Wedding Planning Mistakes
Womp Womp
In the years I’ve been a wedding planner, I’ve seen a mistake or two. While we catch most things before they happen, sometimes the smoke signal just doesn’t get set off in time…or it does and they don’t listen. So here are some oopsies that you can avoid:
Not Consulting With a Wedding Planner From Day 1
You could avoid most if not all these things when you hire a professional, US!
Inviting More People Than the Venue Holds
It’s tempting to invite everyone from your kindergarten BFF to that one coworker you bonded with over a broken printer. But unless your venue is the Great Hall of Hogwarts, don’t do it.
Pro tip: Headcounts matter. Otherwise, Aunt Tania might end up eating her chicken marsala in the coat closet. Create your guest list, clean it up, AND THEN find a venue that fits.
And while we’re at it, don’t let others [cough* parents*] decide the guest list.
DIY to Save Money
Ah, the siren song of DIY. Just you, a glue gun, and 300 mini mason jars. What could go wrong?
Spoiler: Everything. Hot glue burns are real, people. And by the time you’ve spent $700 on “budget” craft supplies, you could’ve hired a pro and had a nap. DIY means not only are you making your decor yourself, someone is bringing it to the venue, setting it up, and breaking it down. Save the headaches and hire a pro.
Blowing Your Budget
Listen, we love a dramatic entrance. But if your “must-have” list includes live doves, a donut wall, and a llama named Lorenzo in formalwear, your bank account might stage a protest.
Truth bomb: Wedding budgets don’t stretch like yoga pants. Set a realistic number and prioritize. (Hint: guests remember the food, the vibe, and the open bar—not whether your signature cocktail had edible glitter.)
Bonus tip: Leave room in the budget for unexpected expenses—like those 12 extra chairs you swear you already ordered, stamps, vendor meals etc
Winging the Timeline
“Let’s just go with the flow!” is a beautiful mantra for yoga, not your wedding day.
Why it matters: Without a timeline, things get chaotic fast. The DJ might start your first dance while you're still in the bathroom. Plan it out – or at least delegate it to someone who owns a clipboard and means business.
Hiring Your Friend as a Vendor
“I know a guy” is not a vendor strategy. Your cousin’s boyfriend’s roommate may be a sick DJ, but does he also have backup equipment, insurance, and a contract?
Remember: You need vendors who show up on time, not ones who show up with a hangover and an aux cord.
Skipping the Weather Backup Plan
Nothing says “I do” like… torrential rain and a soggy unity candle.
Outdoor wedding? Great! But please, for the love of your updo, have a plan B. Preferably one with a roof.
Micromanaging Everything
You’ve hired professionals. Let them do their thing. No need to give the caterer a 12-slide PowerPoint on how you want your croutons arranged.
Trust the process and remember, your sanity is just as important as the signature cocktails.
Forgetting to Feed Yourself
You’d be surprised how many couples don’t eat on their wedding day. Between the photos, mingling, and doing the Cupid Shuffle for the third time, you might forget to grab a plate.
Solution: Assign someone to hand you snacks. Preferably someone aggressive. Like a maid of honor with cheese cubes in her clutch.
Trying to Please Everyone
Newsflash: someone will be offended no matter what you do. Uncle Bob didn’t like the chicken? Too bad. It’s your day. Not the United Nations summit on buffet diplomacy.
Underestimating Setup Time
“Oh, we’ll just set up in the morning! How long can it take?”
Reality check: Unless you have a team of caffeinated elves, setup takes longer than you think. Budget time wisely or risk assembling centerpieces in your wedding dress.
Forgetting What It’s All About
You’re marrying your favorite human! That’s the whole point. Not whether the napkins match the bridesmaids’ shoes or if your cake was three tiers instead of four.
Take a deep breath. Laugh off the hiccups. And if all else fails, there’s always cake.
Not vetting your vendors before signing a contract
Not all vendors are created equal. Research and ask questions.
Not communicating when there are problems
If you don’t like something, say it. We’ll be happy to make changes, but your vendors can’t read your mind
Ordering your wedding dress too late
Wedding dresses can take 8-9 months to arrive and don’t forget time for your alterations. Save yourself from wearing your prom dress from 2010 and order your dress a year in advance.
Not doing hair and makeup trial
You don’t want to realize you hate your hair and/or makeup 3 hours before you walk down the aisle.
Final Thoughts
Weddings are messy, magical, and occasionally migraine-inducing. But they’re also full of unforgettable moments, surprise dance moves, and the kind of love that makes all the chaos worth it.
Just don’t forget the snacks. Seriously.
Want help planning a wedding without losing your mind (or your sense of humor)? Let’s work together, we’ve seen it all, and we come armed with emergency safety pins and dad-joke-level wisdom.
