10 Wedding Planning Mistakes To Avoid

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Isn't that the phrase we've all annoyingly been quoted before? Well, we're sorry to say, but it also goes for wedding planning! You're bound to make mistakes along the way; everyone does; we are human, after all! But you can easily keep those mini-dramas to a minimum by reading up on the most common wedding planning mistakes to avoid. Once you're in the know and are aware of any possible trip hazards you might come across during the planning process, you're already off to a great start! OK, let's jump straight in!

1. Letting others dictate your guest list

One of the biggest wedding planning mistakes is losing control of your guest list. Defining your guest list may be a little tricky, especially if you're gifted with a large family. But if you're unsure where to start, sit down with your partner and list everyone you absolutely couldn't face being without on the big day. Once you've both done that, you then need to decide if everyone gets to bring a plus one. If you've been given money from either side of the family, it's polite to run your guest list past them; however, you should have the final say. You want to be completely at ease during the day and not feel uncomfortable around anyone who's been invited, whether you don't know them very well or simply don't get on.

2. Making plans before setting a wedding budget

It's very easy to get carried away with wedding planning as soon as you've got engaged. However, enjoy this engagement period and don't rush into any decisions until you've got your ducks in a row, one of which is the wedding budget. Whether you're a lover of spreadsheets or not, this is the time to start one. You'll be very grateful for it come mid-wedding planning.

Firstly, figure out your budget. To do this, you'll need to consider what you already have, how much might be generously donated to the event, and, if you need to save money, how much you need to put away to reach your goal in the time you have available. Once you've set your budget, we would always recommend adding an extra 10% contingency for those pesky hidden costs such as wedding insurance, supplier travel costs, and taxes that you might not have budgeted for.

3. Not having an unplugged ceremony

If hiring a professional wedding photographer, you should seriously consider having an unplugged ceremony. Your guests will thank you, as they'll be completely present during the ceremony and not stuck behind a phone or camera, your wedding won't be out there to the world before you're ready to share it, and your photographer will be happy they won't be competing with anyone to get the best shot. If you do decide to go unplugged, make sure you communicate your choice clearly. Everyone will respect your wishes, but only if they get the memo!

4. Scrimping on the wrong things

This might not be something you're not too worried about. Still, it's really important to remember that you're hosting your wedding, so you're essentially responsible for everyone having a good time. But don't let this worry you; just remember not to let anyone go hungry or thirsty; it really is as simple as that. Of course, you also want some good entertainment, but if your guests are hungry or there's a huge wait at the bar, people may get a little disgruntled. Basically, don't skimp on catering, the bar, or the entertainment, and everyone will be happy!

5. Getting a wandering eye on Pinterest after making decisions

Social media is great for gaining wedding inspiration, but don't get too swamped by it all. Go ahead and create a mood board to help get some initial ideas, but once you're happy with your wedding style or theme, try to limit going back online and changing things because you've seen something that's caught your eye. Time can slip away on social media and turn into endless hours of mindlessly scrolling (and comparing yourself to everyone else), so once you've defined what you like, don't second-guess yourself and simply step away!

6. Assuming DIY is always a cheaper option

There's nothing like a personal touch when it comes to your wedding day, and if you want to get a little bit crafty with some of your wedding venue decor, it will no doubt go down well with wedding party members. DIY projects can be a really nice task to embark upon with your partner and close friends or family; however, if DIY isn't really your bag, don't force it. If money is the only reason you want to do DIY projects for your wedding, take a little more time to shop around for cheaper alternatives. We're not saying DIY can't be cheaper, but you shouldn't assume that every project will be cost-saving simply because you'll be making it yourself.

7. Choosing vendors solely based on price

Price alone should never be the deciding factor when it comes to securing your wedding vendors. Price will play a part, of course, but making a booking purely based on price could be a big mistake. If you've found your perfect team, but one of them is out of budget, consider cutting costs in a different area that's less important to both of you. It's not worth settling if you're not 100% happy; this is your dream wedding, which you will only be doing once, and we all know that cheaper definitely doesn't equate to better!

8. Including traditions just for the sake of tradition

Another common wedding planning mistake is thinking you need to follow traditions because you think you should. Wedding traditions have been passed down for many years and can be a lovely, heartfelt addition to proceedings, but that's not to say you and your partner need to adopt each and every one if it doesn't resonate with you. If a white wedding dress just isn't you, don't feel like you should stick to tradition. Just follow the ones you feel are right for you, and no one will pass judgment if you break tradition in a particular area. Doing things your way will make your day more unique, authentic, and special to you.

9. Not feeding your vendors

Your chosen vendors are the key to executing your big day exactly as you have planned. They are the nuts and bolts of the wedding day, so look after them and show your appreciation! The simplest way to do this is to keep them fed and watered - a wedding can be a long and tiring day, after all! Include them in the total number of heads to feed, and make sure you've let them know they will get fed during the day (no one likes a hangry wedding planner!). Just don't forget to check for any food intolerances, just as you have with guests beforehand.

10. Skipping a wedding website

If you think you can manage without a wedding website, think again! You can actually start creating your website really early in the planning process. If you choose Say I do, utilising our personalised wedding planning checklist to keep you on track during the planning process will be a godsend! Why not consider going digital with your whole stationery suite and sending your save-the-date cards, invitations, and thank you notes all digitally? Your wedding website will be a digital hub where your wedding guest list can come and find out all they need to know ahead of your wedding, drum up excitement, and let them know of any changes along the way with the click of a button. Sounds pretty perfect, hey!