How can you plan the perfect wedding day?

Sorry, but I’m here to be a little bit of a butt buster and say, you’re not. Your wedding won’t be perfect, simply because there are so many details and timeless moments that can never be recreated or “fixed,” simply because weddings are authentic. They are spontaneous!

You can’t plan emotions, so you can only go so far to plan your wedding!

But luckily, I’ve drummed up the solutions to some of the most common wedding mistakes, and even better, how to avoid them!

MISTAKE #1. Too Many Wedding Colors

Choosing too many wedding colors can easily become overpowering and distracting, not just for your flowers, but for your decor as well. Keeping to a simply palette can lend a simple elegance and continuity to your wedding theme and style. I suggest choosing 2 complimentary colors, and if you must, having a third as your subtle color, that adds balance between your two main colors. For example, gold and pink are this year’s trendiest wedding colors. A soft taupe is a great “third color” choice, if you need to balance your vintage toned pallet.

MISTAKE #2. Succumbing to Social Pressure When Selecting Bridesmaids

Your bridesmaids are going to be your backbone and support for the next few months. They will coax you, support you, laugh with you, and pick you up when you need it most. Don’t surround yourself with anyone who you don’t trust, to be able to mentally and emotionally support you.

Feeling obligated to invite your future sister in law?

If she doesn’t fit your mold, or the positive energy that you want during your wedding day, then stay strong to your gumption and instead, perhaps give her an alternative job, like the evening prayers, or helping pick the DJ song list.

It might be hard at first to cut people off the bridesmaid list, but it will add to a more seamless, harmonious wedding day, and everyone (your future sister in law included) will be happier without the added social stress!

MISTAKE #3. Following Wedding Tradition (When That’s Just Not You!)

Bouquet toss not for you? No problem! Don’t worry yourselves with following the traditional timeline, if it’s not your style or personality. Many couples these days are opting to create your own day, and fitting in those wedding activities, that truly matter to them.

Moms will get over their issues if you choose to do a First Look before the ceremony.

Your friends will thank you for not dragging them up on the dance floor for the single dance!

Stick to what you truly want for you day, and don’t be afraid of what others might say or think. You don’t want to resent activities or your tight timeline, to include events you have no interest in on your wedding day.

MISTAKE #4. Not Meeting Your Hired Vendors

This one is extremely important not to forget! Meeting your vendors ensures that you have a personal connection with those who are going to represent your wedding, and in a photographer case, capture these timeless moments forever. The last thing on your wedding day is dealing with a DJ who you suddenly discover, has a sarcastic sense of humor who doesn’t jive well with your guests. Knowing how your vendors operate will ensure that you trust them to take care of all the details and stresses of the wedding day, so that you can simply enjoy it!

MISTAKE #5. Skipping the Rehearsal Dinner

Many brides and grooms are a bundle of emotions on their rehearsal dinner. Your wedding party will be eager to get the “show on the road” and it if oftentimes, more of a party than a learning experience. Asking your wedding party to cooperate politely for the short rehearsal dinner is important, so that when it comes time to actually walk down the aisle, the nerves are calmed and everyone can enjoy the experience, instead of being too nervous.

MISTAKE #6. Wearing Too-High Heels

Although many times the ceremony and reception are held indoors (on hard ground) at some point, you will be walking around outside, many times shuffling around for various pictures for several hours. Your outdoor conditions can vary from gardens, sand dunes, beaches, farm fields, and any number of soft surfaces that can truly hinder your shoe choice for the wedding day.

Bring an alternative set of shoes for the time in-between the ceremony and reception where you can easily and comfortably move around outside, without worrying about ruining your heels, or twisting an ankle.

MISTAKE #7. No Plan B For Weather

No bride ever wants to create a contingency plan for bad weather or rain on their wedding day. They simply don’t even want to create the thought that it might rain on their special day! But planning in advance for this is very important. It doesn’t have to be a disaster if it rains.

Buying cute parasols, rain boots, and even bringing blankets to wrap around each other, can often be a heart warming and beautiful photo set in itself! This way, you might not have ideal wedding scenes, but you will still have lovable and gorgeous wedding photos to remember the day!

MISTAKE #8. Not Considering the Ages of Your Guests

There are a few wedding day events where it is important to consider the age group and demographics of your wedding guests:
• DJ Song List
• Bouquet Toss
• Garter Toss
Every couple wants to have a great time at the wedding (obviously) but your wedding guests want to have fun too. If you happen to have a generally older crowd attending, you might want to consider the fun classics for your DJ list, like Michael Jackson, mix of 90’s, etc. This will get everyone out not he dance floor, ensuring great candid photos, and a memorable reception.

The reception events like the bouquet and garter toss, can be equally awkward if suddenly you realize that you only have 2 single girlfriends, and a few divorced guys to throw the garter. Consider skipping them altogether if they simply do not fit your type of friends. You can always replace it with other activities like the Dollar Dance, if you want to remain within wedding traditions.

MISTAKE #9. Not Appointing Duties To Your Maid of Honor

Your Maid of Honor is presumably your bestie, your girl at arms, your soul sista! Don’t feel bad it you outline a few specific details for her to take care of on your big day. It actually will relieve stress and avoid confusion is everyone in your wedding party has specific actions to take, and if there is a leader (aka your Maid of Honor) to direct them so that not everyone is depending on during your wedding.

MISTAKE #10. Just “Winging” It

Many of us enter the wedding planning stages with the notion that we are going to be relaxed about our wedding plans. We aren’t going to stress, or cry if things don’t go our way…ok sure! This mindset is all dandy (heck, I LOVE relaxed couples) but don’t mistake a relaxed attitude for a lazy one. Meaning, don’t assume all details will fall in to place, without at least some minimal planning and direction of your wedding party and vendors. Leaving most of the decisions up in the air will incur behind the scenes annoyances for your wedding party and family involved in the planning stages, and end up being more stressful for you, when it comes to your big day.

HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOU:

• 10 Cute Ideas for DIY Wedding Decor
• The Secrets Your Wedding Photographer Never Told You (But Always Wanted To!)
• 5 DIY Steps For Chic DIY Brooch Bouquet & Boutonnieres
• The Top Tips to Look Beautiful in Your Wedding Dress

Want more tips and tricks for planning your wedding? Subscribe to my wedding newsletter for FREE advice and discounts! SIGN UP HERE

Don’t yet have a wedding photographer for your wedding? No problem!

Contact me today for a FREE quote on packages and prices! We offer varying prices and packages, as well as custom designed photography packages to fit your budget!

Traverse City Wedding photography by Lux Light Photography, captures beautiful and intimate portraits for your wedding, engagement, family, newborn, and boudoir photography session in all of northern Michigan, including Traverse City, Petoskey, Inn at Bay Harbor, Crystal Mountain, Homestead Resort, Bowers Harbor, Mission Table, Glen Arbor, and Charlevoix!

Lux Light Photography  |  luxlightphotography@gmail.com  |  231-633-9410  |  www.luxlightphotography.net

Comments

comments