Is your DIY wedding planning causing you stress and overwhelm? Is a DIY wedding actually cheaper? What should you not do when planning a DIY wedding? Is planning a wedding really that hard? How can I make my DIY wedding unique and unforgettable? Are you constantly worried that you're not doing it correctly or something will go wrong? You don't have to do it alone! To alleviate your anxiety and help you avoid common mistakes, I’ve compiled the biggest DIY wedding planning mistakes – and of course how to avoid them. I have a lot to say on this topic, so this is going to be a 2-part series. In today's post, I focus on vendors and planning. In my second post, I will focus on the overall timeline of the day. So without further ado . . .
1. Not setting a REALISTIC budget at the beginning
Unless you’re an accountant or an economist, numbers just aren’t sexy. I get it. But not putting together a firm budget runs the risk of booking vendors that are not in your price range which can cause stress and anxiety as the event draws near and the expenses begin adding up. To avoid this, sit down with your partner (and/or your parents if they are helping pay for it) and compile a list of all the things you want as part of the experience and PRIORITIZE where you want your money to go. You likely can't have ‘all the things,' so know at the beginning where you will spend and where you will choose to save.
2. MAKING PLANS OR BOOKING VENDORS TOO EARLY
Along the same lines, booking a venue and caterer after you confirm the number of guests will save a lot of headaches. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue only to realize you can’t fit everyone or it ends up feeling cavernous because you invited fewer guests than you had originally planned. The biggest driver of cost is your number of guests, so pick a venue that is appropriately sized for your party.
3. HIRING ‘FRIENDORS'
It may sound cliché, but you get what you pay for. Vendor pricing can vary greatly and often quality and price are directly related (not always, but often). I completely respect having a tighter budget, but make sure you book the highest quality vendors IN YOUR PRICE RANGE. A common DIY wedding mistake is hiring family and friends as vendors. Do not do this unless you are prepared to hold them to the same standards as a paid vendor. Conversely, if you want your vendors to treat you like a client, pay them like a client. Compare your options, get recommendations from unbiased members of the industry, and see their work. Often it’s just better to let your family and friends attend as guests.
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4. FORGETTING TO ASK IF VENDORS CARRY INSURANCE
If the unthinkable happens, what are your vendors liable for and what are you liable for? Another common DIY wedding mistake people make is forgetting to ask vendors if they carry insurance and what is covered under their policy. Make sure you do this. Also, ask the venue if they require certificates of insurance from any other vendors. It is common for a venue to require this of certain vendors and you will save time knowing this requirement before booking a vendor.
5. NOT HAVING A PROPER SET-UP AND CLEAN-UP PLAN
The last thing you want to do at the end of the night is pick up after the party. It’s such a downer. Couples all too often forget about what happens at the end of the night. If you are planning a backyard wedding at your home or if the caterer is dropping off food instead of serving it or, dare I say it, food trucks are serving dinner, know who is taking what at the end of the night. When is the rentals company returning to pick up everything? Is the caterer rinsing the dishes and taking their trash with them or are they leaving it there? What will the venue allow you to leave there and pick up the next day? Have a plan, staff it accordingly (read: don’t ask your family and friends to do it), and make sure everyone is aware of it.
CONCLUSION
Couples, heed my words. You do not want to make these mistakes. I've seen it happen all too often! Better yet, reach out to me so I can make doubly sure nothing goes wrong on your wedding day!
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Hope to hear from you soon! Happy planning!
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