Planning a wedding is a lot of work, did you know it takes the average couple over 500 hours to plan a wedding? Yikes, that is a lot of time! And it’s easy to overlook small details, which can turn into big disasters. When planning your wedding, there are several things you don’t want to forget to think about.

Photography: Ashley Carlascio @ashleycarlascio

1. Don’t underestimate the budget! 

It’s easy to think about things like your venue, dress and catering, but don’t forget the small things that factor in as well. Things like linens, stamps, envelopes, and even gratuity/tips, all factor into your budget. Make sure to set realistic expectations and have a way to keep track. You can even designate a certain credit card for all your expenses so it’s easier to keep track. An underestimated budget can cause a lot of financial stress and truthfully plays a factor in every decision you make for your big day.

2. Overdoing the DIY

While you might be crafty and want to save money, having too many DIY projects can become overwhelming. Don’t add any more unnecessary stress to your plate by wanting to create too many details or making a cake yourself. You simply will not have time as the day approaches to tackle things like baking, delivering bags, or assembling too many things. While adding a personal touch to your wedding is appreciated, there are some things that are better left to the professionals.

3. Not having a Plan B

You have been dreaming of your wedding day and have a perfect idea in your head on how it will go. Realistically, there will probably be some setbacks and it’s better to plan for the worst than have no plan at all. Have a plan in place, especially for weather, so you aren’t stressed out the day of.

4. Choosing the wrong venue

Maybe you went to a friend’s wedding at a certain venue and fell in love with it and now want to get married there yourself. While it’s great to have a venue idea, make sure you consider its capacity, accessibility and if it will create the right ambiance for the wedding you have in mind. Also make sure to do a walk through and go over any contracts to make sure there are no hidden fees and to be sure you know exactly what is included with the venue itself.

Photography: Zha Zha Photography

5. Overlooking the guest list

Make a list and check it twice, or maybe even a time or two after that. It’s easy to miss something the first couple times on your guest list, especially when selected meals are involved. Make sure to really crosscheck your guest list so you have an accurate count to give all your vendors. You don’t want the stress of having too much or too little for your guests to eat and not having enough seats for all who attend. It doesn’t hurt to have a second pair of eyes look at everything to catch something you may have missed.

6. Not setting a timeline and sticking to it

While everything won’t go exactly as planned, it’s important to have a timeline in place and then making sure your bridal party and vendors are also clued in on that timeline. A timeline makes sure the whole day goes seamlessly and there is a nice flow to the day. You don’t want your guests wondering what is happening next or having so much downtime that your guests feel antsy.

7. Lack of communication

What’s the saying? Communication is key.. That’s especially true for an event as big and as detailed as your wedding. Poor communication with your vendors can lead to misunderstandings and frustration. Be clear with your expectations and timelines so everyone is on the same page in order to have a stress free day. 

While planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, there are things you can do to ensure a stress free and fun day. If you are looking for less stress, consider hiring a wedding planner. At Pocketful of Plans, we have years of experience and focus on full planning service to help our couples from start to finish guiding them on creating their perfect wedding. We know how to handle any curve ball thrown our way to ensure your day is just as perfect as you imagined.