Understanding 3 common pitfalls in wedding planning can help you avoid them and reach your wedding day on good terms with everyone and ready to celebrate your love and marriage. The months leading up to your wedding day are emotional ones for everyone involved. It’s helpful to remember that the day is important for the two of you, obviously, but also for your parents and children if you have them. So let’s look at the most common pitfalls and some ways to minimize, avoid or cope with them.
1. Dealing with suggestions and demands from many quarters. The most effective way to deal with all the people who have opinions about your day is to have a discussion early on between you and your fiance(e). Decide which elements of your day are most important to you and what your want them to look like or have happen. With this clear understanding between you, you can hear all the suggestions and demands, decide if they enhance the things that are important to you, and politely disregard the rest. Make sure you’re on the same page as a couple, so if you get pushback from your fiance(e)’s family or friends they can speak to their “people” and you don’t have to look like the bad guy/gal.
2. Letting mole hills become mountains. When you’re stressed and exhausted it is very easy to become overwhelmed with each and every wedding task. This is another time you can pull out your list of things you’ve decided are important to you. If the issue before you does not relate to one of the important elements, it’s a key for you to take a step back. You might choose to delegate the task, to compromise, or to simply let it go.
3. Procrastinating. Most people choose their venue and date early on. Key vendors including photographer, musicians and celebrant follow shortly thereafter. And then many couples take a breather. It’s easy for time to slip away, especially if you have a long engagement. If you know you tend to procrastinate, utilize a planning guide to stay on top of planning tasks in a rational order. One caveat here – know your area. Some geographies have venues that book 18 months to 2 years out, and if there are limited vendors available, they, too will book quickly. – the planning guides may not be accurate. Another way to reduce the seemingly overwhelming list of tasks which can lead to procrastination is to delegate some of the work – utilize family, friends, your wedding party and especially your fiance(e) to share the load. Make sure you check in occasionally to ensure things are happening, and show lots of appreciation – words, cards, a small gift card to a favorite coffee shop, pick up the tab at lunch where you discuss wedding task status,etc so the people you delegated to feel seen and appreciated.
Using these tips you can avoid or minimize the 3 common pitfalls in wedding planning, and reach your wedding day with important relationships intact. Remember, it’s a special day, but only a day, and the reason for it all lies ahead of you as you build your life together in marriage.