Top Five Wedding Disasters to Avoid

Planning a wedding is a lot like buying a house. You do the research, crunch the numbers, think ahead – and you put the best possible team around yourself to help you get exactly what you want. When wedding disasters happen, it usually comes down to poor planning. And many smart, capable couples just plain and simple don’t think through some of the basic details that will make or break their wedding. That’s what a planner is for.

We want every couple to have a happy wedding. So for everyone out there who may be getting married, and is trying to do it on their own, here are some common wedding pitfalls you can absolutely avoid with careful planning.

1. Nothing is as it was supposed to be. You talked to the caterer a hundred times, the florist at least a dozen, and you thought the person in charge of the reception hall was practically your new best friend. How on earth did they get it so terribly wrong? Like everything, the devil is in the details – and it all starts with the contract. Make sure you have signed contracts with all of your service providers and all of their deliverables, estimates and costs in writing. Know your rights when it comes to your service providers – and read every contract carefully before signing.

2. The Wedding doesn’t fit the Couple. Plan your wedding for who you are, not who you wish you were. Some brides get so caught up in the romance of it all, for example, they choose gowns that are right for someone else, but not them. Or they have gowns altered well in advance of the wedding hoping they will be a size they haven’t been since grade school. Or they choose menus that sound good – but won’t be enjoyed by them or their guests. Your wedding will be perfect if it reflects the “you” that your friends and family love.

3. The Wedding doesn’t Happen. Yup, a wedding not happening actually happens. The most common reasons? Well, some are obvious, like one party or the other changing their minds. But there are other  reasons why weddings get cancelled on the day. Like the bride, groom or a witness showing up drunk. Doesn’t seem like too big of a big deal? It is. By law, marriage commissioners and members of the clergy cannot allow the marriage to proceed.   And don’t forget to get your marriage license in advance of your wedding. You will need the proper ID, including a copy of your birth certificate and a certificate of divorce if it applies. No marriage license, no marriage.

4. The Attack of Bridezilla. She is not mythical. She exists and is known to frequent Last Minute Land. It’s a terrible place where seating plans, music lists and speeches don’t materialize until, yup, you guessed it,   the last minute, if at all. She often forgets to pre-book her decorator, meaning her family is busy decorating on the day instead of enjoying their time together. She also sometimes has such high expectations of the day that nothing short of actual unicorns descending from the heavens could meet them. But all Bridezillas disappear at the first sign of relaxation and genuine enjoyment of the day, no matter what is going on or wrong.  Guests won’t remember the little things that weren’t perfect. They will, however, remember it as flawless if the bride is gracious, having a good time, and ensuring her guests are well cared for.

5. Couples lose at Weather Roulette. Some couples hold outdoor weddings but forget to make any kind of weather contingency. Did you know that in Calgary, June is the rainiest month?  Far too many couples learn that the hard way. Make sure you have tents and everything you need for a flawless back up plan if the weather turns against you. And if it does rain, know this: superstition says rain on your wedding day is good luck. Imagine what kind of luck you’ll have if it snows. And yes, in Calgary, it can snow in June.

There’s no question, a wedding is a lot of work. But it’s worth it. And if you can avoid the more common pitfalls, you’re on your way to a wedding day that will bring you many happy memories throughout the years.