You might think that you have it all covered, and you will have the perfect wedding, just like you imagined when you were a small girl. Still, things can, and will, go wrong at weddings. From flower arrangements to last minute cancellations, weather disasters, accidents, and food poisoning, you have to make sure that you are making precautions, so your guests will not remember the disasters of your wedding, but you walking down the aisle and looking gorgeous and happy. To help you avoid wedding day disasters, you will find a few things to look out for below.
Weather
While everyone tries to check the weather forecast before choosing a wedding date, predictions are becoming less and less reliable. Therefore, it is best to be prepared. Even if you would like a beach wedding, make sure you have the use of an indoor venue, just in case. While it might not be raining, it could be too windy to take good photos and enjoy the outdoors. You need to have a Plan B for when the weather does its worst.
Dress
Of course, you spend a lot of time making sure that you look fab in your new dress, but things might go wrong. If it gets stained or ripped during the night, it can ruin your wedding. Make sure that you are checking the seams and let the dress out in case you need that little bit of extra space, instead of feeling uncomfortable on the big day. You should try it on every week until the wedding, to make sure it is the perfect fit, and the stitching will last the entire day and more. Have an alternative dress just in case an accident happens and yours gets stained, so you can change instead of having to hide from your guests.
Cancellations
There is nothing worse than finding out that your venue is double booked, or you will not have the wedding cake ready on time. Don’t panic. You should always have an emergency plan, so you can deal with the little disasters. Keep your options open and ask for a written confirmation of all the services you ordered, so you can chase the contractors and confirm the services closer to the date.
Entertainment
You should check the music taste and preferences of your guests before you choose your wedding band. While the day should be all about you, it is also important that your guests are enjoying themselves. Check out a list of live bands and entertainment available, and contact at least five of them to get a quote and details about their availability. Ask for a live performance demo and check whether or not they have all the sound equipment or you have to hire it.
Misbehaving Bridesmaids
Your bridesmaids can cause trouble at your wedding, if you don’t set clear standards for them. Avoid inviting party animals to be your helpers, as they are more likely to have too much to drink and embarrass you in front of your friends and family members. When it comes to choosing bridesmaids, vetting is essential.
Spelling Mistakes
It is important that you pay attention to every detail when approving your wedding decoration and stationary. You don’t want your name spelt wrong, or an invitation to be full of mistakes. From the signs to the name cards, you want everything to be just perfect. Check the spelling of your guests’ names, and double check everything to avoid embarrassment.
Guests Getting Lost
Some people automatically assume that the venue of their wedding is easy to find, and cause a lot of trouble. Add a postcode and SatNav direction to the invitations, so you don’t have to spend time trying to help your guests find your party. It is also a good idea to include a photo of the exterior, so your guests will find you without problems.
Food
When you have too much or not enough food for your guests, it can cause a lot of problems. It is always better to order more, but you don’t want to live on the leftovers for days after your wedding. You should also include meals that are suitable for people with special dietary needs and food allergies. As a minimum, make sure you have gluten free cakes and rolls and lactose free milk.
Parking and Transport
One of the things people forget to check is whether there are enough parking spaces at the venue available for free for all guests. Even if most of your guests will get back home by taxi, they might want to leave their cars behind and collect them the following day. Some of your guests might not have a car, and they will have to either use public transport or share a car or taxi with others. It is a good idea to help your guests find their ideal transport to your party.
Photography
Not hiring the right photographer can have negative consequences. Your wedding photos are important, and you want to be proud of them when you show your kids and grandkids how beautiful the day was. You should always check the portfolio of the wedding photographer, and plan rehearsals, so you can choose the right lighting and background, location together. The last thing you want to do is relying on your guests’ mobile phone photos to create a montage, as the professional photographs are not acceptable.
Even if you are certain that you have paid attention to every detail about your wedding, things can go wrong. You should think with your project management hat on, and make sure that you are choosing the right companies and contractors to manage your party and your event. Always ask for samples and portfolios and get your orders confirmed in writing to avoid disappointments. Check every small detail; the fitting of the dress, the weather forecast, and the gluten free options on the menu, as well as the spelling of the invitations, signs, and name cards.
