Wedding planning is not an easy task! There are a million little details that are easy to overlook if you’re not organized enough. This is one reason why people choose to use wedding planners and ask family members for help when it comes to planning their big day. So if you’re in the throes of planning your wedding (or helping someone who is), be sure you don’t make these common wedding mistakes, or you might end up with some embarrassing mishaps that’ll be retold by your friends and family for years to come!
Forgoing the Rehearsal
You’re going to walk down the aisle and say “I do.” That’s not hard, right? Wrong. Couples that choose to forgo the wedding rehearsal often end up regretting it because it can leave their wedding ceremony looking haphazard and silly. From coordinating who will be where and when to hammering out the schedule of events during the ceremony, a wedding rehearsal ensures everyone will be on the same page. You shouldn’t be running around giving people directions on the day of the wedding, and you certainly don’t want to forget anything important like having your grandmother escorted down the aisle or incorporating a song or reading by a close family friend.
Forgetting to Leave Time for Pictures
After the ceremony and before heading to the reception, many couples choose to have photos taken to capture their first moments as a married couple. These photos provide important keepsakes later on that aren’t marred by what may come next at the reception (namely food stains, sweaty hair, and lipstick stains from Aunt Millie). But many couples assume that these photos won’t take very long, and simply budget 20 or 30 minutes to snap some pictures before they head to the fun reception waiting for them. This is a mistake because inevitably the photographers end up having to rush through photographing these key moments or the couple winds up being late to their own reception – leaving guests impatiently waiting. Always ask your photographer how long they want budgeted for this picture session and respect that they will know best. Also, keep in mind that if you’re planning any family portraits during this time, you will have to allow even longer to get everyone together and photo-ready!
Skipping the Meal
Some couples choose to simply offer appetizers instead of a full meal to cut back on costs. This is fine, but if you don’t plan on offering a full meal, make sure that you offer heavier appetizers to keep guests happy. Nothing can ruin a wedding faster than hangry guests!
If you plan on providing an open bar, you should really include a full a meal also to keep guests from getting too inebriated. When opting for appetizers in lieu of a meal, it’s often better to accompany it with a cash bar to keep guests from overindulging and ruining your big day. If you simply must have an open bar and don’t plan on providing much food, politely let guests know in the invitation so that they can plan to eat ahead of time.
Not Having Enough Bathrooms
Long lines for the bathroom will make guests frustrated and disappointed with your event no matter how great everything else about the wedding and reception was. Simply put, people don’t want to get dressed up to go somewhere where they will just end up waiting in line for the bathroom! So when booking your venue, always ask about the restroom situation – How many are there? Where are they located? Can you opt for additional bathrooms? Ensure that there will be enough bathrooms for your guests and that they won’t be too far away. Outdoor venues will frequently let you supplement whatever they offer with luxury luxury restroom trailers to keep your guests satisfied. This gives you the opportunity to provide fancy luxury restrooms for your guests close to the site of your event and minimize waiting, which is a win-win for any wedding!
Planning Too Many “Mandatory” Events
Having too many events that guests are supposed to be in attendance for (like a father-daughter dance, mother-son dance, the garter, tossing the bouquet, the speeches and toasts, cake cutting, etc.) is a drag because they prevent guests from socializing and having fun. Too many of these types of things can make your reception feel boring and drawn out. (It also makes people feel awkward if they have to get up during these times to use the restroom, take a call, deal with a fussy child, and so on.) So to avoid your making your reception boring, keep these wedding reception “must-haves” to a minimum by including only what’s actually important to you. Don’t feel like you need to include things just because everyone else does them. Your guests will thank you for it!
Forgetting to Say Thank You
Keep in mind that your guests took time out of their busy lives to be a part of your big day. They likely also brought gifts, and many may have had to travel to be there. This means that you owe them a thank you big time! Going around to each table during the reception (or making your rounds from group to group at a reception where there isn’t a sit-down meal) is a nice touch to ensure that you spend a bit of time with everyone in attendance.
After the wedding, be sure to send a thank you note as well. Many people prefer hand-written thank you cards mailed to them, but if you’re trying to save money, a phone call or email can suffice as well. Just be sure to recognize that having your guests at your wedding was part of what made the day so special and unforgettable!
Kerkstra Luxury Portable Restroom Service Inc. provides portable restroom service across Michigan and luxury restroom trailers for all of the states surrounding the Great Lakes. Take a look at our mobile restroom trailers and request a quote today!
