10 Biggest Wedding Mistakes and How to Avoid The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Planning Their Wedding

I was browsing the internet earlier and accidently engrossed to the article of Nina Callaway of About.com Guide.

This article will surely help brides-to-be.

Top 10 Biggest Wedding Mistakes

How to Avoid The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Planning Their Wedding

A Lack of Personality
The number one biggest mistake I see is a wedding devoid of the couple's own personalities. Now, I'm not saying everyone has to have a theme wedding, but if I see one more wedding with the standard "Love is patient" reading, or where it doesn't seem as if the couple had a hand in the décor, menu, or music, I'm gonna scream. This is the most important day of your life - it should reflect your life.

Wasting Money
The wedding industry is just that - an industry. So while there is a lot of good advice out there, there is also advice from people who'll profit from it. Be careful you're not spending money where you don't need to - whether it's being talked into a more expensive wedding dress, or having a limousine when your wedding and reception are at the same location. Make sure you know your budget, what's important to you - and what isn't.

Forgetting What a Wedding Really Is
The wedding ceremony is the main event - the reception is just a celebration of it. Make sure you've put enough thought into the music, readings, and vows that will make your wedding ceremony memorable.

Not Knowing the Master of Ceremonies
There are two people whose personalities are almost as important as the couple getting married - they are the MC of the ceremony (often the officiant) and the MC of the reception (often the DJ or band leader.) Let's face it, if your officiant is boring and dry, your wedding ceremony is going to be boring and dry. And if your DJ is super cheesy, you're going to be doing the chicken dance. Make sure that your personalities mesh well with these two people, and that you feel listened to and respected.

Thinking "It Could Never Rain on MY Wedding Day"
So many couples forget to plan for things going wrong. If you're having an outdoor wedding, make sure that you have an alternate location in case of rain. Give a trusted person a list of vendors, phone numbers, and expected time of arrival so that you won't be caught 10 minutes before the wedding without the bouquets. Bring a bridal emergency kit for last minute snafus.

Forgetting the Meaning of the Word "Budget"
You started off well, figuring how much you could save, how much parents would give, and what you already had in your bank account. But before you knew it, you spent twice what you budgeted for apparel on shoes alone, and the caterers laughed at you when you told them the food budget. At this point, a lot of couples would just throw costs out the window, and wind up starting a new life together thousands of dollars in debt. Instead, use the budget as a tool to figure out what you can cut, what you can save and where other income might come from. Not only will budgeting help you afford your wedding, but it's an important skill for your married life.

Getting Trashed the Night Before the Wedding

Whether your friends have mistakenly planned the bachelor/bachelorette parties for the night before the wedding, or you plan to drink through the rehearsal dinner, the last thing you need is to wake up with a headache, puffy skin, fuzzy head, or worse, an upset stomach. Do yourself a favor, skip drinking the night before.

Being Inconsiderate
Yes, it's your wedding, and your special day. But you need to take other people into consideration as well. After all, a good host puts others needs front and center. Think about what you are asking. Is what you need the wedding party to do fair? Have you been clear about your expectations about level of commitment? Will your guests be forced to stand around for over an hour while you take pictures? Will they be comfortable in the weather or have you thought to provide bottles of water, fans, and/or wraps and heaters? Do guests know what to expect? Are you planning your wedding for a holiday weekend when most of your in-town guests wish they could get out of town?

Not Involving Your Better Half
It is 21st century. Wedding planning can and should be the domain of both people, rather than just de facto delegated to the bride. I suggest setting aside a regular weekly meeting time to talk about new ideas, research that you've done, and set wedding-related goals for the next week.

Losing Perspective
Don't forget to keep your eye on what's really important to you. Don't get bogged down in so many small details that you don't spend enough time on what's important. If something goes wrong, try your best to take deep breaths and think about the big picture. Above all, keep your sense of humor!