These mistakes are often avoidable and manageable
Wedding planning is hard and that’s an undeniable fact. In addition to being inexperienced (as all first-timers probably are), the tasks of liaising with the vendors to guest management to handling family pressure, further complicate things. We are bound to hit a brick wall and make mistakes as we juggle through the planning process. With that said, here are the 6 most common mistakes couples make when planning their wedding and how you can avoid them.
P.S. We took the courtesy to gather tips from industry experts and wedded couples in Singapore.
Mistake 1: Not arranging bookings early enough
This is the most common mistake made by couples, which is why professional wedding planners have stressed the importance of booking venue and vendor as soon as possible.
Booking early is the key to optimising your chances of running a wedding smoothly. It also ensures you a higher chance of securing the vendors and venue you have in mind.
“From my experience, I would advise couples to start engaging with the hotels and vendors at least 12 to 18 months in advance. Don’t be surprised if you can’t get a booking slot even if you engage them 12 months in advance, especially if they are popular venues,” said Abbey who got married in 2015.
“Once the venue is settled, move on to other vendors. I would suggest booking those that are really popular or harder to book,” she further advised.
On rare occasions, even booking early will not guarantee you securing the venue or vendors of your choice; this is especially true during peak wedding seasons. Hence, arranging bookings early actually gives you the upper hand of having the time to browse through other options as your alternatives.
Mistake 2: Buying a wedding package out of pressure
Always remember that buying a package means that you are restraining yourself from the wide array of choices out there and so, reducing personalisation. Unless you are sure that you can negotiate the terms in the package– don’t get a package. Rather take the time to analyse if the package is really worth the money and that you like 80% of the vendor involved.
“This is probably the most expensive mistake I have made,” Keira expressed.
“I love the photographer and makeup artist in the wedding package but I hated the dresses available and I could not switch it up because it was a package. So my biggest regret is not taking the time to find other deals or partnerships that the photographer or makeup artist had,” Keira shared.
So we do urge you to consider twice before signing a package, especially if it is one that encompasses a lot of vendors. Sometimes, taking the time to source for simpler packages or individual vendors may just be a better option.
Mistake 3: Poor guest list management
Poor guest list management is a big mistake when it comes to wedding planning. Not only will it create regrets for couples but it’s also damaging to the pockets.
Singaporean weddings often involve large guest lists due to cultural and family expectations, making it difficult to keep the guest count within budget or to keep it intimate. Effective guest list management requires thoughtful planning, open communication, and a willingness to make difficult decisions when necessary. In addition, it requires early attention and careful consideration.
To simplify it, we’ve made a simple infographic guide with pointers to help make guest list management easier.
By following these steps and maintaining a collaborative approach with your partner and families, you can navigate the guest list process and ensure that your wedding day is filled with the people who matter most to you.
Mistake 4: Letting your family influence the wedding
The fourth on the list of common mistakes couples make is letting your family influence the wedding planning. It is not uncommon for family members to want to help in the wedding planning process but sometimes, they might cross the boundaries and start changing the details of the wedding. Inevitably, this leads to conflict and tension, and to resolve, couples may tend to just arrange things according to what their families want— making it one of the biggest mistakes/regrets couples have.
Kelly who got wedded in 2022, advised minimising telling your family the details.
“I kept things on a need-to-know basis to minimise interference, even if my parents tried to probe. This definitely helped ensure that I had my whole wedding planned in the way I liked it. However, do this with care, you still have to respect your parents’ wishes after all, so just make sure to do at least the bare minimum of their requirements are met!” She added.
Jonathan who also got wedded in 2022 emphasized that compromising whenever possible can also help to ease the tension. However, stand firm for areas that matter more to you and your partner.
“If you wish to have a small guest list, then convey that wish firmly to your parents. I am sure they can understand. Even if it upsets them, you need to remember that this is a special occasion for you and your partner, don’t make it about anybody else.” He said.
Concluding his interview, Jonathan added: “Regardless of what and who I am having the disagreement with, I always try to compromise on my end and urge the other party to give in a little too. It takes two hands to clap so compromising does go a long way. There’s already so many to do so just try to make things easy and get going with the next agenda.”
If you require more tips, you may refer to our article on handling family pressure here!
Mistake 5: Assuming that DIY is cheaper
While DIY elements can add a personal touch to your wedding and be a fun creative outlet, they don’t always guarantee cost savings. DIY projects often require time, effort, and resources, which can accumulate expenses. Materials, tools, and specialized skills may be needed, and if not done correctly, they could lead to costly mistakes or last-minute professional intervention. This is especially true for floral-related projects– just don’t do that yourself and hire a professional, after all, floral arrangement is an art!
Additionally, the stress and time commitment involved in DIY projects can impact your overall wedding experience. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider your skill level before deciding on DIY elements for your wedding, as sometimes opting for professional services can be more cost-effective and less stressful.
However, here are some of the things that we think you can DIY for your wedding:
- E-Card / Card invitations
- Photo Booth
- Reception area
- Makeup & Hair
If you are contemplating whether or not you should use E-cards instead of traditional wedding card invitations, you may refer to our article “4 Reasons Why You Should Ditch Traditional Wedding Card Invitations & Where You Can Make Your E-Invitations” here!
Mistake 6: Choosing the wrong people for roles
Last on the list of common mistakes couples make is a mistake that people don’t usually talk about, which is choosing the wrong people for roles.
When we asked, couples confessed that they do regret having 1 or 2 people on the team, and it could have been completely avoided if they had thought through it slowly.
“I had chosen a not-so-close friend to be one of my bridesmaids, just because my maid-of-honour requested. I was so awkward with her to the extent I didn’t feel that my wedding was completely wholesome. If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have done so,” Angela confessed.
Hence, we urge you to take the time to choose the people on your team. Make sure you are comfortable with all. After all, choosing bridesmaids, groomsmen, a maid of honour, and a best man are all pivotal decisions, and you definitely would want to avoid potential situations where you need to dismiss a bridesmaid or groomsman.
Some also confessed to underestimating the expenses associated with having a sizable number of bridesmaids and groomsmen and wished they had opted for fewer to manage costs more effectively.
The optimal solution here is to exercise patience when making these decisions. Resist the urge to rush into announcing your wedding and who you want on your team. This will provide ample time to assess how supportive people are in assisting with wedding preparations.
Words from author
Take these pieces of advice from professionals and married couples, don’t make the same mistakes they did. By taking proactive steps to address and avoid these common mistakes couples make. You can significantly enhance the chances of having a smooth and memorable wedding journey.
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