I’ve made a list of 10 things that everyone forgets to plan for their wedding. And when I say they are make or break, I’m not exaggerating! The great news is that most of these won’t cost you anything extra, but will help you to plan a stress-free wedding that’s enjoyable for everyone.
1. Your wedding date
Resist the temptation to go with the first date offered to you. First consider if the date clashes with big things, like sports finals (particularly for couples or guests who love sports and will be distracted – or hosted in the town you’re getting married in, which just equals lots of traffic).
2. A backup weather plan
Always have a backup plan for the weather! This could be a marquee or umbrellas for the rain, cozy blankets and hot drinks for the cold and water bottles and sun cream for the heat.
3. Sending save the dates too early
Before you send save the dates, you need to book your venue and make sure both the date and location are secure. You can’t uninvite someone so don’t send a save the date before you know if you can actually have someone at your wedding.
4. Remember to budget for postage costs for your invitations and thank you cards
We know lots of couples who have simply forgotten it will cost money to send their invitations! This is your reminder to include an approximate cost within your budget and don’t get caught out. You should also consider the size and weight of your invites as this will affect the price it costs to post them.
5. Break in your shoes
Walk around in your shoes, break them in and try the hairdryer trick: put on a thick pair of socks and squeeze your feet into your shoes, use your hairdryer to apply heat to the areas that hurt or pinch your feet.
And if in doubt, bring back up shoes for later!
6. Ask guests and the wedding party about any food allergies and diet restrictions
The easiest way to keep track of this is to include a card within your invitations, which should be relayed on to the catering team at your venue.
7. Provide your on the day suppliers with a meal
Weddings are long, tiring days for your suppliers, especially the photographer and videographers. It’s only fair to provide them with a meal at the reception to keep them going until they’ve captured every little detail.
8. Give roles to your wedding party
Your wedding party could have roles throughout the day, such as someone to return your hired items (like suits and decor), someone to hold onto your gifts and cards, and you could create some fun roles for the morning:
Playlist-curator, someone to make sure you’re all eating and hydrating, someone to keep everyone on schedule, someone to take lots of photos and videos, and so on.
9. Include time and budget for alterations
Finding your wedding dress is only the start of the puzzle piece! Make sure you leave plenty of time, and have some budget set aside for alterations for both your bridesmaids and your own gown.
10. Remember to eat during your wedding prep
The morning of your wedding will be exciting and can be pretty hectic, and not to mention filled with nerves and emotion. Even if you don’t feel like eating very much, that’s exactly what you should do to ensure you are ready for the celebration. Light bites such as fruit and pastries, plus plenty of water is a good idea.
