The 7 Biggest Mistakes Couples Make As Soon As They Get Engaged
CONGRATULATIONS! You’re engaged! You’ve told all your nearest and dearest, popped a bottle of bubbly, or two, and celebrated that you’re a FIANCÉ (eeeek). Now you’re suddenly faced with planning a wedding… the biggest day of your lives, you’ve never planned a wedding before and have no clue where to start. Save yourself wedding headaches from the start by avoiding these 7 common newly engaged mistakes:
1. Don’t tell the internet before you tell your close family!
You’ve probably heard this one several times already but trust me everyone is really trying to save you from the wrath of an angry parent, in law, grandparent. We get it, you’re excited and ready to scream it from the roof tops – in true Monica style and by all means please do!! But there is no disappointment like hearing your big news from a third-party or scrolling their social media feed.
2. Don’t start planning straight away.
This is a really exciting and fun time of your life, don’t rush through the enjoyment. Relish in your newly engaged bubble for a few weeks at least. People will say this to you all the time but genuinely this time will fly by, enjoy every minute.
3. Don’t rush into booking a wedding venue and suppliers.
Once you officially start the wedding planning process it can suddenly feel like a sprint to get all your suppliers booked before someone else does or they are no longer available. This one is difficult to not get swept up in, but this is one of the most important tips I give my couples, make sure you know everything about who or where you’re booking. This is a big reason wedding planners are great (not to brag), but they have a list of reliable suppliers who are likeminded to the couples they choose them for, they have worked with them before, they know their communication style and know they will turn up on the day. If you don’t have a planner, this is your research time, make sure you don’t just get drawn into the pretty pictures and book them solely off that. Look at their reviews online, ask them for previous couples you can speak to for testimonials, meet them in person, do you get on with them or not? Notice their communication style, do they reply instantly or take a while and not answer your questions, now imagine you have an urgent question two weeks before the wedding, but you know they take 4 weeks to respond, will that add to your wedding stress? Make sure you choose the people and places who will work with you to make your wedding perfect, and not ones who will add stress, you’ll be stressed enough.
4. Don’t start planning without setting a budget.
Social media will flood you with grand and elaborate pictures of beautiful floral displays, indoor fairy light ceilings, banquet tables hosting 300+ seats, but it doesn’t tell you about the potential 6 figure price tag attached £££££. I am definitely not someone to tell you not to look on Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration, it’s like the adult version of looking through the Argos catalogue, but before you get swept up in the amazing visual world of the internet, identify a maximum amount money you want or have to spend on your wedding.
Don’t forget to include a 10% contingency budget for unexpected expenses, especially if you don’t have a wedding planner, as these will definitely crop up when you least expect them to.
Once you know your budget, identify what are your must haves for your wedding are for you both and work from that. For example, if you know your heart is set on a live band for your evening entertainment, this will be more expensive than a DJ therefore a larger portion of your budget will be associated with this, on the other hand if you’re not as concerned with having signature cocktails for your welcome drinks, instead opt for the standards drinks package, which will cost less.
You’ve just opened the door to a whole new world of wedding related items, entertainment, purchases that can be made; make sure you stay grounded with your budget before you start spending money on everything!
5. Don’t forget your wedding insurance.
Think 2020; we’ve all lived through a crazy three-year pandemic and know all too well how unpredictable and “unprecedented” the world can be, not to mention the cost-of-living crisis that is very much in full force too, it’s not worth the risk to not to protect yourselves. Wedding insurance will save you from paying for items twice, if there’s a problem with your wedding venue, your dress, or a supplier have the reassurance that your wedding insurance policy will pay for the replacement items, saving you from nasty and expensive spending!!
For context in the UK an average wedding in 2022 cost £18,400 and this is predicted to be more towards £24,000 in 2023. Your wedding is likely to be the third most expensive purchase you will ever make, why wouldn’t you protect it. On average for a standard £20,000 wedding, insurance starts around £120.
6. Don’t invite people too early.
It’s hard not to talk to anyone who will listen, or even those who don’t have a choice, about your wedding; but be mindful about sharing too many details too soon. You don’t want to invite someone to your wedding in two years’, when the official invitations go out, you haven’t spoken to them since but feel obliged to invite them because you previously said you would. Some people are definitely on the guest list, of course, but keep others in suspense until the invitations or save the dates go out and also save a few surprised for the big day! Guests love it!
7. Don’t forget this is your wedding day.
There will be a lot of opinions. You will feel compelled to invite a random family member or family friend, change the date to try and avoid people being away, even the location to make it easier for that one family member who doesn’t travel far, but follow your heart (and your gut) and remember, this is your day, to celebrate your love, do it your way! The people who want to be there will make the effort to be part of your day and trust me you will enjoy it more and that memory will last a lifetime.
This might sound a little overwhelming, but I promise it will save you a lot of time d money in your wedding planning! Although, if you still feel a little stressed or this has highlighted that you might need some more help and advice with wedding planning fear not, I’m here, click here for more ways I can help with your wedding planning.
