It’s no secret, planning a wedding can be stressful! With so many little details all needing to come together on one perfect day, it’s inevitable there will be a few headaches along the way. Budgets, vendors, guests, those finishing touches – there’s a great deal to organise. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by just how much needs to get done. But, don’t worry. Some wedding planning mistakes are easy to avoid. If you keep these seven things in mind, you’re well on your way to stress-free preparations.
7 wedding planning mistakes to avoid
Making plans before finalising the budget or guest list
We know. It’s hard to contain your excitement once that ring is on your finger. Your dream venue, the fairytale dress, cake tastings – you want to get started straight away. It’s natural for a couple to want to begin making all the fun decisions the moment they get engaged. But, hold your horses, there are a few crucial factors to finalise first. The two most important being the budget and guest list. Forgetting these is one of the biggest wedding planning mistakes a couple can make. Both will affect the choices you make down the line. Decide your budget first. With this guideline in place, you can prioritise where your spend goes and plan for any unexpected costs. Next, put together your guest list. Subsequent decisions, such as venue and catering depend on the final numbers.
Blowing the budget on one item
As much as you want to splurge your money on that drop-dead gorgeous designer wedding gown, don’t forget your budget. No couple wants to start their married life together drowning in debt. If something does end up costing more than expected, try to reduce expenses somewhere else to balance things out. Remember a beautiful wedding isn’t necessarily an expensive one.
Doing everything yourself
While you want your special day to be everything you ever dreamed, don’t make the mistake of taking on everything yourself. By the time you walk down the aisle, you’ll be burnt out. When it comes to planning, take on decisions as a couple – it’s his day too, after all. And, don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help. If you’ve taken on a few crafty projects to make your day unique (are you planning a DIY wedding?), distribute some tasks to willing helpers. But, don’t overdo the DIY. While it can help cut down the budget, there’s only so much you can take on. Instead of piling on the arts and crafts, dedicate your time to the projects closest to your heart.
Overloading your mom’s wedding day to-do list
She’s your rock, your confidant, your biggest supporter – it’s only natural for brides to turn to their moms when seeking help on their wedding day. Of course, your mom is more than willing to lend a hand, but don’t forget she also wants to celebrate the happy occasion. Try not to pile her to-do list with all the extra tasks. There’s sure to be more than enough competent pairs of hands floating around. Split the workload between a few of your trusted family and friends. After all, many hands make light work. With a group of people on top of the checklist, neither you nor your mom will have to run around frantically getting things ready.
Sweating the small stuff
This wedding planning mistake might be easier said than done. No matter how prepared you are, you can’t control everything. Maybe the table flowers aren’t as voluminous as you’d envisioned, or the colour of the menus is slightly off. Take a deep breath and let it go. In ten years time, you won’t remember these little details – you’ll look back and recall the joy you felt marrying your best friend.
Neglecting a Plan B for outdoor weddings
One thing you certainly can’t control is the weather. Whether you believe rain on your wedding day is good luck or not, getting wet is not ideal. If you’re considering an outdoor affair, neglecting a Plan B is the worst wedding planning mistake you can make. Merely holding fingers and hoping for the best won’t be much good if the rain gods are against you. While it may cost a little bit extra, it’s worth having a backup in place just in case the unthinkable happens. At least, with a tent on standby, you’ll have peace of mind.
Trying to please everyone
Does your great aunt hate the colour green? Perhaps your best friend would never choose to put candles on each table. Don’t lose sleep over other people’s opinions. Remember, it’s your big day – it’s all about you and your fiance. Sure, you want your friends and family to enjoy the day, but don’t spend too much time worrying about what other people will think of your decisions. As long as your guests are properly taken care of, there’s no need to stress if they like your colour theme or decor.
Now you know what wedding planning mistakes to avoid, it’s time to organise the day of your dreams. Start (after the budget and guest list, of course) with your fairytale venue – Collisheen Estate. View our packages.