Five Planning Mistakes Couples Often Make (and How to Avoid Them)
No one sets out to make mistakes when planning their wedding. But in between Pinterest boards, vendor meetings, social media feeds and family or friend group chats, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and even easier to make a few missteps without realising it.
The good news? Most of these planning pitfalls are totally avoidable with a little guidance. Here are the five we see most often — and how you can steer clear of them while planning a celebration that feels so you.
Booking Vendors Out of Order
Getting caught up in details (like florals, cake, or signage) before confirming the big foundations — like venue and budget can make your planning so much harder. Its important to get your big decisions sorted first, so you can start to see your wedding day coming together before you consider the detailed items.
Start with the non-negotiables. Your venue and budget will shape so many of your other decisions — from how many guests you can invite, the time of year your wedding will take place in to what kind of styling fits the space. Once the major pieces are in place, the fun creative stuff becomes much easier (and less stressful).
Trying to Please Everyone
Making decisions based on what other people want — or what you think you “should” do — instead of what actually feels good for you as a couple is never a good idea.
Remember, it’s your day. Whether that means writing your own vows, serving your cake in the afternoon (or no cake at all!), or hosting a midweek wedding with 30 guests — the most memorable weddings are always the ones that reflect the couple at the heart of it all.
Overcomplicating the Day
Squeezing in every possible idea, tradition, and activity that you come across not only leads to a lot of overwhelm but you also run the risk of your wedding lacking cohesion and feeling disjointed. You are aiming for all the elements to work together and tie together.
Simplify where you can. Do fewer things, but do them well. Think about how you want your day to feel, and plan around that. Leave space in the timeline for real moments — the deep breaths, the hugs, the champagne.
Memorable doesn’t mean jam-packed.
Failing to Create a Budget
One of the biggest mistakes couples make early on is diving into planning without setting a clear, realistic budget. It’s easy to get swept up in beautiful ideas and dream vendors — but without creating a budget first, costs can quickly spiral. A well-thought-out budget isn’t about limiting your vision; it’s about making intentional choices that align with your priorities.
It gives you confidence in your decisions, helps avoid last-minute panic, and ensures you're not left with post-wedding regrets. No matter the size, start with crunching the numbers — and adjust your plans from there.
Trying to Run the Day Yourself
Tempted to try and coordinate the entire day yourself? Or thinking you’ll just “wing it” on the day because you know your plan inside out? This is a big mistake and one that leads many couples into being so busy on the day that you don’t actually get to relax and be in the moment on your own wedding day. You don’t get to enjoy all the plans you’ve painstakingly organised because you are racing around trying to sort all the details and logistics.
Even the most organised couples need someone else to take the reins once the day arrives. When you're the one answering vendor calls, cueing the music, or reminding your MC what’s next, you’re not in your wedding — you’re managing it. And that’s not what the day is about.
Handing over the logistics to a professional means you can actually enjoy all the beautiful moments you’ve worked so hard to create — without being the point person, timekeeper, or problem-solver. That’s our job. Your only job? Be present, be in love, and soak it all in.
Final Thoughts
Weddings are full of beauty, emotion, and logistics — and no one expects you to know how to navigate it all perfectly. But with the right support, a clear plan, and a bit of breathing space, it really can be joyful and stress-free.
And if you’re already thinking “I wish someone could just take over from here,” we’ve got you.
Need help avoiding these planning mistakes?
Our On the Day Coordination service is made for couples like you — who’ve done the work, but want a calm, capable expert to carry it across the finish line.
At The Wedding Scene, our On the Day Coordination service is designed exactly for couples like you — the ones who’ve done the work and now want someone to carry it across the finish line.
We step in 4–6 weeks out, take the reins, and bring all your plans together. No stress. No surprises. Just calm, capable support behind the scenes while you soak in every single moment.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call and let’s chat about how we can help!