No matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, something somewhere might just go wrong. The trick is to keep a smile on your face and enjoy the moment rather than obsessing over details.
That being said, we definitely don’t want you to make any common wedding planning mistakes. That is why, we have compiled a list of things that you should and should not do when you are making arrangements for your wedding day. Here is the first part of our two-part series on “50 Common Wedding Planning Mistakes to Avoid”. If you are getting hitched or know someone who is, then read it because it will be your saving grace from some avoidable wedding mistakes.
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Planning a wedding without a budget is the first disaster you can begin with. How can you order things or plan it out when you don’t know how much you are willing to spend? So, before you jump out and say “we want this” or “we want that”, both the families should have a proper discussion on the budgets.
This one is for the brides-to-be. Many women, in order to get their dream wedding, completely ignore their better halves requests. These can at times lead to small fights and discords that might escalate to something bigger in the future. So ladies, allow your husbands-to-be to have a say in everything. After all, your man is getting married too.
Depending on your budget, you should come up with a realistic number of guests you can have at your wedding. There is no point planning for 100 guests and then inviting 150. There will be shortage of space, seating arrangements and food, and would end up causing a strain on your pockets.
Learn to prioritise and invite the people who matter to you the most. You can also invite a certain number of your distant acquaintances to different wedding functions, not all. So, instead of cutting the guest list short, you just smartly divide the list in this way.
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A venue may look absolutely stunning, but if it is inaccessible or difficult to locate, your guests will get lost. At times, most guests decide whether they can attend the wedding or not, based on the venue location.
So, either do not go for a remote, inaccessible location or have cars to pick up your guests from a certain point or provide them with a proper map to locate the place.
Check whether the venue has basic amenities like washrooms for guests, first aid kit and other things. You will be surprised, how many don’t have many basic amenities. This is especially for those who might be booking parks and community halls, instead of five-star hotels, lavish banquets or farmhouses.
If you feel any location is missing basic security and convenience amenities, either look for back up options or try to arrange for these from your end.
This one is for all the brides-to-be out there. You are not a superwoman! Learn to delegate tasks to your family or your close friends, or a wedding planner (if you have one). Handover some responsibilities to your sweet sisters and best friends.
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While it is essential that you delegate some tasks to people, you cannot expect them to do everything for you while you are getting your spa treatment. Strike a balance between the two.
Do not make the mistake of booking photographers or videographers based solely on how much they charge. If you are going for someone who is charging too less, they might end up compromising on the quality. While assuming that someone who is expensive will deliver the best, is also not the right way to go. Carefully look at their portfolio, discuss things with them and book them on the basis of their professional expertise.
Your cousin might be a great amateur photographer and your brother might have just completed a crash course in DJing, but that does not mean you do not hire professionals. Professionals know how to do their job well and are capable enough to handle all sort of on-the-job hassles too. So, just let your loved ones enjoy the wedding and you too stay stress-free by hiring professionals to take care of things.
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You must take into consideration the ideas of your loved ones, but the final decision should be yours. It is your day and you should enjoy every moment.
Ex’s, friends turned foes, problem relatives and anybody who can mess up your wedding should ideally not be invited. Unless you have someone to look after them, avoid having them around your special day as far as possible.
Your parents will obviously want the best for you and will definitely spend on your wedding, but you cannot expect them to fulfil all your whims and fancies. You and your partner are expected to shoulder at least half the expenses, too. Or, at least don’t overburden them with too many demands.
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Do not obsess whether all the napkins match the colour combination of your decor or whether the chair covers are made of hundred percent satin. These small details will drive you crazy and make you a bridezilla. What’s more? Stressing over small things might also wreak havoc on your looks and health. And, we are sure no bride wants that, right? Learn to relax and stay happy.
If a vendor has taken up too many weddings together, they may not be able give their 100 per cent to you. Whether it is your wedding planner or individual vendors (like, photographer, florist, makeup artist, etc.), make sure when it comes to your wedding, you have their individual attention as far as possible. Especially, during the peak wedding season, before hiring a vendor confirm with them how many weddings do they take up at a time and how much individual attention can they give to each one?
Wedding vendors have tons of experience behind them and that is the reason you hire them in the first place. So, do not try to interfere in the things they do best. Though it is good you discuss all your ideas with them and keep a watch on their execution, but interfering with each and every detail is not the best way to get the best out of them.
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If you are having an outdoor wedding, make plans for unexpected weather. If you are having a destination wedding, you should have someone to pick up your guests from the hotels. Basically, have backups for everything, so that you are not in for a nasty surprise later.
Many brides forget to give their photographers adequate time to click photographs. So, before the ceremony, ask your photographer to come to the venue and click your pictures. Then immediately after your wedding, ask him to click some shots with your husband. He will handle the rest of the shots on his own, but you need to make time for some special shots that will make the most stunning addition to your albums and your memories.
Many couples shy away from asking their vendors to give them discounts. But do not make this mistake. Ask and you will definitely get something in return. Especially, if you are getting married during an off-season, do not leave the opportunity to negotiate the prices and get the best deals for yourself.
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You definitely should not make ‘spur of the moment’ decisions, but you should also not take a month to give your nod for something. Who knows while you are busy thinking over which venue to book or which makeup artist to hire, someone else might have already booked them for the same date? So, do not take too much time to make decisions, and always try to stay in touch with your vendors if there is any delay happening from your side.
On the day before your wedding, you should be spending time with your family, getting beauty sleep and relaxing your nerves. This is not the time to rush around for dress fittings or last minute shopping. Keep this in mind. Prepare a schedule beforehand on what things need to be completed and by when to save yourself from the last minute hassles.
You need to not only arrange transportation for yourself, but also your close family members and some guests. You cannot expect all the guests who are staying with you at home to squeeze into your car and reach the venue. It is best to keep a car or two aside for your guests in case there is an emergency.
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Your GPS may tell you that you will reach in ten minutes, but what about the traffic ahead? Being the hosts, last thing you would want to do is arrive late, or cause a delay in the auspicious muhurat. It is best to leave at least an hour or two in advance for the venue. Especially for the brides they should plan their wedding day well, keeping their parlour appointments, pre-wedding rituals and travelling time in mind.
This one is especially for the bride too. Have a room ready at your wedding venue where you can keep your things, retouch your makeup and relax before the ceremony starts. In most Indian communities, bride enters the venue/mandap after the groom, so use that time to relax, eat something and retouch your makeup, etc.
Talking about food, many brides tend to feel hungry right before the wedding. It could be due to nervousness or stress. It can also be because they would not have eaten anything at all before the wedding, due to the many pre-wedding rituals and parlour appointments. Whatever it is, keep some snacks handy, but ensure that it does not spoil your makeup.
Many brides in the mad rush of their wedding day forget to drink water, thus dehydrating themselves. You wouldn’t want to get wed with a parched throat, would you? So take a deep breath and keep sipping on water.
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So, these were some major things you must keep in mind during your wedding planning and preparation and as well as during the wedding itself. If you stay away from the much avoidable disasters and mistakes, you will be able to enjoy your own wedding day in a much better way.