When planning a wedding, you might get a nagging fear that something could go wrong if you make a poor choice. The problem is, planning blunders often don't reveal themselves until the big day.

But don't beat yourself up; even the most organized and careful couples make mistakes when planning their wedding. To help you out, I’ve listed 10 of the most common mistakes you can make while putting together your big day and how to avoid them.

A wedding portrait of the bride and groom taken at 48 Fields Farm in Leesburg, VA.

Making Plans Before Setting a Budget

The budget is the one thing you have to address from the get-go. All the wedding details, from the venue and guest list to the cake, hinge on how much you can actually spend.

Not Setting Your Priorities

Create a priority list and ensure you’re on the same page as your partner. Decide what’s most important and direct money and effort toward it.

Trying to Please Everyone

Although guests are a big part of the wedding, it's still your wedding. Don’t lose sleep over what other people might think about your choices. Moreover, don’t let your family or friends dictate the event. Go for whatever pleases you.

Sending Out Save-the-Dates Too Soon

Avoid the temptation to send out save-the-date cards before finalizing the guest list and settling on a venue. Send save-the-dates eight months prior to the wedding, at the earliest. And only send them to people you’re absolutely sure will be invited.

Inviting Too Many Guests

The general rule of thumb is that 10-20 percent of guests will RSVP "No" to a wedding invite. But that’s a risky way of managing the guest count. It's better to play it safe. Match your invites closely to the venue’s capacity. It’s better to remove a few extra chairs than turn excess guests away at the door.

Sweating Over the Small Stuff

Accept that not all the arrangements will go smoothly all of the time. Calls get missed, deliveries delayed, meetings postponed, and wrinkles crop up everywhere when planning a wedding. Worrying about the nitty-gritty and trying to micromanage everything will only frustrate you.

Not Having a Rain Plan

If you opt for an outdoor wedding, be sure to have a backup plan for a rainy day. Perhaps have some tents ready or a standby shelter just in case.

Taking on Everything

You can’t possibly plan an entire wedding all alone. So, don't overburden yourself with too many responsibilities. Delegate some duties to your partner, close friends, or family.

Making Last-Minute Runs

Finalize all time-sensitive plans well in advance. Book everything on time and get solid confirmations for all the items that cannot afford delays.

Not Hiring Professionals

It's less risky and more convenient to hire professionals instead of asking friends or relatives to help with high-profile tasks such as catering, photography, videography, or event planning. Working with experts guarantees quality, error-free, professional-level work.

This checklist will hopefully help you realize that picture-perfect dream wedding. And remember, weddings are all about celebrating love, making happy memories, and sharing that joy with friends and family. Don’t let these avoidable slipups get in the way of any of that.


I'm Chris and my mission is to capture bold, modern, and distinctive photos for unconventional couples. I want to make you look epic, awesome, amazing, beautiful, and dapper – all the things you like and none of the things you don’t. Most importantly, I want to capture what makes you you.

If this sounds like you and your partner, I’d love to chat! Please reach out to me regarding availably and pricing. You can also e-mail me at chris@chrisferenzi.com.