The most common mistakes when planning a wedding

1. Wedding planning is underestimated.

Many couples only think about the venue, the clothes with rings, food, music and photography at first. That doesn’t sound like much and manageable. In addition to the location, dress, rings, photographer, music and flowers, you usually also need a stylist for hair and make-up, often a celebrant, and a registry office appointment. There are also many things to decide, such as the food and drink selection and, with the RSVPs from the guests, the seating plan. You usually don’t think about the other details until later, such as the hotel recommendations and shuttle service, other entertainment and a wedding cake. Do you need decoration rentals, furniture rentals, catering, videographer, childcare? There are many decisions to be made, such as the schedule for the day, who comes to the wedding ceremony, who sits where, which songs etc.

Tip: If you have the budget, book an experienced wedding planner right from the start.

2. The wedding budget: At first, too little is set and later it is often exceeded.

You should be honest with yourself and always plan for a buffer. It helps to ask the parents or other family members in question to participate at an early stage. So you should only count on the money you have. A budget plan helps to keep an overview. If necessary, you can adjust the number of guests downwards or look for a cheaper venue. Or you can save up and get married a year later.

Tip: Talk about your priorities before planning and keep them in mind. You don’t have to do everything you see in social media.

3. Collecting addresses for the guest list is underestimated.

Nowadays, many guests are invited digitally, so you only need the email addresses or telephone numbers. If you would like to send a traditional invitation card by post, you have more work to do. It is always a good idea to collect addresses early on.

Tip: This list can also be used later to note down RSVPs and any allergies, vegan or vegetarian requests. It helps to note how old the children are if you would like to book childcare.

4. The invitation cards are sent out too late or the deadline for feedback is set incorrectly.

You will of course need feedback on how many guests are coming for your budget planning. But the location also needs a number of guests for the contract. If the number in the contract, which is usually signed in advance, is very different from the RSVPs from the guests, then go straight into a discussion with the venue or the caterer. If there are major deviations, the contract may have to be adjusted. You also need a number of guests for the flowers and decorations (how many tables are needed?) and for the table plan (who sits where?).

As soon as a date has been set, a save the date card can be sent out. As soon as you have a date and time with a venue, the invitation card can be sent directly. The deadline for RSVPs should be approx. 4 weeks at the end of the month so that the guests answer soon. If the deadline is in the distant future, many guests forget to answer.

Tip: Two weeks before the wedding, check all orders (e.g. food, drinks, flowers, rental furniture, hotel rooms, shuttle) to make sure that no guests have been dropped or added.

5. The couple does too much themselves.

Professional help saves stress and you always have a neutral opinion for your own considerations. In addition, professionals have good ideas that you might not have had when planning your first wedding alone and you won’t forget anything. If you don’t have the budget, you can ask a trusted person for help. There are also wedding planners who can only be booked on the wedding day so that family and friends don’t have to take on any tasks.

Tip: Don’t make the mistake of being stressed on your wedding day. Delegate all the tasks and enjoy the wedding day!

6. Guests such as witnesses and family are expected to do too much during the wedding planning.

Always bear in mind that most friends and family have their own lives with jobs and possibly children and cannot always be available. Formulate exactly what you expect from your bridesmaids and groomsmen and ask them if they want and can do it. Professionals can also help here, not everything has to be done alone.

Tip: Don’t be sad if your bridesmaids and groomsmen can’t do everything. It’s better to spread the tasks over different shoulders.

7. The couple dwells too long on unimportant details or trivialities.

The best examples are decorations in difficult colors such as pastel pink, turquoise or coral. If you can’t find the color you want in decorations, you can find good alternatives. For example, you can combine a lot with white or green (like the flowers). Not everything always has to be exactly the same color. A color spectrum in different light and dark tones is usually much more exciting.

Tip: Focus on the fact that it is your celebration of love and all the tiny details are not so important.

8. Wedding without a stylist.

A professional stylist for hair & make-up usually does your make-up much better than you can. Above all, it lasts all day, even after the tears of joy. Some also offer a half-day or full-day service so that you can be freshened up again before the photo shoot.

Tip: Make sure you do a trial styling beforehand to make sure it’s just the way you want it.

9. Savings are being made on the wrong things.

Never skimp on the photographer! If you like to eat, don’t skimp on food. If you would like to dance, then don’t skimp on the DJ or the band. It is always best to set priorities at the beginning and not to forget them.

Tip: Both partners can draw up their own list of priorities at the beginning and discuss them together. This make sure that wishes are taken into account right from the start.

10. Children are not included enough.

It helps to communicate clearly whether you want to have children at the wedding or not. It’s your party! If so, then it is always better to plan with childcare.

Tip: Childcare during the wedding ceremony helps to reduce the noise level. An early children’s meal before the adults’ wedding dinner delights both children and parents.

11. Decorations, set-up on the wedding day and dismantling are underestimated.

It is always best to have everything set up by professionals. Then you can be sure that everything is there and everything is set up weatherproof. There are no nasty surprises. Professionals also know in advance how long they need for set up and dismantling. If you do want to set up or decorate something yourself, test it at home to see how long it takes. And check in advance in which vehicles the items can be transported.

Tip: When dismantling, there are often gifts or rentals that have to be returned. There must be enough space in the vehicles. Perhaps the witnesses still have space in the car and can help.