Wedding Planner's Advice: Top 5 Mistakes in Organizing Your Wedding

Wedding planning might seem like an easy task, but that's far from the truth. Many working couples, wanting to avoid mistakes on their big day, turn to professionals. However, I'm also speaking to the DIY Brides who are planning their wedding themselves. This list of the most common pitfalls is for you. I truly hope you can avoid them!

1. "We Don't Know Our Budget"

Couples often have no idea of their budget and simply ask, "how much does a wedding cost?" As you might guess, a wedding can cost 800.000 RUB or 3.000.000 RUB, depending on many factors (venue, number of guests, services). Therefore, talk to each other and with parents (if they are helping financially) to determine the budget within which you want to organize your wedding. If you have no idea about costs, consult a wedding planner. They can provide a preliminary estimate based on your requests, helping you understand what is and isn't expensive for you.
Everyone has their own definition of "expensive."

2. "The More Guests, The Better"

Thinking, "We'll invite a lot of people, and it'll become clearer closer to the date," is a major mistake. Without a precise guest count, you cannot determine the capacity of the venue you need. Imagine realizing a month before the wedding that you have 50 guests instead of 20, but you've already booked a venue for 20. This can lead to a very unpleasant situation. My advice: discuss the guest list with all family members. Often, a mother wants to invite relatives from her side. You must consider all opinions and "agree on the shore" with your family about who you do and don't want at your wedding. Remember, the budget also heavily depends on the number of guests (catering, transportation, etc.).

3. "I'll Buy the Wedding Dress First"

This is the most common mistake brides make. Of course, your hands are itching to save Instagram posts from bridal salons, favorite dress models, and book a fitting to "feel like a real bride." However, this purchase can actually dictate the format of your entire event. You might end up choosing a venue and wedding concept to match the already-purchased dress, when it should be the other way around. If you want to feel like a bride, attend a bridal seminar or consult with a wedding planner. It will be more beneficial and less costly.

4. Not Booking a Hair and Makeup Trial

I always explain to my brides that this expense in the budget is crucial. Without a trial, you risk an unpleasant situation on your wedding day: disliking your hairstyle, finding the makeup too bold (even if it looks great in photos), or realizing the hairstyle doesn't suit your dress. To avoid wasting extra time on adjustments during your wedding morning and to ensure your mood is at its peak (since the stylist is often the first professional the bride sees on her day), book a trial. Invest your time to finalize a hairstyle and makeup look that truly suits you and complements your dress.

5. "Do We Really Need a Videographer? We'll Just tell our kids about it."

This is my favorite point. I never understand how one can refuse wedding videography. I would give a lot to see my parents' wedding video—their emotions, glances, to see them young and in love. These are live emotions that photos simply cannot compare to. Nowadays, there are so many videography styles and creative concepts. Discussing the details with a videographer is exciting, and as a planner, I love brainstorming shoot ideas too. In short, your memories are your photos and video—a legacy for your children and grandchildren. Remember that.

Conclusion:
These are, of course, not all the mistakes brides can make—I think I could write a whole book on wedding preparation. But for starters, these top five should help. I hope that by reading this, you will avoid them when planning your wedding.

Ready to plan your dream wedding without the stress? Book a free consultation to discuss your vision!