Planning your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as you prepare all the details to celebrate the day you make that lifelong commitment at the altar to your significant other. This can be a very stressful time for the wedding couple, especially if you have no prior experience planning such a large-scale event with so many components and moving parts. While it can be a super exciting kind of stress, the scales can quickly shift to feeling overwhelmed when mistakes that could have been easily avoided occur. These common mistakes you may or may not have thought of before, but trust us, they are must-knows, and they will shape the experience and stress you have planning your wedding day, and how your wedding day turns out. Here are five wedding planning mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Setting a Clear Budget
Money talks, and it is no secret that weddings can be expensive. That makes sense, considering how many elements are needed to execute the perfect day. Since you will only have one, it is natural to want to make it the best wedding ever.
Setting a clear budget early in your planning will simplify the entire process. Start by looking at venues around your city, or further afield if you are planning a destination wedding, to get a sense of pricing and how much you are comfortable spending. Dive into the details of what is included in each venue package so there are no hidden costs later. Without a clear budget, expenses can quickly spiral beyond what you expect.
2. Underestimating Your Wedding Guest List Size
Friends and family, come one, come all. Your wedding guest list is crucial to planning, as it determines who will be there to celebrate your special day. One of the biggest mistakes couples make is underestimating the size of their guest list when booking a venue.
Imagine confirming your dream venue and later realising your guest list is larger than its capacity. To avoid this disaster, start with a rough list and include a small buffer of numbers increase. This gives you flexibility and helps avoid tough decisions about who to exclude later. Alternatively, book at a wedding venue with flexibility in capacity. Even if your numbers creep up, you will be sure to have the perfect large wedding at Markovina Estate.
3. Booking Vendors Too Late
Photographers, florists, DJs, and other key vendors are vital in bringing your wedding vision to life. However, these professionals often have busy schedules, especially during peak wedding season, when multiple couples vie for their services.
Leaving bookings too late can mean missing out on your preferred vendors. To avoid this, contact vendors as soon as possible once your wedding date and venue are confirmed. You can also visit wedding open days or vendor showrooms, such as the Markovina open day, where we have numerous vendors available to discuss your wedding with.
4. Forgetting About a Wet-Weather Wedding Backup
Mother Nature works on her own schedule, and even the most carefully planned summer wedding can be met with unexpected rain. One major mistake is not having a wet-weather backup. This is especially important for Auckland weddings as everyone knows how unpredictable Auckland weather can be.
A great reason to choose Markovina Estate is that it offers a stunning indoor ceremony space, so your wedding will be spectacular whether it rains or shines. Having a backup plan removes stress and ensures your ceremony remains beautiful no matter the weather.
5. Overcomplicating the Wedding Day Timeline
When it comes to your wedding day, simplicity is best. One common issue is creating an overly detailed and rigid timeline that is impossible to stick to.
Wedding days rarely run exactly to schedule, so a strict plan can create unnecessary stress if things fall behind. Instead, create a simple, flexible timeline with key points such as when formalities begin and when guests should move between spaces. Keep minor details as rough guides, like having group photos after the ceremony rather than scheduling them for 3:35 p.m. sharp.
No matter how you plan your wedding, the main goal is to have fun and enjoy the process. These tips are a great starting point to help keep planning enjoyable and stress-free.
If you are beginning your wedding planning journey, visit Markovina Estate, the Auckland vineyard wedding venue in Kumeu. Our team will be delighted to show you around and help make the planning process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Together, we will bring your vision to life and make your wedding dreams a reality.
