Common Wedding Planning Mistakes To Avoid

Planning a wedding can be tricky business; everybody has an opinion, there seems to be a MILLION things to do and there’s the nagging pressure of getting everything perfect for your big day! Combine all of these factors together and you have one big melting pot of stress, which means it can be hard to think straight and make clear, rational decisions. We get it, planning a wedding is a big deal but there are things you can do to make sure you get the wedding of your dreams. Firstly, take a deep breath. You’ve got this. Secondly, learn from the people who have walked this path before you! Consider the below mistakes that are commonly made by couples planning their wedding, and do your very best to avoid making these same errors with your own wedding planning.

1. Make major decisions before settling on a budget

Budget is a major consideration in any wedding planning, so it is critical that this is top of your to-do list. Booking or purchasing anything before you have a budget is super risky. What if you put down a deposit for flowers only to realise that they take up half of your overall budget? Or lock in a date with a venue that is well beyond what you can realistically afford? There are so many considerations in wedding planning – make sure you have enough money for everything!

2. Picking the wedding party too early

Having a long engagement? It might be best to pick your wedding party closer to the date of your wedding. Obviously, you need enough time to give everybody notice, find outfits and discuss their roles for the big day, but a lot can change in a month, let alone a couple of years! Avoid the awkwardness and stress of having to replace a bridal party member due to a falling out or simply having drifted apart, and decide on these important people later on in your wedding planning process.

3. Being too vague with your photographer

It can be easy to leave too much to your photographer, after all they are the expert! The problem with this relaxed approach is you run the risk of hating your wedding photos. How disappointed would you feel receiving a set of photos that you didn’t like or missed important shots with certain people? Pretty devastated, I imagine. Avoid this by providing clear direction to your photographer about what you like and what you don’t. Also, if there are key photos you want to get with different family members or friend groups, create a list and give it to your photographer before the day to ensure nobody gets missed.

4. Not having a clear theme

Some couples like a really obvious wedding theme, while others opt for something more subtle. Whichever you choose, make sure you are clear on what the theme of your wedding is to ensure all your aesthetic elements work well together. Without this clarity you risk over doing the design and having too much going on (which can look tacky), or simply having things completely clash (which looks disjointed). Formal bridal gown and stilettos on the beach? Modern, elegant venue with boho styling and cowboy boots for the bride? It just doesn’t work.

5. Trying to please everyone

Everybody you speak to will have an opinion on your wedding: when to have it, where to have it, the silhouette of your dress, the flavour of your cake, who should and shouldn’t be invited. You will never keep everybody happy and the truth is, you shouldn’t have to! Make decisions based on what you, as a couple, want for your wedding day. This is your special occasion and a time for you to think about what it is you really want out of your wedding, not what everybody else thinks you should want.