In human fibre, there are few things that inspire the pursuit of absolute perfection more than a wedding day. It’s completely understandable, given that it represents a (hopefully!) once-in-a-lifetime occasion, and of course, you want it to be a truly memorable experience for friends, family and – most importantly – you and your partner. Yet even with months (or years) of planning, little things do inevitably go differently to how we planned it on the day. It’s important to embrace these unexpected events as and when they happen, and even see the funny side if appropriate. But when it comes to planning, there are certain things which brides and grooms do which can end up either detracting from the occasion itself.
Here are seven of the most common pitfalls, which are best avoided…
No DJ
Wedding DJs can charge up to £2,000, which is a heck of a lot of money as part of a day that, in itself, will also cost you a small fortune. Yet as tempting as it may be cut this cost out of the equation, and instead, have a playlist, you should avoid doing so if you can. A laptop reeling off songs is prone to people barging in and flicking between songs they like, and ultimately causing disruption. Having a professional there to be in charge, and to go with the mood of the room is something you won’t regret.
Too much time between ceremony and reception
It’s natural to do photographs in between the wedding ceremony and the reception. Yet while the pictures themselves shouldn’t be rushed, you need to be careful to minimise the lag time as much as possible and ensure the guests are left occupied and entertained during that time. Perhaps even set up games or activities – whatever it takes to keep up the momentum of merriment.
You don’t say “hi” to everyone
It can be exhausting being the focus of attention for an entire day, especially when it is without relent. But remember that everyone is there to share in your joy, and some will have travelled from far and wide to do so. So, even if you’re feeling tired by the end of it, make sure to try and have a word with everyone on the day, and to let them know how much you appreciate them being there.
Not having a wedding planner
This can be a bit of a divisive issue, as some feel wedding planners genuinely aren’t necessary. Yet if you are to give them a miss, be sure you’re doing so for the right reasons, and that it isn’t going to add to the stress of the occasion. If you don’t feel like you have everything covered, it may well be worth finding these extra pennies for one in order to lighten the load.
Not leaving yourself enough time for hair and makeup
They say that getting ready is meant to be part of the fun. But with everything that needs to be done on the day, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the clock can start to work against you. And as soon as time pressure becomes a factor, it can all become stressful, rather than enjoyable. So be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for hair and makeup.
Financing things badly
Given that the average UK wedding costs in excess of £17,000, it’s fully understandable that not every couple will have the savings to cover this, and there is no shame in turning to credit to pay for a wedding and/or honeymoon. But the mistake so many couples make is to lump it all on a credit card. Given that the plastic typically results in interest in excess of 20 per cent, it could leave you under some financial pressure once all the festivities are complete. Personal loans tend to provide a better option, with rates for borrowing as low as they ever have been, thus making it an affordable way to finance your dream day.
Bogging down the photographer
Clearly, you need to have a set structure and plan for the photographer(s) in place. But over micro-managing can actually result in them missing out on the unplanned, spur-of-the-moment shots which so often capture the best memories of the day. So be sure to keep that air of naturalness about the photography – and the day as a whole.
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