I get paid to be listened to. However, that doesn’t stop some of my clients from listening to their own advice, despite my years of experience to the contrary. Trust me on these, your wedding and your sanity will be better for it.

1. Don’t invite more guests than you can actually afford to have accept your invitation. Invite those who really matter to you instead of going into debt over acquaintances who don’t make a difference in your life. Inviting too many unnecessary guests is a regret many brides have when looking back at their wedding day.

1. Avoid the “gift grab” by padding your invitation list with more guests. It can be easily recognized by guests – so, send announcements instead.

1. If you’re using a wedding planner, don’t start interviewing and hiring vendors on your own first. Most wedding planners have vendors that they prefer working with. Not only this, but they can typically get great discounts with vendors since they are regular customers. Wedding planners are also experienced with how their vendors function, so you will avoid surprises.

1. Don’t designate a friend or family member as a “go-between” for you and the planner because you are too busy. Miscommunications can be left unchecked and time can be wasted. No matter how well your friend knows you, there may be a lot of discrepancies between the dream wedding you have in your head and what your friend thinks you want.

1. Don’t start buying party accessories before you commit to a design theme. Frivolous spending adds up; you could spend that money on wedding priorities instead. Besides, your wedding planner will know the best sources for wedding decor and typically get the best deals.

1. Don’t be too casual about bridesmaid attire – you do not want to realize on your wedding day how “off” everything looks. Give your bridesmaids guidance to ensure cohesion without being overly restrictive.

1. Don’t give your wedding party gifts that they have no use for – the not-so-subtle way of accessorizing your party of giving useless wedding favors.

1. That being said… don’t skip the gift registry. Some bridal couples skip the registry hoping to get cash instead. This is very bad etiquette. If a guest wants to give you cash, they will. If you don’t want gifts, consider letting everyone know on your invitation, “Your presence is our present”. Here are some wedding gift ideas for your registry.

1. Don’t invite your same guests to repetitive events, i.e. multiple bridal showers, unless they are immediate families are friends. For most people, it will come off looking like another gift grab.

1. Follow the plan your wedding planner told you to follow. Procrastination on important milestones (e.g., hiring a DJ, booking the caterer in time) sets you up for major stress down the line. Believe me, time passes quickly when wedding planning, and before you know it, you’ll have other responsibilities on your plate (read: bachelorette parties, thank you notes, hair, makeup, and everything else…). Don’t let your wedding planning come back to haunt you.

If you are ready to start planning the wedding of your dream, the wedding designers at Forever Events can help. Contact us today to get started.