Top Wedding Planning Mistakes That Cost Thousands of Dollars

Weddings are elaborate events that require a considerable amount of planning, design and production by an entire team of people to pull off. From focusing on general elements like the venue and hotel block to more minute aspects like napkins and cutlery, celebrating nuptials requires paying attention to countless details, most of which cost money. While some components are more expensive than others, all major purchases quickly add up. The average price couples pay to hold this great celebration? $33,000, according to a report Forbes.

While planning a wedding is a huge financial task, a portion of the total bill often comprises unnecessary costs. Heather Balliet, founder and lead wedding planner at Amorology, estimates that couples spend eight to 10 percent more money than they need to on their special day. For an average wedding (the aforementioned $33,000), that’s an extra $2,640 to $3,300 you could put toward other important investments, like a honeymoon to an exotic location or a down payment on your new home.

Since organizing your nuptials is an unfamiliar process with many moving parts, soon-to-be newlyweds tend to spend money on items they think they need. Some, according to Amy Abbott, owner of Amy Abbott Events, want to go all out for this once-in-a-lifetime event, causing them to spend too much on extravagant floral arrangements, invitations, gifts and other details. Plus, given the number of costly planning decisions couples must make, many lose track of how much money they’ve already spent, resulting in a larger bill. Indecision is also to blame, according to Lea Stafford, founder and director of Stafford Creative Co.

Fortunately, it is entirely possible to host the event of your dreams without wasting your money. We asked three professional wedding planners to reveal the top wedding planning mistakes that cost couples thousands of dollars. Keep scrolling to learn about these costly mistakes.

Giving up a wedding planner

One of the biggest errors that the invoice accumulates? Execute your vision without a wedding planner by your side, according to Balliet. Since these professionals are industry experts with years of experience under their belts, they have a wealth of knowledge about what planning expenses are worth and what is worthless.

Although hiring a wedding planner costs around $2,000, you’ll end up saving more money in the long run because the vendor will steer you away from costly decisions that have a negligible or counterproductive impact on your big day. Although you might think he’s making a financially sound decision by foregoing a planner, going it alone (without the same level of knowledge about wedding-related expenses) will likely hurt his budget.

Making costly decisions without first hiring a planner

Even if you hire the services of a wedding planner, it is still possible to spend unnecessary money on your evening. That’s because couples often make other costly decisions—like securing the venue, choosing entertainment, and hiring other members of their vendor team—before booking their planner, Abbott explains.

Selecting a planner should be one of the first wedding planning items on your checklist for many reasons, but since they guide you toward cost-effective options, provide information on additional fees you may not be familiar with, and help you translate the jargon before signing contracts. , booking them from the beginning will end up saving you a lot of money in the future. “Couples should seek guidance from a planner to understand all potential costs before making commitments,” Abbott advises.

Not setting a budget

Another mistake couples tend to make that breaks the bank? Load your card without reserving a quote. Having a financial plan is essential to keeping your expenses under control, so prioritize your wedding expenses and avoid overspending. Without a budget in place or a budget management system, splurging on extravagant items or spending money on useless items can happen without you realizing it. A year before you get married, determine your priorities and decide who pays for what before allocating your funds.

Forgetting to identify your priorities

Likewise, couples often forget to identify their priorities, so they end up spending an exorbitant amount of money on things they don’t care much about. By discovering the most important elements worth splurging on, you’ll stay on budget and host a wedding that reflects who you are. For example, if music is an important part of your relationship, invest in a great band. Then, to offset costs, reduce other components that are less important to you, such as the menu or flowers.

Stafford emphasizes the importance of deciding what non-negotiables are at the beginning of the planning process. “By trusting your decisions as early as possible, you will not only eliminate the possibility of missing out, but you will also speed up the planning process and avoid unnecessary expenses,” he says.

Inviting too many guests

If you have a large family or a large group of friends, it may be tempting to invite everyone in your circle. However, since you’ll have to pay for each guest’s food and drink, a sizable group usually means a more expensive wedding or forces you to cut back on other noteworthy details. “People say ‘yes’ in large numbers, and you don’t want to eliminate important elements of the wedding or choose a lower-tier beverage package because your guest list has gotten out of hand,” Abbott says. Instead, she suggests taking the time to carefully select and limit your guest list, so your bill is manageable.

Splurging on an excessive number of outfits

Choosing your wedding wardrobe is possibly one of the most fun parts of the wedding planning process. While many brides include multiple outfit changes throughout their celebration, especially for multi-day events, Abbott says purchasing an excessive amount of bridal attire drives up the price of your event. “Today, customers, in some cases, spend more money on their wedding attire for the weekend than the national average for the entire wedding,” Abbott reveals.

To avoid this potential mistake, Abbott recommends limiting the number of outfits to two, whether it’s one set for the ceremony and reception for a single-day event or one for the rehearsal dinner and main event for multiple days of events. She also suggests identifying a budget for each holiday or each day of his wedding weekend and sticking to it.

Including floral installations that exceed your budget

For most couples, flowers are the main decoration that will appear at their wedding. A floral arrangement that has the ability to transform a space, whether suspended from the ceiling or intricately placed on the floor, is a floral installation. Although these floral components are eye-catching, they will quickly add thousands of dollars to your bill. “These items typically don’t offer shortcuts to cost savings,” Abbott notes.

If these lush and meticulous decorative elements fit your budget and are a priority for you, go ahead and invest. Otherwise, you’re better off skipping this flower-filled decor altogether. “Instead, focus on simpler but elegant décor options to maintain a beautiful atmosphere without spending too much and still provide an elegant and curated environment,” says Abbott.

Replicate an expensive decorative element for less

Whether you’re inspired by a friend’s nuptials or a social media post, you may want to replicate a decor or detail that caught your eye. However, if the masterminds behind the original creation had a bigger budget to work with, it may not have the same effect on your wedding, so you’ll end up spending a lot of money without getting the reward. “Without the same resources, expectations are not met and a solution will have to be implemented that has a cost,” says Stafford. He talks to your planner about your vision and he will help you organize something else that aligns with your financial plan.

Choose a large band

One of the most common mistakes that costs thousands of dollars, according to Balliet, is hiring a large band. She notes that by going with a large musical ensemble, you will have to cover the ensuing expenses of additional equipment, additional power, more space, a green room, and other fees.

If music is one of your main concerns and your budget allows for a multi-piece ensemble, then splurging on this item is completely fine. Otherwise, to keep costs down, it might be best to hire a smaller band or select a DJ, Balliet says.

Serving unnecessary late night snacks

For those hosting an after-party, Balliet notes that adding an extensive menu is a common mistake couples make. At this late-night party, your guests will likely be satisfied with the countless appetizers and multi-course meals they just ate, so much of the food you serve in the final phase of the festivities will go to waste. Offering just a couple of culinary options, in any case, is more than enough.