Look, I’ve been to enough weddings to know when things go sideways. And trust me, it happens more than you’d think. Just last month I watched a couple literally forget to book a venue until 8 weeks before their date. Eight weeks! They ended up getting married in someone’s backyard. Which was actually kinda nice, but still.
The thing is, wedding planning doesn’t have to be this complicated mess that makes you want to run off to Vegas. I was chatting with the team at Potters Reception Melbourne recently and they told me about some of the most common disasters they see couples walking into. Some of this stuff is so preventable it hurts.
So lets talk about the big mistakes that’ll have you stress-eating wedding cake samples at 2am.
1. Booking Everything Backwards
This is the big one. People pick their dress, book the photographer, order invitations… then realize they dont have a venue. Or a date that works with that venue.
Here’s what you actually need to do first:
- Set your budget (yeah I know, boring but crucial)
- Pick your date range
- Book your venue
- THEN do everything else
Why? Because everything revolves around where and when. Your photographer needs to know if they’re shooting in a garden or a ballroom. Your caterer needs to know what kitchen facilities exist. Even your dress choice might change based on whether you’re having an outdoor summer wedding or indoor winter one.
2. The Guest List Monster
Okay so you start with “just close family and friends.” Then your mom adds her book club. Your partner’s dad invites his golf buddies. Suddenly you’re at 300 people and your intimate garden party needs a tent the size of a circus.
Set your number early. Write it down. Show it to everyone involved. Then when Aunt Martha wants to bring her neighbor’s cousin, you can point to the paper and shrug. “Sorry, we hit our limit.”
Pro tip: Every guest costs money. Not just food – chairs, favors, bigger venue, more staff. That “just one more person” actually costs like $150-200 when you add it all up.
3. DIY-ing Yourself to Death
Pinterest is not your friend here. I mean it is, but also it isn’t.
Yes, you CAN make 200 hand-calligraphed place cards. You CAN create centerpieces from reclaimed wood and mason jars. You CAN bake 500 macarons for favors.
But should you?
The week before your wedding you should be getting massages and drinking wine with your friends. Not staying up til 4am hot-gluing ribbons onto things while crying. Calculate how many hours your DIY project will take. Then triple it. Still sound fun?
4. Forgetting About the Boring Stuff
Everyone remembers the dress and the flowers. But you know what ruins weddings? Forgetting about:
- Parking (where are 150 cars going?)
- Weather backup plans
- Timeline buffers (everything takes longer than you think)
- Vendor meals (yes, you need to feed them)
- Someone to actually run the timeline on the day
These unsexy details are what separate smooth weddings from chaos. One couple I know forgot to assign someone to bring the rings to the ceremony. The rings! They were sitting in a hotel room 20 minutes away.
5. Not Protecting Your Vision
This is the sneaky one. You start with a clear idea – maybe rustic garden party vibes. But then everyone has opinions. Your mom thinks you need chair covers. Your friend says colored napkins are “so last year.” The DJ suggests uplighting.
Suddenly your simple garden party looks like a disco exploded in a craft store.
Here’s the thing – its YOUR wedding. Yes, consider input. But if you wanted simple and elegant, don’t let it turn into Vegas meets Versailles. Create a mood board early. Share it with vendors. When someone suggests something off-brand, point to the board. “Does this fit with our vision?”
The Bottom Line
Wedding planning is stressful enough without making these avoidable mistakes. The couples who enjoy their planning process (yes, they exist) are the ones who:
- Start with the big decisions first
- Set boundaries early
- Know when to delegate or hire help
- Keep their vision clear
- Build in buffer time for everything
And honestly? At the end of the day, you’re marrying your person. Even if the flowers are wrong or uncle Bob gives a weird speech, you still end up married. That’s the whole point.
Just maybe book your venue more than 8 weeks out. Please.
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