Wedding Planning: 5 Mistakes to Avoid
Wedding planning is essential for those who want their big day to be one of the best memories of their life. There are many different planning factors that can play a role in ultimately making or breaking your wedding day. Here are a few mistakes that you’ll want to avoid as you prepare for your wedding.
Creating an Inaccurate Guest List
Your guest list is a major factor that’ll ultimately determine many other aspects of your wedding such as the venue, food, and overall cost of the event. With all of this dependent upon how many guests you plan to have, you must make establishing the amount of guests you want to have your main priority before you can truly plan and visualize your big day.
Creating and sending invitations is another process that’ll take time to plan. For example, sending out invites in staggered waves can help get a more accurate head count before the wedding day. A general rule of thumb is to expect about 17% of the invitees will not attend. However, this is greatly subject to change depending on your specific situation.
An accurate guest list will, in the end, make for easier cleanup, less wasted food and money, and less stress. So, be sure to devote some time and energy toward the accuracy of your guest list.
Developing an Incorrect Budget
With all of the various factors and vendors that go into planning a wedding, losing track of your budget is often a common mistake.
A crucial part of determining an accurate budget is knowing the number of vendors you plan to utilize for your dream wedding. Some of the most essential include: a band or dj, photographer, wedding planner, baker, makeup specialist, and a catering service. With all of these possible vendors who offer different price points, it may be hard to keep track of how much you’re spending as a whole. Consider using a wedding budget calculator to help you keep a close eye on your numerous expenses.
You must also consider your venue when determining your wedding budget. For example, many wedding venues offer some services that may also be offered by your vendors. It’s important to know everything your venue offers, so that you don’t end up paying two people to do the same job.
Paying all of these vendors and expenses can add up rather quickly. When determining your budget, you should also consider the use of different financing options to help cover your wedding costs. For example, if you already own a home, think about using a fixed rate home equity line of credit. This is beneficial because it offers lower interest rates than a credit card and provides you with the funds as you need them to help cover wedding expenses. If you have not yet purchased a home, create a wedding specific savings or checking account and contribute a set amount from each paycheck far in advance so when it comes time to pay vendors, you’ll have a chunk of change saved up.
Hiring Bad Entertainment
In order to keep your wedding fun and engaging, you must consider having some different forms of entertainment for your attendees. One commonly overlooked aspect of entertainment is the venue itself. A good venue can be very entertaining, as a natural outdoor venue can be a great place for attendees to sightsee and explore.
A crucial factor in the success of your event’s entertainment is having a band or DJ host. When you choose the musical entertainment for your reception, make sure you hire a professional who can offer a backup plan in case of equipment malfunction. The last thing you want at your wedding is someone playing music off of their iPhone speaker because the band lost power!
Another great way to keep your guests entertained is having a few lawn wedding games. Simple lawn games can help boost the appeal of your wedding in any environment. Not only do these games offer some extra fun for your guests, but they also can help further the overall aesthetic of your wedding.
Having No Alternate Weather Plan
Having a bad weather plan is a crucial element of planning that shouldn’t be overlooked. Since most weddings are planned months to years in advance, the weather is impossible to predict. To make a weather plan, think about both the best and worst possible scenarios; this way, you can account for the uncontrollable weather.
Rain and thunderstorms always have to be taken into consideration. To combat possible rain, consider the use of tents over areas where both people and electronics will be. In case of a thunderstorm, consider a more solid structure, such as a barn wedding venue, that will make you and your guests feel safe.
Too much heat can also be a problem, as no one wants to be directly in the hot sun for hours. Make sure there’s sufficient protection from the sun, as well as water stations strategically placed to keep everyone cool and hydrated.
Choosing the Wrong Vendors
Vendors are a key aspect to determining the quality and style of your wedding. You must take some time to research all of your vendors before signing contracts with them to determine whether or not they’re the best fit for your specific needs.
Make use of past client referrals in order to understand what previous customers have said about their service. You can compare and contrast your specific needs to these referrals in order to have a deeper understanding of how they’ll fit in at your wedding, and if you’ll get the exact service you paid for.
Vendors should also be professional, from their communication to the service they provide. For example, it’s important to hire a DJ with insurance, or a photographer whose style you’re familiar with. Make sure to also have a consultation ahead of time with each of your vendors, so they get a better understanding of what your vision looks like. Collaboration with your vendors is a great way to make each and every aspect of your wedding stand out as a success.