Biggest wedding slip-ups we have seen this year

Only you and a small handful of people know exactly what is supposed to happen on your wedding day. Little mishaps and changes in the plan will only be noticed by guests if you make a big deal about them. We’re sharing these slip-ups (that could have been easily avoided by clear communication and making the right decisions at the start of planning) so that you don’t make them.

“Ending the party too early. It is the best day of your life, add an extra hour is worth the (relatively small) spend!”

“Not having an MC to take the lead on introducing the next speech-giver.”

It depends on who’s giving speeches but sometimes this flow can fall a bit flat. Having an MC is a lovely personal touch, someone who adds some energy to the day and carries everyone along. Having your speeches introduced doesn’t need to be a speech on speech job (your guests will hate us!) but a little intro for that VIP and a warm welcome, really helps the flow.

“Assuming everyone would know what I wanted to happen”

Stop and write down all conversations you need to have with those involved in the wedding - this includes the groom! Have you clearly discussed together what he needs to do on the day of the wedding? And have you spoken to your bridesmaids and groomsmen about specific tasks they need to undertake to make your lives easier? A key clarity conversation needs to be had between you and your planner, do not assume their role on your wedding day as each one has very different contractual terms. Questions like, are they going to check the name settings after the caterer puts them out, will they put out any personal decor items you have brought and gather it away afterwards. Where will they place it?

A good way to do this is to work through your wedding timeline moment by moment and add what you want to happen. Then commnunicate it. You are not a bride-zilla!

“Not listening to my planner and having the ceremony too early. Aperitivo was too long and everyone was too hot.”

“Booking the wrong venue…not checking the small print quite enough and being stung with costs throughout.”

Avoid rookie mistakes with a planner in your pocket

Whether you need support from the start of your planning or have budget worries and decision pressure is weighing you down, top wedding planner and La Lista founder, Lucy is waiting to support you in The Club.

Join hundreds of other couples in our planning membership

- - “Not getting the hair & makeup trial right,”

Most HMU trials don’t go perfectly to plan. It’s almost impossible to get the HMU style right in one trial when oftentimes you’ve not got a crystal clear idea of your look/s. But it’s vital you show up to your second trial of your wedding day with this clear. Whether that’s a trial at home, to get it right to take over to Italy, or another trial the day before your wedding, the investment is worth it.

“We chose the wrong planner and it made planning stressful, disappointing and caused tension on the wedding day.”

A key vendor and one which will alter the entirety of your wedding planning and wedding itself, is your planner. We vet all wedding planners listed on our Directory, which includes an interview with our founders and expert planners themselves. Making the wrong decision here really will affect everything from your budget to your own mental health for the duration of planning.

“I booked the the wrong planner, which came with very limited vendor options to choose from. I was told I’m difficult if I asked for more. I have no idea when things would happen and all deadlines were consistently missed…I was completely stressed throughout planning. We found most vendors ourselves and did the work because we were always waiting for the planner.”

To ensure you don’t book the wrong planner:

Get clear on the service you need from a planner
Ensure you have a crystal clear list of deliverables from them as well as SLAs (service level agreements) on their communication timelines
Be clear on whether they will provide limited vendor recommendations of their own, or will search for the right options for you (and if there is a limit on their time on this, or the number they will provide)

For the full list of what to check, join The Club.

TRUSTED PLANNERS

“Not having a rehearsal of the ceremony.”

Many of the issues which arise during planning come from ‘assuming’. The couple assume that the flowers would be OK, assume that conversations have happened between vendors, assume that contracts are the same for each type of vendor. Our biggest advice - question everything. It isn’t rude, it shouldn’t be accusatory, simply getting the clarity to help everyone manage a seamless wedding for you.

“Having guests sit outside in the sun for too long before the ceremony.”

“Taking too long to change into bridal outfit 2 and guests losing their buzz.”

You’re the star of the show. Don’t kill the buzz - be there for the people!