9 Common Wedding Planning Mistakes
You might be making one already...
By Rebecca Shell | Posted 11/17/22
he ring is now on your finger and is as sparkly as ever. Now what?
Here at Weddings and Events By Vivian, we know planning a wedding is stressful.
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From choosing the venue to how many cousins on your mom’s side you’re going to invite, there are countless decisions to be made when preparing for the big day. With so many things to consider, there’s a lot of room for error and mistakes. To help you avoid some of those, we’ve compiled a list of common blunders many couples make during the planning process.
1. Making decisions before you set a budget
It happens all the time: a couple books a venue they have fallen in love with, eventually realizing they can't make it work with their budget (hello frustration!). Having the budget conversation at the very beginning of planning will save a lot of stress down the line. It won't be the most fun conversation you've ever had, but it's imperative! If you do end up going over budget on one thing, cut back on another element to make up for it.
2. No wet weather plan
No one is saying you can’t get married at the beach during hurricane season. But if you do, best to have a backup plan. Make sure there is an indoor option available close by or book the appropriate tents and equipment just in case. As much as you might trust the local weatherman, they can get it wrong, so err on the side of caution.
3. Inviting too many people
Everyone wants to take to the dance floor without fear of elbowing someone in the face. Packing your guests into a space too small creates difficulties, like cocktail hour and meal service. Ultimately, cramming hurts the guest experience. Venue space aside, you’ll want to greet everyone you’ve invited. Ensure your guest count leaves you with ample time to focus on celebrating with your partner rather than spending the whole night worrying about who you haven’t spoken to. The night is about you two anyway, right?
4. Buying your dress in a smaller size
You want to look and feel your best on your wedding, who doesn’t? But, don't make the mistake of ordering a dress a size too small in hopes you will reach that desired weight before the big day. You are adding unnecessary stress when you already have more than enough to stress about. Order a dress that makes you feel beautiful and comfortable in the body you have now and avoid a last-minute trip to the tailors. If you do end up losing weight, it is easier to make a dress smaller than it is to make one bigger.
5. Not doing a hair and makeup trial run
Everyone wants the Princess Diaries moment of looking in the mirror after a makeover and being surprised you could ever look so pretty, but this can easily go wrong without proper preparation. Meet with your hair and makeup team before the big day so you can decide on a look you know you’ll love, and bring reference photos with you! Also, work on a day-of plan with your hair and makeup team to ensure you have plenty of time to get ready
6. Assuming how many guest will RSVP "No"
Ever heard the stat you can expect at least 10 percent of your guests to RSVP “no” to your wedding? While this tends to be common, you can’t exactly trust it. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’ve now overbooked a space because not enough people declined your invite. Keep in mind, it is common for everyone at the venue to count toward maximum capacity, including servers, vendors, and venue staff.
7. Not maximizing your budget
There is no rule that says you can’t object repeat in your wedding; we aren’t all made of money, after all. Don't let anything go to waste! Save money and repurpose anything and everything you can. For example, florals are very easy to repurpose; use the bridesmaids' bouquets for reception table centerpieces, or aisle pieces from the ceremony to line the front of the band stage at the reception. You can also use your ceremony backdrop to line the dessert table. Get creative!
8. Picking the right vendors to fit your needs
Reading reviews is essential when choosing what vendors are right for you, but also think about what weddings you have been to in the past. Was there a band that had you “cutting a rug” all night long, or a catering company that made the best steak sliders you’d ever had? When it comes to this step, wedding planners are extremely useful. They will have professional connections that otherwise might be hard to find and hard to book. Signing up for wedding industry expos, relevant online forums, and joining Facebook groups are a also helpful ways to discover what vendors to hire.
9. Forgetting to enjoy it
This might be the most important one on our list. It is so easy to get swept up in the chaos of the day and to fixate on everything going according to plan. Don't lose sight of what the day is really about: the celebration of the union between you and your partner! Take a moment to step back and focus on what brought you here: the immense love you and your partner have for each other and the excitement you have to start your life together.