10 Common Mistakes Wedding Planners See Brides Make — and How to Avoid Them

These expert wedding planners have seen it all, and they're here to help.

By: Jen Glantz

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Avoid These Wedding Planning Mishaps and Mistakes

It’s no secret that wedding planning can be a little bit glamorous and a little bit stressful at the very same time. In between cake tastings and wedding dress shopping are moments of decision making that feel so heavy and pressure-filled. No couple wants to make mistakes when they plan their wedding, but even the most well-thought-out wedding has something that goes wrong.

To help you cut out any major mistakes that might get in the way, follow the advice of these wedding planners on the popular mishaps they see couples make throughout their wedding adventures.

Trying to Make Everyone Else Happy

Even though you and your partner are planning a party to celebrate your ongoing love, it can start to feel like you’re throwing a party to please everyone on your guest list instead.

Ashley Padalecki, a wedding planner and owner of Marigold Events and Design says that too often, she notices couples working overtime to make other people happy.

"If a quick ceremony is what you want, do it! Don't let your mom pressure you into an hour-long religious service that doesn't represent you and your partner. I have seen many couples stress because they are trying to please two sets of parents, all the grandparents, and random members of the family," says Padalecki. "Couples truly need to put themselves first."

Buying a Dress Way Too Soon

Brides may be super eager and excited to find a wedding dress, and it might lead them to start the process too soon.

But, how soon is too soon? Nicole-Natassha Goulding, a wedding planner and founder of Chic by Nicole Weddings + Events, shares that brides often buy dresses before picking their venues or event locations, and that can be a mistake.

"The setting of your wedding will determine your attire — where a beach wedding may allow for something more casual along with going barefoot, a grand ballroom or mansion may be more suitable for a ballgown or a decked out dress. Choosing your venue first will ensure your outfit matches the vibe and logistical needs of your wedding day," says Goulding.

Black-Tie Outdoors in the Summer Isn’t Ideal

There are many perks to having an outdoor wedding in the summer, especially on a day when the weather is perfect. But Greg Jenkins, a planner at Bravo Productions, recommends staying wary of what can happen when you combine formal attire and the hot summer sun.

"Brides who plan black-tie weddings that take place outdoors in the summer should re-think the plan," says Jenkins. "Hot, humid conditions and formal attire for your guests can create a miserable situation before your guests arrive to celebrate the couple's occasion. If black-tie in the summer, it is best to have your occasion indoors under climate-controlled and comfortable conditions."

Assuming the DJ Will Take Care of the Lighting

When you’re working with your vendors, it can be easy to quickly read over the contracts they send you and think you fully understand what they will or won’t provide. But Marie Kubin, wedding planner and CEO of Rent My Wedding, says a common mistake is when couples assume the DJ will take care of all the lighting.

"Couples see wedding lighting on the DJ package, and assume that's all they need. The reality is that the DJ typically only brings enough lighting for the dance floor area, and will not bring enough lighting to cover the rest of the venue. To get that Pinterest-worthy look, you should ensure you have enough lighting for your entire reception venue," says Kubin.

Not Adding a Buffer in the Wedding Day Schedule

Most couples wish their wedding could last forever, or at least for more than a day, so it’s common to want to pack so much into an 8 or 12-hour day. Wedding planner Thomas Beaman often tells couples to make sure there are time buffers in the wedding day schedule. According to him, it’s a common mistake to not have any.

"By not including these extra 10 to 20-minute chunks of time, they are setting themselves up for a major delay (which causes a lot of stress). We recommend adding 10 to 20 minutes of buffer time into every part of your wedding day schedule," says Beaman.

Hiring Non-Wedding Professionals

The process of selecting vendors can take up a lot of time and be a bit stressful, since there’s a lot of pressure to pick the right people to help your wedding come together. Some couples will swap professional vendors out for services that their friends and family members can provide. Alan Katz, a wedding planner with SoCal Beach Weddings, says that hiring non professional vendors can be a mistake.

"A non-professional does not understand the dynamics of the day and can ruin it for everyone. The other vendors may suffer by having to babysit and do their own job training while also doing their own jobs," says Katz. "Professional vendors have often worked together in the past and know each other's vibe and can work seamlessly or if they haven’t they know their roles and do their jobs."

Ignoring the Budget

Setting a wedding budget is a must-do first step in planning a wedding, but sticking to that budget can often be the tricky part. Karen Norian, a wedding planner at Simply Eloped, says it can be easy to get lost in all of the details that make up a wedding day, but if you're not looking at the price tags, you're bound to blow your budget.

"The best way to avoid wedding debt is by making a financial plan that highlights each portion of a wedding day and a realistic number that you won't go over. Prioritize non-negotiable vendors first (such as a photographer, an officiant, and a florist), and allocate the biggest portion of your budget to the vendors that matter most to you," says Norian.

Too Many DIY Projects

Wedding decor is something that can take a lot of time, energy, and money to plan for. So, some couples will turn to DIY projects as a way of cutting costs along the way. Lauren Schaefer, a planner at The Get Together Events Co., says that even if DIY’ing wedding decor seems like a good idea, double check that it truly is.

"If you don’t like to DIY, if you've never DIY'd anything before in your life, don't start with your wedding. Oftentimes people think — oh I can do that myself! But do you want to? Do you have the time to? There are copious amounts of folks out there that will make things/decorate things for you," says Schaefer.

Not Having a Plan B for the Weather

Even though you can’t predict what the weather is going to be like on your wedding day, you can and should have a plan for weather that doesn’t go the way you hoped it would. Melanie Levin, a planner at LuckEleven Events, shares that if you’re having a wedding outdoors, you can never be too prepared.

"If your wedding is outside, you have to adjust for inclement weather. Weather preparedness means heaters at night, fans or umbrellas during the day, and a backup tent for rain," says Levin. "It's always a good idea to have a water station handy during the ceremony for guests to remain hydrated and stay cool on warm days."

Planning the Wedding Solo

Every couple’s dynamic is different when it comes to planning the wedding. Some couples split the responsibilities evenly and some don’t. Marielys Garcia Daniels, a planner at Elle Events, says that a lot of mistakes can happen when both partners aren’t engaged in the planning process.

"Oftentimes, one partner may take the initial lead in getting the wedding planning 'ball' rolling. While there is nothing wrong with that, what is important is to find time and space for both of your needs, desires, and strengths to be utilized in the process. Also, your wedding day should reflect your coupledom, not just one person's vision, so it is important for both of you to share your preferences and pull your weight from the beginning," says Garcia Daniels.