Planning a wedding is no small feat—there are many moving parts to consider. And while every bride wants her special day to be perfect, the reality is that it’s easy to make mistakes along the way. From budgeting issues to guest list woes, here are some of the common mistakes brides always make when planning their weddings and how you can avoid them. Read on for helpful advice and tips for a stress-free wedding planning experience!
Trying to Do It All Yourself
When it comes to wedding planning, it can be tempting to try and do everything yourself to save money. However, this is often a recipe for disaster. Not only is it incredibly stressful, but it can also lead to making some common mistakes that will eventually cost you more in the long run. Below are some common mistakes brides make when they try to do it all themselves:
- Not Hiring a Wedding Planner
The biggest mistake a bride can ever make is not hiring a professional wedding planner. Yes, you may be able to save some money by doing everything yourself, but trust me, it’s not worth the stress or the risk of making costly mistakes. A good wedding planner will be worth their gold weight and save you both time and money in the long run by helping you monitor, arrange, and keep track of all the details needed to make the wedding a spectacular one. They can also help you to find the best vendors for your needs and budget.
- Skimping on Your Budget
When you’re trying to do everything yourself, it’s obvious to fall into the trap of thinking you can skimp on your budget and still have a beautiful wedding. However, this is often not the case. In reality, cutting corners on your budget will likely result in you spending more in the long run as you try to fix any problems that may arise. Biting the bullet and investing in quality vendors from the start is better.
Not Delegating Tasks
Regarding wedding planning, another common mistake brides make is failing to delegate tasks. Wedding planning is a huge undertaking and doing everything yourself is impossible. Trying to take on too much will only lead to stress and burnout. Instead of trying to do everything yourself, assign tasks to your friends, family, and wedding planner. Splitting tasks will help you stay organized and sane during wedding planning. Ensure you communicate your vision for the wedding, so everyone knows what needs to be done. Then sit back and relax, knowing that you have a great team working with you to make your dream wedding come true.
Forgetting About the Little Things
It's easy to get tangled in the critical details of wedding planning and forget the little things. Here are some common mistakes brides make when it comes to the small stuff:
- Not considering all the costs:
When budgeting for your wedding, remember to factor in the cost of small items like postage, tips, and favors.
- Underestimating the importance of timing:
Little things like sending out your save-the-dates too late or not giving yourself enough time to get your dress altered can significantly impact your wedding day.
- Skipping the trial run:
Whether doing a test run of your hair and makeup or walking through your ceremony and reception site before the big day, taking the time to do a trial run will help ensure everything goes smoothly on your wedding day.
- Forgetting to pack essentials:
From your vows to your marriage license, there are a few things you'll need to remember to bring with you on your wedding day. Pack them in a safe place where you won't forget them.
Waiting Until the Last Minute
Brides are often guilty of waiting until the last minute to do important things on their wedding to-do list. This can be a big mistake that can lead to a lot of problems on the big day. Here are some common mistakes brides make when they wait until the last minute:
- Not giving enough time to find the perfect dress -
Shopping for a wedding dress is not something that should be done at the last minute. It takes time to find the perfect dress, so start shopping early and give yourself a luxury of time to find the one you love.
- Not booking enough time for hair and makeup trials -
Another important thing that should not be left to the last minute is hair and makeup trials. You need to make sure you have enough time to try out different looks and find what works best for you before your big day.
- Waiting too long to book a photographer -
Another mistake many brides make is waiting until the last minute to book their photographer. This is one vendor you don't want to wait on, as good photographers can get booked up quickly. Start researching photographers early and book one as soon as you've found someone you like.
Not Taking Advantage of Technology
If you're not taking advantage of technology, you're missing out on many great resources that can help your wedding planning process. Some apps and websites can help you stay organized, find vendors, and get inspiration for your big day. There are also a ton of great resources for finding deals on everything from your wedding dress to your honeymoon. Therefore, you will definitely be missing out if you choose to ignore technology to help plan your wedding. Research on some of the great apps available to make your wedding planning process a breeze.
Not Keeping an Open-Mind
Sometimes, the dresses, styles, fabrics, and cuts we never expected, ended up being our favorite features. So, while buying a wedding gown, it is very important to remember to keep an open mind to dresses and styles that you would only sometimes pay attention to. The more open-minded you remain, the more likely you’ll be to find a gown that perfectly fits your wedding day vision.
Straying Outside your Budget
There will come a time during your bridal appointment when your shop associate will bring out a dress that's slightly outside of your budget. Do not give in to this temptation. Sure, it’s obvious to see a drop-dead spectacular gown and try it on, but trying on dresses you cannot afford is a significant risk. If you fall in love with a gown that’s outside your budget, you’ll either end up disappointed or overspending. Avoid disappointment and buyer’s guilt by staying within your budget and avoiding dresses exceeding your spending limit.
Not Staying Organized
Brides make the mistake of not staying organized. This can lead to a lot of stress and confusion and make the wedding day a total nightmare. There are a few key things that you need to do to stay organized:
- Create a wedding planning binder or folder.
This is where you will keep all your essential documents and information.
- Make sure to keep track of deadlines and appointments.
This includes booking vendor appointments, invitations and finalizing details with your wedding planner. Have a designated spot for storing items like your wedding dress, veil, shoes, etc. This will help you avoid losing or damaging any essential items. Stay organized on the wedding day by creating a timeline and schedule for yourself and your bridal party. This will ensure that everyone knows what needs to be done and when and will help prevent last-minute disasters.
By following these simple tips, you can avoid the chaos and stress of being disorganized. Stay calm, collected, and organized throughout the process, and your wedding day will be perfect.
Coming Unprepared
Some people dream of their wedding dresses from early childhood. They have Pinterest boards filled with plenty of preapproved wedding dresses that they’ve studied for years. For other brides, wedding dresses are new territory. If you’re the type of bride who has never imagined themselves in a classic white gown, follow this advice: come prepared before shopping for a wedding dress.
Final Thoughts
Wedding planning is a fascinating but also stressful time for brides. However, this article has highlighted some of the most common mistakes that brides make and provided a few tips on how to avoid them. No matter what type of wedding you plan on having, it's essential to take your time and carefully review all the details to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Remember these tips and enjoy every moment leading up to your special day.
