Everyone knows that planning a wedding is a big task, and it isn’t often that couples plan a wedding without having a few mishaps happen. Sometimes they’re big and sometimes they’re small, but mistakes and errors do happen. To learn from and avoid the same errors that other couples have made, here are some common wedding mistakes that can happen when couples are planning.
#1. Planning Before Budgeting
Making plans before knowing your budget is probably the biggest wedding mistake a couple can make when planning. No one wants to start their new life in debt, so it’s a great idea to get a handle on what you or your parents are going to spend on your wedding before you start planning what venue, food, music, décor, and other things you want to have. Besides, you don’t want to spend too much on one part of your wedding and not have enough money for something else. Keep things simple and create a budget before you start making plans.
#2. Not Having A Weather Plan
The outdoors will always be a popular wedding ceremony setting, even though the outdoors do present the opportunity for rain, wind, and too much heat. Even if your wedding is on a patio of your favorite restaurant or your reception venue, you should make sure that you have a backup plan in case this happens. Some of the biggest wedding mistakes that are often made is when couples literally make no plan B for rough weather, and when they don’t consider their guests’ comfort. No couple wants themselves or their guests sweating uncomfortably because of the intense sun and no shade. Work with your venue and your planner to make sure that you have a plan, or simply host your ceremony at the same indoor venue as your reception.
#3. Too Much Party
Weddings are a great time and everyone loves a good party, but a party that goes too long can turn a memorable event into a party that never ends. Research shows that most people are good with a party that lasts around five hours. A five-hour window gives you enough time for any glitches, transitions from ceremony to reception, and lots of time for fun and memories. For a guaranteed good time, keep your party at the perfect length.
#4. Too Little Information
When you’re providing information to vendors and guests, it’s better to err on the side of too much information rather than not enough. Send plenty of information in your invitations so that your guests know exactly where they are going and how to get there. Google Maps and even Waze can be faulty on directions and locations, so don’t let your guests rely on them to find your wedding location. The same advice goes for your vendors. Make sure that they know exactly where they are going and where things should be delivered so that your cake, flowers, and photographers arrive where they need to be and on time.
#5. Contracts That Lack Detail
When you’re working with vendors, the best policy is to make sure that the contracts they provide you have as much detail as possible. It’s in your best interest to make sure that all the important details of scheduling, locations, overtime fees, quantities, cancelations, expectations, and other information are noted specifically in the contracts. This will ensure that you get exactly what you want, when you want it. If you don’t specify with vendors and put these details in your contracts, you have no way to correct the problem or get your money back if something goes wrong. Not having thorough contracts is a huge wedding mistake that happens often and costs couples money.
#6. Trying To Please Everyone
This is an impossible task, so don’t even try. Your wedding day is sure to have some stress, but don’t make it more stressful by trying to plan an event that makes everyone happy. When you’re planning your wedding, start by making you, your fiancé, and your families happy. Only then do what you can to accommodate others’ needs. Go for easy wins like vegan meal offerings and a variety of desserts, including gluten-free options. Remember that the goal of your wedding is to have a great, memorable day. Focus on that—not on what might make everyone happy.
#7. Sweating The Small Stuff
Things you should sweat during your wedding? A major medical emergency. A vendor that doesn’t show up. A dress catastrophe. These things are probably worth getting worked up about. But things you shouldn’t worry about? Little kids on the dance floor during your first dance, flowers not set just so, bows that come untied. Your wedding isn’t going to be completely perfect, and there’s sure to be something that isn’t exactly the way you want it to be. If you can let the little things go, and try not to stress about things that aren’t major, you’ll enjoy your day so much more.
Wedding planning is a lot of work, and it comes with problems, just like planning any other event. If you avoid the wedding mistakes that other couples make, you can minimize the chance for stressful moments hurting your special day. The professionals at Olivia Restaurant can help you plan your dream wedding and work out each issue to make sure you don’t make these top mistakes. We also offer stunning wedding spaces for any size wedding reception. Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help make your wedding day amazing!