Planning a wedding is no easy feat. While each couple has their own style and reasons for doing what they do, the result can be a dream wedding or an unforgettable nightmare. There are a few missteps couples make when planning their big day. If you’re in the midst of this process and feel overwhelmed by all that needs to be done before you say ‘I do,’ keep reading for some helpful tips on avoiding common mistakes couples make when planning their wedding.
1. Not Setting The Date Before You Start Planning
It’s essential to set a date as soon as you can. This will help you keep your planning on track, and it will enable you to plan around other significant events in your life.
Setting the date before you start planning will also help with estimates and budgets. If your date is too flexible, many things can go wrong, like not having enough money or time to make everything happen. By setting the date first, everything else falls into place more easily because there’s less room for error!
2. Choosing A Wedding Party That Doesn’t Reflect Your Values
When choosing a wedding party, it’s important to choose people who reflect your values and your spouse’s. Remember, the bridesmaids and groomsmen are there to support the bride and groom. It’s not to say you can’t have different wedding party members. But some things, whether political, religious, relational, or otherwise, can cause conflict or offense. (If someone has an issue with your choice for the maid of honor, they shouldn’t be a part of the party.)
3. Creating A Timeline That Doesn’t Allow For Delays
To create a timeline that allows for delays, start with your wedding date and then plan backward. That way, you can see if there are any gaps or holes in your plans that might allow for unexpected delays. Some delays could be caused by weather changes, flight delays, or traffic issues.
4. Not Establishing Priorities up front
It’s important to establish your priorities early on. You need to know what your dream wedding looks like and then figure out the budget you can afford.
5. Not Asking For Help
Invite your friends and family to help plan your wedding.
Your wedding is not the time to be modest and keep everything under wraps. It’s better to ask for help when you need it because the more people involved, the less stressful things will be. However, be sure to have a designated person, usually your wedding planner, in charge of making decisions when there are disagreements or problems.
Something Else To Consider
If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by all the decisions you have to make, don’t worry—you’re not alone. As a wedding planner, I see it all the time. Remember that your invitations are only a small part of the overall budget, so don’t spend too much on them. Instead of going overboard with elaborate designs and expensive fonts, choose something simple and elegant that matches your theme or style. It’s better to spend more on things like flowers or music than on something that your invitees will more than likely throw away. Tip: You could also do digital invitations to save on paper and printing.
Takeaway:
Well, there you have it. Take a deep breath, relax, and know that careful planning and consideration can alleviate any stress or worry. No matter how much money you spend or how many people attend your big day, what matters most is cherishing and enjoying your wedding day.
Sealed with a Covenant
Kree Evans, Principal Wedding Planner
“Let God write your love story, leave the planning to me.”