How to avoid the most common planning mistakes

Even smart brides and grooms can make mistakes when it comes to planning their wedding. Learn how to avoid these disasters…

Not sticking to the budget

Even though you start out with a fixed budget, it is tempting to overspend when faced with better options and with the social pressure of trying to outdo others’ weddings. Also remember that it’s important to keep a balance in the various aspects of the wedding. Don’t scrimp on food while overspending on fireworks, for instance.

Doing it all yourself

Learning to delegate is an important element to enjoying your special day. Whether you choose a wedding planner, a friend or members of your family, let others take care of details once you have decided on what you want. More than likely they’ll only be too happy to take on a role and lessen your burden.

Venues too far apart

If you are having the ceremony and reception on the same day, make sure that they are either held at the same venue or at least not more than half an hour away from each other. Giving clear travel instructions will help ensure that your guests don’t get lost and turn up late for the wedding feast.

Being late

It’s not fashionable to arrive late for your own wedding! Putting forward the time on the alarm clocks in your house by an hour, will help you arriving on time. When planning a schedule for the day’s events, allow for extra time for each part of the day. Discuss with your photographer on when and for how long you will pose for photographs, as your guests will be disappointed if you’re missing for long periods during your reception.

Not securing valuables

British Asian wedding homes are a prime target for burglars who are aware that there’s likely to be plenty of real jewellery and valuables lying around before and during the wedding. Make sure there is someone in the house at all times or keep the valuables securely locked up if you’re leaving your home unattended. Taking out insurance is well worth the money as it will give you peace of mind.

Wardrobe malfunction

With the amount of ornamentation that goes into a typical Asian bridal lehenga (full‐length skirt), in particular around the hem, it’s not surprising that it can cause a serious wardrobe malfunction if you haven’t secured it well at the waist. Don’t make the same mistake as the bride who made a dramatic entrance into the ceremony hall by tripping over her lehenga, which fell around her ankles! Ensure that the designer has extra braces and clasps attached to give added security.

Bad hair (& make‐up) day

Book your hairstylist and make‐up artist well in advance. Having a trial of your final look beforehand ensures that you won’t get a nasty shock when you look into your mirror on the day. It will be too late to start from scratch at that point. Many brides make the mistake of piling on too much make‐up, which can look unnatural and caked‐on in the photographs. Ideally, the make‐up and hairstyle should be in keeping with your usual style, just more dressed‐up.

Not re‐confirming bookings

If you don’t want to be let down on the day, call up all your booked suppliers the week before. This means that everyone from the florist to the photographer needs to re‐confirm the order and the arrangements. It’s especially important for the suppliers who you had booked months earlier.

Henna disaster

With its ability to leave a stain for weeks to come, henna needs to be handled with care. Make sure that it has dried before you go to sleep or you could end up like the bride who woke up to find an imprint of her newly painted hand on her cheek that no amount of foundation could cover up on the wedding day.

Getting stressed out

Not taking time out to relax or having a break from wedding talk could lead to you being stressed out on the day. Often brides get so caught up in the hectic activity that they forget to eat properly in the days leading up to their wedding. This could reflect on your appearance by making you look tired or on your mood by making you ill tempered. Also, take care with your facial expressions on the day as there will be loads of pictures taken and you could end up with a life‐long reminder that you won’t want to cherish!

Failing to thank guests

They took time out of their busy lives to attend your wedding, brought you gifts and best wishes for your new life together. Don’t forget to thank them in a little speech before you leave the reception hall or/and with individual thank‐you notes after the wedding.