans
Some people see rain at a wedding as good luck. Most people, however, consider rain a wedding disaster. This is especially true if you’ve planned an outdoor wedding or want to take your pictures outside. While a short sprinkle might not derail your day, a torrential downpour is going to leave you and your guests feeling less enthused about the big day.
Having a back-up plan in case of inclement weather is prudent. Even in the heat of summer, you never know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you. Predicting the weather a week in advance can be difficult, never mind when you’re planning months in advance. Here in Southern Ontario, mid-afternoon thunderstorms are quite common in the summer months.
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, be sure to ponder what might happen if the sky decides to open up and rain on your parade.
3. Some Couples Plan a Marathon-Long Party
Your wedding is one of the biggest events of your life, and you want to spend every second of it with your friends, family, and loved ones. The magic of the day can quickly wear thin, however, especially if your party runs too long.
Most experts recommend a reception be cut off at five hours. Otherwise, your guests might not leave the party laughing. People will get tired, hungry, and even somewhat grumpy as the night wears on. In some cases, shorter is better.
Consider the length of time between the ceremony, photographs, and meals as well. Keeping your guests entertained and fed is important, so look at the clock and plot out a schedule.
4. Micromanagers Beware
Scheduling can be a good thing, but trying to plan down to the second can be exhausting and impractical.
The people you’ve hired for your wedding are seasoned professionals. The caterer will have an excellent sense of when to offer up more drinks or when to switch from dinner to dessert. The DJ will pay careful attention to the crowd on the dancefloor and be able to read the mood. The photographer knows exactly when to hit the shutter to catch the right snaps.
Trust the professionals! After all, you’ve hired them to help with your big day and capture the most magical moments. By avoiding these common wedding planning mistakes, you can ensure your big day will be a big success.
