You don’t know what you don’t know. Which can be really frustrating for most couples who have never planned a wedding before or who have that experience to draw on. But having seen hundreds of weddings ourselves, it is interesting that the mistakes that couples make when they plan their event can be pretty consistent. Most of the time they are the little things that get overlooked because they have no idea how it impacts everyone else back of house. So, here’s a pretty useful list of bugbears to think about in the lead up to the day.
A beautiful wedding in every way. Image Courtesy Kellee Walsh Photography
Overplanning.
This is probably the most frustrating thing we have to deal with. Frustrating because the simplest of details are often over-thought, over-planned, and over-stressed about. It pains us to see other people in planning agony. Don’t do it to yourself. Don’t be the type of person who details everything on the runsheet to the last minute. Details like “At 6.29PM the MC will welcome the Wedding Party” on the runsheet are silly because they simply wont happen down to the second like that. And don’t feel compelled to print a runsheet to display at your reception. They don’t care when things happen, they just want to have fun (and if they do care, they’ll ask a waiter). So don’t be concerned about it – let your venue host or your wedding planner, guide you through those details. And finally don’t write out ten different runsheets for each separate vendor. Your vendors usually need a clear snapshot of the day, and they don’t have time to cross reference dozens of different documents.
Underplanning.
Also very frustrating, but at the very least your venue will need to know what you need to eat and drink, where everybody (and everything) needs to go, and how many people are coming. If you have a specific vision on your decor, tell them. If you’re not fussed how everything looks, tell them that too (this actually can make it easier for them if they are given creative license). Working with the deadlines they give you, makes things easier for them. Giving them new documents every other day with updated plans is a waste of their time and yours, and this is usually how mistakes happen. You will not be their favourite client if they don’t hear from you, or you don’t give them the information they need on time. The more your venue likes you, the more accommodating they can be if you need any favours! An oversight from many couples.
Runsheets & MCs.
WOW this can be a huge one. Most weddings now are MC’d by a family member or friend. While this does make it a more personal affair, this can really turn things on its head when it comes to the smooth running of an event. One of the main purposes of the runsheet is to let the kitchen know at what times they can serve meals…HOT. If you have an MC that doesn’t really “believe” in runsheets, or you have an MC that thinks they are the star of the show, and decide to make 20 minute improtu speeches, it will really upset chef because your guests will be blaming him when their food comes out cold. Always run your draft runsheet past all your vendors (especially the catering team), before you set it in stone. Make sure your MC knows the scoop in the lead up to the wedding, if they don’t feel comfortable sticking to the timings, hire a professional.
Not taking the advice you’ve paid for.
If you’ve hired a professional, like a photographer, videographer, planner, florist…whatever, then trust that you’ve made the right choice and take their advice. If they tell you that something is a bad idea, then ask them why and take their recommendation. It makes it really difficult to change the course of the event on the day of once things are underway. This one seems so simple, but when you’ve done hundreds of events before a true professional will know what works, and what doesn’t. That’s why you hired them in the first place.
Be humble.
Everyone likes to work with someone that appreciates their time, and respects their opinion. It makes us feel good about ourselves and what we’re doing, and makes us want to do better, and give more – because you are being so darn nice and easy to work with. In fact you are being so darn nice, I want you to have the best day ever, so I’m going to throw a few extra little things in for free. Yes you are paying for a product or service. Without a doubt. But it doesn’t cost anything to be nice. Humble clients will receive a lot more value add ins at no charge, then a demanding high maintenance client who will usually only receive exactly what they pay for. Aint that the truth.
So none of things will cost you anything to implement, and they will all save your sanity and make you feel good from the inside out. We are always here to help though. Often the things that keep you up at night worrying about, are the little things that we can easily fix for you. Talk to us about how our wedding planning and wedding coordination day packages can make your life that much easier. While you get to have a sleep in.
