Ana Carolina Zuin, Erased Studio
Photography: Tom Barreto, Eline Willaert
Planning a wedding is exciting, but it’s no secret that it can come with its challenges. It’s a big project, and even the most prepared couples can hit a few bumps along the way. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We asked top wedding planners to reveal the most common mistakes couples make during wedding planning—so you can learn from others’ lessons and enjoy a stress-free celebration.
Fit For Weddings, Tudo é Festa
Photography: Diego de Rando, Dias De Vino Y Rosas
Choosing a Venue
Before Hiring a Planner
Jumping headfirst into venue hunting might feel like the natural first step, but it’s a classic wedding planning pitfall. Based in Italy, Italian Weddings & Events specializes in curating seamless celebrations and have seen too many couples fail to consider the bigger picture when striving for their dream wedding. The founder, Andrea Naar Alba, shares: "One of the most common mistakes couples make is securing a venue before consulting with a professional wedding planner. While it might seem logical to pick a location first, it can lead to complications down the line. A planner can help assess whether the venue aligns with your overall vision, guest count, and logistical requirements. Additionally, some venues come with hidden costs or restrictions that a planner can identify and negotiate upfront, potentially saving the couples from costly surprises."
Italian Weddings & Events, Roma & Riko Studio
Photography: Maddy Christina Photo, Julia Fisiuk
Not Following the Planning Order
When it comes to wedding planning, prioritization is key—because let’s face it, picking peonies before securing a venue is like buying curtains for a house that doesn’t exist. Mark Niemierko, London’s go-to luxury wedding planner, knows this all too well: "Think of planning a wedding like building a house from scratch. You would not go shopping for cushions or curtains without laying the foundations. Without a venue—your basic foundation of the planning—you will not know a date, let alone a location, and also what décor will fit. I see couples asking about flowers, photographers, and bands before we even have a date. Get the bore-snore logistics done first, to then lead you into the fun creative."
Skipping a Backup Plan for Outdoor Weddings
A dreamy outdoor wedding is all fun and romance—until Mother Nature decides to RSVP with a storm. Farhan Fallahifiroozi of Wedding Erah, a Dallas-based wedding planning company, knows that a backup plan isn’t just a precaution, it’s a necessity that is often overlooked: "Outdoor weddings can be breathtaking, but they also come with unpredictable weather. Not having a solid contingency plan can add unnecessary stress—or even disrupt the event. Preparing for every scenario ensures your celebration runs smoothly, no matter what nature has in store."
Mimosa Posy Studio, Wedding Erah
Photography: Nawaphon Present, Megan Kay Photography
Not Setting a Realistic
Budget Early On
A wedding budget without a plan is like a champagne tower with a shaky base—one wrong move, and things start spilling over. Italian Weddings & Events stress the importance of financial foresight: "Many couples dive into the planning process without a clear understanding of what their dream wedding might cost. This can lead to overspending on certain elements and having to compromise on others later. A planner can guide couples in creating a realistic budget, helping them allocate funds wisely and ensuring all priorities are met without financial stress."
Failing to See the Big Picture
A wedding budget isn’t just about booking the dream venue, but also about factoring in everything from the champagne to the chair cushions. Ashley Smith, a California-based planner and founder of Ashley Smith Events, warns that neglecting the smaller details can lead to big headaches later on: "Many couples don't know how—or have the instinct—to look at a budget for their wedding from a super zoomed-out perspective. They focus on the venue and a few other key details right away, but don't often account for all of the tiny things that will also have to be squeezed into their budget at some point. This can cause many headaches down the road."
EL AMOR Productions, Ashley Smith Events
Photography: Merceditas Bridal, La Dichosa
Neglecting Real-Life Logistics
The magic of a dream wedding location can quickly fade when real-life logistics come crashing in. Ashley Smith Events, experts in destination weddings, have seen it many times: "Overlooking real-life factors that could affect your wedding location can lead to unexpected challenges. As destination event planners, we’ve seen many couples struggle when they don’t consult a planner—especially when they fail to consider guests’ budgets for travel or other logistical hurdles that could impact attendance."
Getting Caught Up in the Details
While the details matter, prioritize the essentials first. "The details are important—I’m not discrediting them. But don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Secure the larger-scale items first, such as catering, production, entertainment, and flowers. Then, you can focus on details like monogrammed napkins and bespoke matches for the smoking area," reminds Mark Niemierko.
Photography: Dos Mas En La Mesa, Pavel Golubnichy
Overlooking the Guest Experience
A visually stunning wedding is great, but if your guests are uncomfortable, all the beauty in the world won’t save the day. Wedding Erah emphasizes that guest experience should always be top of mind: "While aesthetics are important, don’t forget to prioritize guest comfort. Long waits, overcrowded seating, or unclear directions can leave guests feeling frustrated, no matter how beautiful the event is. Thoughtful planning ensures your guests feel cared for and engaged throughout the celebration."
Ignoring Vendor Compatibility
Booking a vendor based only on their work or rates is tempting, but true success lies in finding the right fit for vision. Experts in flawless event planning, Italian Weddings & Events explain: "It’s easy to book a vendor solely based on their portfolio or price, but not every vendor will suit your style or personality. A planner’s insight is invaluable when it comes to finding the right team that aligns with your vision and ensures a harmonious collaboration."
Photography: Dos Mas En La Mesa, Nimeriko
Assuming DIY is
More Cost-Effective
Thinking DIY is always cheaper? Think again—your time is just as valuable as your suppliers’, and it might be costing you more than you realize. Mark Niemierko puts it plainly: "Factor in your own labour and time away from your day job—it is likely costing you more. Your time has value, just like your suppliers'."
Trying to Please Everyone Else
Trying to please everyone else might leave you with a wedding that feels more like a crowd-pleaser than a celebration of your love. Wedding Erah reminds couples: "It’s natural to want your family and friends to be happy, but prioritizing their opinions over your own can lead to a wedding that doesn’t feel authentic to your love story. Remember, this day is about you as a couple—stay true to your vision and what’s meaningful to you."
Flower Disco, Mimosa Posy Studio
Photography: Alex Mari
