You have decorated the hall, make sure that the catering is taken care of and had gone through the rehearsal of your wedding. What can possibly go wrong? There is no take two so flop-proof your wedding by avoiding these costly mistakes.
Mistake #1 : Running Late
Your groom may have been too excited that he can't have a good night sleep and end up rising late to pick up his bride. Or, it could be the limousine that is late to pick him up. The venue you booked may have a time limit so if you missed it there could be some serious problems.
There is no way of knowing the traffic condition on your wedding day so simply allocating an extra hour to spare can really save the day. Make sure you don't forget your rings, and other important items that require you to turn back for.
Mistake #2 : Unexpected Wardrobe Malfunction
It could be the best man, the groom, the bride or anybody else. What do you do if the zip of your gown gave way at the very last minute? Or you have just snagged a hole on your gloves? In this case, it is smart to prepare a SOS kit in advance, even though such occurence is quite unlikely.
Place items such as sewing kit, duct tapes, stapler, medicines, plaster, medicated oil and other things you can think of inside this SOS kit.
Mistake #3 : Guestlist Flop
Did you missed inviting someone important? It is more than embarrassing to have missed inviting somebody. A family feud is very likely to happen this way. Have both sides of the family run through the guestlist again to be sure.
Also, you should brace yourself for higher or lower guest turnover. Some people may not be able to make it at the very last minute and some distant relative may suddenly decide to bring their 5 kids along. Speak to your reception vendor to discuss possible ways to counter this.
Mistake #4 : Audio Visual Mishaps
This is so common yet it can be easily avoided. Test your microphones, speakers, projectors and laptop before the reception begin to prevent awkward moments.
Another thing your should bear in mind is to communicate with your videographer. Tell him exactly how you are going to plan your entrance and where your path is going to be so he can plan his angle. Imagine how it would be if he have targeted an entrance path but you actually planned to appear right on the stage?
Mistake #5 : Short Of Waiters
Even the poshest hotels sometimes have bad service due to lack of waiters. Ask beforehand what is the ratio of waiters to number to tables. Can one person take care of three tables? It depends on the formality of your reception. In grand 8 course dinners, a waiter has to refill drinks, refill liquor, change plates, serve dishes and clear them but in a Sunday brunch reception, the waiter only clear plates. In most cases, it is advisable to hire additional waiters.
You may want to have one or two designated waiter to refill liquor only, as you do not want your guests to freely help themselves with it.
Mistake #6 : Blackout, Bad Weather
No one could predict a blackout, and hotels should have a back up generator. Talk to your reception vendor or if you use candles, more advantage to you. Weather forecast is can be wrong, so take extra precautions if you plan to have an outdoor reception.
Mistake #7 : Seating Arrangements
Many of your guests will not stick to the original seating arrangement because they want to be able to seat with the people they are familiar with. Somehow, even with carefully planned arrangement, there are bound to be singled out guests that are forced to join another table as the intended table is full.
Do not worry too much about this as it is frankly out of your control. Delegate this task to someone you trust and things will get smoothen out when the reception begins.
Mistake #8 : Set A Realistic Expectation
It is very important to see that expectations are being met especially where money is involved. Your parents have their expectations, so do his, and you and your groom have your own individual expectations. How do you satisfy everyone here?
The tricky part is although it is your wedding, it is them, the parents who are paying for it. Do not hide this matter and let everyone to draw their own conclusion. Lay it in the open before the wedding planning become even more complicated and sort things out so everyone know what to expect.
It will be hard at first, but establishing your reasons and expectation will allow them to see things in your perspective and be more accommodating. Tackling this problem before it begin will also save you a lot of explanations later.
Mistake #9 : Exceeding Your Budget
Almost every couple with reasonable expectations will exceed their budget. Be realistic and do your homework before budgeting to prevent any heart attacks later. Get a wedding software to help you keep track of your spendings and make you stay on track.
When dealing with vendors, ask upfront to see if they there's any hidden charges. They will just sweep everything under the carpet for you to discover afterwards if you do not ask. Ask yourself how much will it worth to you to rent that Versace dress. If it means a lot to you, keep it. If not, remove it from your budget.
Mistake #10 : Stressing Yourself Out
You have to start adopting a relaxed mood weeks before your wedding date, even if the big day is drawing near. In fact, planning a wedding is a hectic affair and if not handled properly, will affect your relationship with your spouse as both of you are equally stressed out.
You know how pimples will pop out just before a party? So stop being so nervous and anxious. Instead, go for your manicure, try on a few of your favorite hairstyle or visit a spa. Do not do drastic treatment to your face such as microdermabrasion at this time as you may not recover in time if you have aggravated breakouts.
