Unrealistic Wedding Planning involves creating an elaborate, over-the-top wedding beyond the means of the couple or their families. It may include a grand ballroom, a horse-drawn carriage, a three-course dinner, and a full band. The bride and groom will likely have multiple costume changes, and the guests may be treated to a fireworks display. Every detail should be carefully planned, from the grand entrance to the cake cutting. The couple may even choose to have exotic animals at the ceremony or reception. It is essential to remember that this type of planning is expensive and may be challenging to pull off. However, this wedding can be a truly memorable experience for those with the means.
The wedding day should be the happiest day of the bride’s life. Of course, she wants the planning and wedding to go smoothly and without any pretense.
As a wedding planner, you know a lot is involved in the planning. It would help if you so got everything under control from the start. In particular, you need to have a realistic timeline early – as soon as your client gets hired!
It is something that many wedding planners don’t advise, so it gives you a chance to stand out from the competition.
An unrealistic wedding planning timeline will cause a lot of stress. Of course, that’s the last thing you need as a wedding planner responsible for the event’s success.
8 tips to get organized for the big day
Usually, you see wedding schedules that span 12 months, and most don’t include any plan for the actual engagement. As soon as your clients are hired, share these 8 tips with them:
- Advise your customers to secure the engagement ring. Not doing this could mean tears for the bride and groom!
- Set up a budget for planning the event and other expenses. Get this early, and it helps set realistic expectations for you and your customers.
- Advise your customers to post good news (and new status) on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media. But make sure everyone who should hear the news personally has been called first. It’s surprising how many people need to remember this!
- Hire the groom to get a manicure, so the ring looks its best.
- Work out two or three potential wedding dates. It will help you later when you need to book the wedding date with your clients based on several factors like…
- We are narrowing down and checking the availability of possible wedding venues.
- Check wedding photographer availability – remember that many are booked over 12 months in advance.
- I am picking and checking the availability of the efficient.
During the engagement, some couples choose to install wedding materials. It helps them keep everyone updated with venue and hotel information, a code email, a link to their donation registry, and more.
After the engagement, your wedding planning timeline will likely be a 12-month plan. To work it out, you first need to list everything you need to plan for the wedding, then slot each thing into the right place on your timeline.
A typical environment during a wedding transition period
Here are 6 specific milestones you can add to your wedding schedule:
- 10-12 months – determine the number of guests and send out save-the-day cards. Once you know how many guests you will be inviting, book a venue.
- 6-8 months – I was shopping for wedding dresses, shoes, and accessories, booking hotel rooms for out-of-town guests, and ordering music for the ceremony.
- 4-6 months – Offers wedding stationery, book transport, and book a honeymoon.
- 2-4 months – send out the wedding, check the menu information at the hotel or restaurant, and plan a rehearsal time.
- 1-2 months – buy the guest book, prepare the seating plan, and confirm the final guest count with your suppliers.
- 1 week – complete and confirm transportation arrangements, ceremony rehearsal takes place, and plan reception seating schedule.
You can see how quickly a year will go by and why an unrealistic wedding planning timeline could cause a lot of stress for you and your clients. Be prepared and always have a plan B in place for last-minute problems.
It’s all about getting organized and getting things in shape. By advising your customers on what to do with their initial engagement, you’ll have a happy couple and an advantage over your competition, too.
Conclusion
Unrealistic wedding planning can have many negative consequences for the bride and groom. It can lead to high levels of stress, anxiety, and disappointment. Unrealistic expectations can cause couples to go over budget and spend more than they can afford. It can also lead to arguments and disagreements between the couple, their families, and wedding vendors. Unrealistic wedding planning can also lead to a wedding day that could be better. Couples should take time planning their wedding to ensure that their expectations are realistic and that they can afford the wedding they desire.