You’ve looked forward to your wedding day since you were a little girl playing dress-up and practicing your walk down the aisle. As the real thing approaches, there are many, many details involved in planning the perfect wedding day. With so much going on it is easy to overlook some important little parts that could wreck the whole thing. So, to help you stay on track and experience the perfect wedding, consider these ten common wedding mistakes to avoid.
1) Wedding overload. You’re engaged! I bet within the week you had bought your first wedding magazines and started planning your perfect wedding. Full speed ahead, you started jotting down thoughts and details, contacted your friends for advice and circled dates on your calendar. Your mom probably went into warp speed as well, wanting to help you with every detail!
But hold on a minute! Stop and enjoy the moment. Enjoy being engaged before you kick into action. You don’t want your fiancé to reconsider what he has gotten himself into and your friends will quickly tire of hearing every little detail about your upcoming wedding day. Pick a date far enough out so that you do not have to rush through the planning stages and pace yourself so you do not go into wedding overload and burn yourself out way before the event itself.
2) Guest List Drama. Unless you are made of money you will most likely not be inviting everyone you, your fiancé, your parents and your fiancé’s parents have ever known or ever will know to your wedding. Your budget will dictate the size of your guest list and unfortunately, you are bound to disappoint someone. Do your best to include those important to you and your fiancé. Parents, as a courtesy should have a say too, especially if they are helping fund the event. Be ready to negotiate but know that it is YOUR wedding.
Remember also to make sure that everyone knows who is invited. Every family has relatives that are not universally loved but do your best to avoid drama. If, for example, your stepmom’s ex-husband from her first marriage is a close personal friend of your aunt Betty and is on the invite list, make sure everyone involved knows about it. The last thing you want as you line up to walk down the aisle is a shouting match in the foyer!
3) Weather or not. When picking a venue for the ceremony or for the reception, consider the time of year and weather in your area. Sure, it may be blue skies and chirping birds on the day you get engaged but that may not be the case on your wedding day. Outside weddings are beautiful but have a backup plan just in case. An unexpected snow storm in June isn’t something you or your guests will want to experience. Even if the backup venue isn’t the perfect setting, it is better to have something to resort to if Mother Nature has other plans for your wedding day.
4) One More Round. After months of planning you don’t want to be in such a state that you cannot enjoy your wedding day. If your bachelorette or bachelor party is the night before or even if your rehearsal dinner includes free flowing alcohol, you will need to consider what you and your entire wedding party have ahead of you the next day. Hangovers do not for a special day make! You want everyone to feel their best and look their best in all of those pictures! Encourage everyone to drink responsibly, yourself included! You might also keep this in mind for the reception as well!
5) Postage Due. Wedding invitations come in all shapes and sizes. From multi layered elegant wedding invitations tied with satin ribbons to pocket wedding invitations stuffed with response cards, reception cards and more, the choices are exciting and can be overwhelming. Once you’ve selected the perfect wedding announcements you are ready to address, seal and drop them in the mail. But wait!
Let’s talk about the postage required. Square formats require additional postage as do those heavy envelopes filled with multiple cards and return envelopes. The last thing you want is to receive all of your invitations back with “Postage Due” stamped in red across your beautiful hand calligraphy addressed envelopes! Not only will you have to order new envelopes and address them all again, you will lose valuable time too! Avoid this major mistake by taking your invitations to the post office to be hand weighed and evaluated so you have just the right amount of postage on them before you drop them in the mailbox!
6) Hunger Strike. With everything that is going on all at once on your wedding day, this is not the time to go on a hunger strike! Remember to eat something before the festivities begin. Many a bride, groom or wedding party member has fainted at the altar simply because the events of the day were overwhelming and they forgot to eat! Eat a good breakfast and snack later so that there is something in your stomach. Chances are you will be too busy accepting congratulations and welcoming guests to find the time to chow down at the reception so plan accordingly and remind your fiancé and wedding party to do the same.
7) Dress to Impress. You have the perfect wedding gown and brand new shoes. You’ve had them since the month you were engaged and now you are ready to wear them in style. But, sadly, it has been months since you last tried your dress on and something has changed! Bigger or smaller, it doesn’t matter, it just doesn’t fit! Remember to try your dress on so that you have enough time should alterations be required. Take a small sewing kit with you just in case anyone needs a quick repair. You may also want to have a spare pair of shoes that are more comfortable for standing and dancing at the reception. And with all of the excitement surrounding the wedding you may have forgotten that the honeymoon is the very next day! Make sure you have packed your bags in advance!
8) Rings, what rings? Dress- check. Makeup-check. Hair- check. Flowers- check. Ready to walk down the aisle? Not so fast! Make sure someone has remembered the wedding rings. If you have a ring bearer you may not want to entrust him with the real things. Little boys love to swing those ring pillows around and you don’t want to be surprised when you get to that point in the ceremony and the rings are nowhere to be found. Just do a quick double check to make sure the appointed person has them…both of them, if you’re having a double ring ceremony.
9) No Thanks. Weddings are fun for most but there is a bit of effort, even on your guest’s part. They are expected to show up on time, dress nicely and behave themselves. The ceremony is the main event and the reception is the celebration that follows. Graciously accept your guest’s congratulations and speak to as many of them as you can. Do your best to separate yourself from those who would like to monopolize your time so that you can make the rounds, welcoming those who have come to your party. You are, after all, the hostess.
Wedding Favors are nice takeaways that show your appreciation for their presence but don’t forget their presents too. Send wedding thank you notes as soon as possible but no later than two months following the wedding. Even if you thanked them in person you should send a formal handwritten note of appreciation.
10) In the Zone. The biggest mistake any bride can make is to not take a moment to enjoy the day. With all of the planning finally coming together it is easy to get lost in the mayhem and forget that this is your wedding day. Tell yourself now to remember to step back and take in all of the sights, sounds, tastes and smells on your big day. This is a once in a lifetime experience and you don’t want to miss out on the nuances. Although you hope everything goes according to plans there is bound to be some sort of glitch although hopes are it will be minor. Don’t stress over the wedding accessories, accept that you are the center of everyone’s attention and relish the moment. And remember to include your new husband in the celebration as well!
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