16 Apr WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN PLANNING YOUR WEDDING
WEDDING DAY DISASTERS: WHAT TO AVOID
A wedding is rarely a straightforward affair; in fact, the planning process can cause a ton of confusion, stress and chaos, and might cause some less efficient planners to lose their cool.
This doesn’t have to be you, however. When you are armed with the right research and knowledge to plan an amazing wedding, the process can be (relatively) smooth-sailing right to the finish line.
So what mistakes should you avoid in the wedding planning process, you ask? What are some of the pitfalls that many engaged couples fall into when trying to get everything squared away before the big day?
We’ve made a list of things to avoid when planning your wedding.
BEING TOO QUICK TO BOOK A VENUE
Many people don’t realize that when they book a venue, they’re signing up for much more than just the space.
The venue’s staff, customer service and accommodations are also part of the deal. When it’s time for you to find the perfect venue for your wedding, you must be discerning in your selection, and consider more than just how the space looks.
Do research on the staff, read reviews and have their accommodations memorized. When you know what you need before you begin your hunt, it’s more difficult to be blinded by a beautiful space that doesn’t have the staff or accommodations your wedding party demands.
UNDER-BOOKING YOUR TRANSPORTATION
When you have a bevy of out-of-town guests attending your wedding, it’s easy to forget that they will need transportation to get to and from their hotel to the rehearsal dinner and ceremony.
If your reception is at a separate location, that’s additional transportation that your out-of-towners will need. When going through the process of booking transportation for your big day, it’s easy to simply look at the size of your wedding party and book according to that number.
Unfortunately, booking adequate transportation requires a close and thorough examination of your wedding party. This might require a few phone calls and extra research, but when the big day arrives, and no one is left hailing a last-minute cab to the wedding venue, you’ll be thankful you took the extra time.
FORGOING THE “RSVP BY” DATE
Many engaged couples decide to forgo the “RSVP By” date on their invitations to keep the event casual and remove pressure from their attendees.
Unfortunately, by way of human nature, these couples often find themselves three weeks before the ceremony with no idea of how many guests they can expect or how much food they should request at their reception.
Make sure to include an “RSVP By” date on your wedding invitations so your guests know where and how to RSVP in plenty of time for you to prepare accordingly. We generally advise having your guests RSVP at least a month in advance.
NOT SETTING A HARD BUDGET
When it comes time to find venues, book transportation and find catering, not having a hard budget is among the most slippery of slopes.
Not only will you overspend quickly and with abandon, but you might find yourself without funds for other essentials like decorations or paying a DJ or band. Setting a hard budget at the offset of your planning process is vital to selecting options for your wedding that you can actually afford.
Know how much you can spend from the beginning, and it will be far easier to select catering, venues, transportation and the like accordingly.
It’s no secret that planning a wedding is a challenge. But with the right pieces of advice in mind, you can excel at both the planning process and the enjoyment and anticipation that comes with starting your new life.
photo credit: Valerie Reneé via photopin cc