Wedding planning is a big task, and couples approach it very differently. Many people also make mistakes during the planning process. While errors are natural and normal, any of these eight brutal mistakes could actually ruin your wedding.
1. Your Planning Is Lacklustre (or Non-Existent)
How can you make wedding planning easier to tackle?
Many people start with the little things first. This doesn’t end well, because you have to pick your venue before you can choose decorations. You have to know how many people are invited before you rent chairs and plan the menu.
A worse mistake is failing to plan at all. You’re having an outdoor wedding, but you didn’t think about what would happen if it rains. This is a big event, so you must think about contingencies.
2. You Refuse to Compromise
Contingency planning is necessary when you’re getting ready for a wedding. So is compromise. You may not want to move your wedding inside, but your guests would appreciate it if it’s pouring rain outdoors.
The same is true of almost every other aspect of your wedding. You may not want to play 1970s disco hits, but your older guests won’t hit the dancefloor otherwise. Your budget may also play a role here. You’ve been daydreaming of something extravagant, but you may need to scale things back.
3. You Sent Courtesy Invites
Your mother has been insisting you must invite your snobby cousin. Or your partner feels obligated to invite their one friend who tells inappropriate jokes. You don’t want to, but you send out these invitations as a “courtesy.”
Sending courtesy invites is like inviting disaster. Chances are high some of these people will indeed RSVP. If you have any courtesy invites on your list, strike them out now.
4. You Skimp on the Catering
Your budget is stretched, and you need to pare back. Food is an expensive item, so you begin trimming the menu. You also decide to skip the open bar.
You might want to reconsider this move. Your guests are likely going to be famished and unhappy. The open bar keeps everyone happy, and guests who are served more food are likely going to have a better time than those who leave hungry.
5. You Decide to Go It Alone
Who needs a wedding planner? Not you!
You probably do need a wedding planner or at least a helping hand from someone who has been in the business. They have expert advice for you. They know the venues, how much food you should serve, and probably where you can cut corners without any trouble at all.
6. You Didn’t Properly Review Your Venue
You can’t truly begin planning until you have the venue booked. Your venue dictates how many people you can invite, but keep in mind your guests don’t want to feel like sardines. If the venue holds 100 people, 100 people will likely feel a little tight.
7. You Refuse to Talk Money Matters
You want your wedding to be perfect and exactly as you envision it. You’ll worry about the costs after.
You’ll likely be in for a shock after the wedding, when the bills start coming due. Worse, you may run out of cash partway through and have to scramble to cut corners. Good planning right from the get-go will help you stay on track. As mentioned above, compromises might be required.
8. You Make It all about You
It’s your big day, and your guests are there to celebrate you and your partner. Why shouldn’t your wedding be all about you?
Your guests would like a little bit of consideration, especially when it comes to things like the music selection, location, and food. Think about how comfortable your guests will be, and make adjustments to keep them happy. After all, it’s not a party if only two people are having fun.
