9 Common Wedding Day Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them!)
When you’re planning your wedding, there is no doubt that you want it to be absolutely perfect. Your team of wedding vendors will always do everything they can (and a little bit more) to give you the best day possible but there are still a few wedding day mistakes that too many couples make and are out of the control of your vendor teams. The good news is that they’re all really easy to avoid as long as you know what to plan for.
1. Running out of time as you’re getting ready
With all the excitement and anticipation, it’s easy to lose track of time early on. Speak to your hair and makeup team about how much time they need and ask them to give you a detailed timeline of their plans. Often hair and makeup artists factor in additional time but it’s always worth knowing that beforehand.
2. Feeling a bit shaky
We tell all our brides how important it is to eat a meal that can sustain them on their wedding day. It doesn’t need to be fancy – some sandwiches or even just little snacks will make sure that you eat before the main event and ensure your energy and blood sugar levels stay appropriate. Not eating combined with the nerves and anticipation of the wedding day can lead to a bride or groom feeling shaky and lightheaded right before walking down the aisle.
3. Still organizing and planning on the big day
If you did not hire a wedding planner, it’s time to delegate responsibility to someone you trust. Countless couples who take on the responsibility to oversee the entire day of process don’t even enjoy their own wedding. Enough said on that one!
4. Not spending enough time with your partner
You would think that there is no one else you would spend time with on your wedding day then partner. Sadly, this isn't true. With all the hair and makeup, socializing with guests and photos with bridal parties, couples actually spend less than 40% of the day together. And that percentage is even lower when couples decide to forego the first look. When there is no first look, couples won't actually see each other until the ceremony which is typically in the later afternoon and more than half of the day is over.
Pro Tip: Doing a first look allows you and your partner to see each much earlier in the day and spend more time together on your wedding day. If you decide to forego the first look, think about stealing a little time together immediately after the ceremony or going for a short walk together while your guests grab a drink right after the speeches. A few minutes together to reconnect with each other will make all the difference.
5. Missing out on photos with friends and family
Your wedding might be the first and only time you have all your family and friends together in one place. This all needs to be captured so get prepped in advance. Don’t hesitate to ask your photography team to follow you around while mingling to capture any spontaneous group photos.
6. Sounds System Troubles
This one comes down to making sure your DJ or whomever your having set up the sound system has professional wedding experience. Asking them perform sound checks before guests arrive is always a good plan. And possibly asking for a microphone 101 tutorial during one of your consultations can be helpful. We’ve all been to those weddings where the sound system has really bad feedback, cuts in and out or just doesn’t work at all. There’s nothing more awkward than having 100 guests stare at you and sit in silence while they can’t hear what your officiant says or your vows to each other.
7. Forgetting your Vows
Save yourself from any anxiety or terrifying feelings by writing down/typing up your personal vows on small note cards or vow books. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotion of the ceremony and going blank when the pressure is on. Have your planner give them to the officiant in advance with clear direction on when (and if) he or she should pass along the cards to you and your partner. Remember, even the most seasoned public speakers can often be swept away by the emotion of the moment, leaving you speechless and searching for those vows you swore you had memorized. Even if you and your fiancé are the most cool, calm, and collected couple ever—don’t skip this step. After all, it’s best to have the cards and not need them, than to not have them and need them.
8. Forgetting to say “Thank You!”
A kind gesture appreciated by all your guests is a short speech by you and your partner addressing everyone present at the wedding. Your guests all came for you and they want to hear from you. And let the major players know much you appreciate them for helping you with your best day ever. Ensure that you don’t forget anyone by making a list of all the people you want to thank in advance and get someone else to check it! Bring a few copies of the speech with you and hand one to a responsible guest just in case your own copy goes missing.
9. Foregoing the Videographer
Photos are a must for most couples, but they only take you so far—videos let you hear your and your partner's voices as you say your vows and watch your friends tear up the dance floor. By hiring a professional videographer to document your wedding and craft your wedding film, you will find yourself immersed in the love story of your wedding day in a way that surpasses transcends photography and that only a wedding video could do for you.
10. (Free Bonus) Booking Guest Hotel Rooms Blocks Too Late
This is an easy wedding planning mistake to make for newly engaged couples. To-be-weds will leave the task of securing hotel room blocks for out-of-town wedding guests until the last minute. If you're marrying during a busy time and you don't look into hotel availability in advance, you can end up with no rooms for your guests so reserve as early as possible. Begin your research up to a year in advance, and make sure your block is booked at least by the eight-month mark—if not sooner. Include hotel information in your save-the-date cards, wedding website and invitations. (FYI, you're just setting them aside—your guests will put down their own credit cards when they call to book the rooms.)