Every couple wants their wedding to be one of the best days of their lives, and there’s a lot of planning and preparation that goes into making this happen. But weddings are not everyday affairs, and planning for a wedding is not something that most people do regularly.
That’s why wedding planners around the world see a pattern of common problems cropping up, many of which could easily be avoided.
To help you along your planning process, we’ve compiled a helpful list of 13 of the most common wedding planning mistakes to avoid:
Mistake #1: Bookings before budgets
We get it, setting the financial parameters is not the most fun or exciting part of wedding planning, but it is one of the most important places to start. Imagine finding your dream venue or that perfect wedding dress, only to find that there’s no way you could ever afford it. Your budget defines your available options and drives your decisions, so you’ll need to create a comprehensive budget and allocate funds to different aspects accordingly.
Mistake #2: Banking on many of your invitees not being able to make it
Finalising your guest list is also one of the first wedding planning tasks to tackle. It’s a common ‘rule-of-thumb’ that you can expect at least 10% of your guest list not to be able to make it, but this is by no means an exact science. Are you prepared for your entire guest list to attend your wedding? The only way to keep your budget and guest count manageable is to limit the number of people you invite.
Mistake #3: Sardine run
An overcrowded wedding inhibits the guest experience and service. If you have a lot of guests, find a venue that can comfortably accommodate them. Some wedding planners suggest asking a venue how many attendees can comfortably fit, then reducing that number by 10%.
Mistake #4: Not having a weather Plan B
If you plan on having an outdoor event, rain or inclement weather (which is always a possibility) can turn all your carefully-thought-out plans on their heads. Couples are often tempted to just hope for the best, but not having a back-up plan can be costly. Perhaps check the ‘typical’ weather trends for the area so that you don’t plan an outdoor wedding when it’s the most likely time of year for seasonal rain.
Mistake #5: Staying true to tradition against your wishes
It’s great to stick to the wedding traditions that appeal to you, but you should never feel obliged to just go along with a checklist of what you think you’re supposed to do. Rather, try to find a balance of both family and cultural traditions and your own personality and style.
Mistake #6: Keeping guests guessing
Remember that your guests aren’t as familiar with your wedding plans and setup as you are, so be sure to give them adequate information before the event – times, locations, directions, dress code, parking information, the sequence of events and any other important details. If it’s going to be an outdoor wedding, your guests would appreciate knowing that so that they can dress accordingly or bring something warm to wrap around them if it gets cold.
Mistake #7: Underestimating the wedding costs
When building your budget, remember to build in plenty of buffer for unexpected expenses. Using a purpose-built wedding venue like Harrington House can help you save on costs as these facilities come standard with many of the things you’ll need for the day, like chairs, tables, decor items, lighting, kitchen facilities, and more.
Mistake #8: Forgetting to time your photos
The time of your ceremony should be scheduled to get the best photos. Look at the time of year, figure out when the sun will be going down, and chat to your photographer about the ideal time for your ceremony to end. Work out the approximate length of your ceremony and set your start time from there (building in some buffer for the bride to be a little late, of course). Remember to factor in any travelling time to the place you’ll be taking your photographs.
Mistake #9: Micromanaging
Of course, it’s your wedding and you want it to go off as planned – but to a point. If you’re worried about each and every detail, you’re in for a stressful planning process and even a damper on your day. When it comes to your service providers, remember that they are seasoned professionals who have been to countless weddings and know how to make things happen. Plan well ahead of time so that you have less to worry about on your special day.
Mistake #10: Sweating the small stuff
You can’t control every detail of your wedding, and why would you want to? No matter how careful and meticulous your planning process has been, things can and do deviate from the detailed descriptions. At the end of the day, nobody else will notice but you. You are marrying the love of your life, so what else really matters?
Mistake #11: Forgoing the film
Yes, having a videographer is an additional expense, and you won’t be viewing the video every single day for the rest of your life. The day goes by in a flash (excuse the pun), and nothing compares to being able to relive your wedding in real time once it’s all over – on your wedding anniversaries to come, or to show your children one day.
Mistake #12: Letting everyone have their say
Heartfelt toasts can bring warmth and laughter to a reception, but there’s no need to make it an open-mic night. Having too many toasts and speeches can make a reception drag and lead to guests becoming bored. Limit the number and length of your speeches to keep the day fun and enjoyable for all.
Mistake #13: Trying to please everyone
We’ve left one of the most significant mistakes for last. Too often, couples get caught up in trying to please friends and family and making sure that they’re having fun, rather than focusing on what they want as a couple. Don’t worry too much about what others will think of your decisions. As long as your guests are fed and comfortable, everything else is about you!
At Harrington House, our experienced team and our service providers are on hand to help you with your wedding preparations. Get in touch to find out more about how we’ll help you plan and put on your perfect day: https://www.harringtonhouse.co.za/contact/
