How to Avoid Common Wedding Planning Mistakes

We all make mistakes. After all, no one is perfect – including you. So when it comes time to plan for your big day, it’s likely that you may make a few missteps along the way. Wedding planning is a complicated, month-long affair, and since most couples-to-be aren’t professional event planners, the experience can often become overwhelming.

While many of these mistakes are common, that doesn’t mean that they are unavoidable. With foresight and a few tips from the experts, couples can easily avoid many of the pitfalls of wedding planning. 

To help you along on your wedding planning journey, here are a few of the most common mistakes that couples make when planning for their wedding – and how to avoid them.

Not Planning for the Weather

No one wants rain on their wedding day, but if you are planning for an outdoor celebration, this is something you absolutely must have a plan for. Check in with your venue before you book. Do they have a dedicated indoor space, such as a dining room, that will be available to you if the weather turns bad? 

If not, it’s best to rent a large, outdoor event tent and have it on stand-by if it looks like rain is on the way. It’s also a good idea to have things like umbrellas and rain ponchos on hand so that your guests don’t get soaked walking from place to place. 

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of a tent, it might be time to think about a back-up venue that won’t be affected by the state of the weather.

Losing Control of the Guest List

Most couples cherish the idea of sharing their special day with friends and family. But this common wedding planning mistake can lead to sharing with far more guests than you originally planned for. Additional guests can absolutely decimate a wedding budget, requiring extra food, drink, and venue space to accommodate them.

More importantly, however, the guests who are present when you tie the knot can often make or break the experience. Rather than feeling comfortable and joyous, inviting too many guests (or the wrong guests) can leave you anxious and stressed. 

Pressure from family members or close friends is a common thread among couples who find themselves with a guest list larger than they can handle. It’s important to be firm in your planning and only invite the people that you want to spend your day with. You should not have to feel guilty about leaving people out with whom you are not comfortable or close with.

Neglecting the Legal Side

If you’ve already set your budget, planned your guest list, picked out the perfect venue and ordered the wedding dress of your dreams, you might be tempted to think that that hard part is over. But, is it? 

Don’t forget to have all of your legal paperwork in order before the big day arrives, or else you may not be legally married at the end of the day. Local laws and deadlines will vary, so it’s crucial to check with your local government office to make sure everything is in order. 

You will need to apply for a marriage license anywhere from a week to 90 days in advance. But once you’ve acquired your license, you will need to perform your nuptials before the license expires. The license will also need to be signed by the married couple, an officiant, and witnesses before it is submitted to the state. Arranging for your licensed officiant and witness well ahead of time is highly recommended.

Not Ordering Wedding Clothing Early

If you have ever ordered clothing online without trying it on first, you know that it can often be very hit-or-miss in terms of fit. It may also look nothing like you imagined it would, leaving you frustrated and disappointed.

Ordering your wedding attire is no different – you never know exactly how a piece of clothing is going to look or feel in person until you receive it. But if you’ve only just gotten your dress, and the wedding is three days from now, what are you going to do if there’s something about it that you don’t like?

Experts recommend having your wedding gown, bridesmaid’s dresses, and groomsmen attire ordered at least 9 months ahead of your wedding date. That way, there will be plenty of time for things like alterations.

If you are looking for a wide selection of bridesmaid and groomsmen attire, Bella Bridesmaids has one of the largest selections around, with dresses for any price point. You can also order fabric swatches ahead of time, so that you can experience the look and feel of the garment before you make your purchase.

Conclusion

Now that you are familiar with some of the most common wedding planning mistakes that couples make, you can save yourself the hassle and avoid them altogether! The best thing to remember is that planning well ahead of time is the number one way to avoid making mistakes. Even if you do stumble on the way, you will have ample time to pick yourself up again and keep going.