5 overlooked things when planning a wedding

As someone who has been through the process of planning a wedding, I can say firsthand that it can be overwhelming to think about all the little details. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all and forget about some of the more practical aspects of the big day. Here’s my list of the top 5 overlooked things when planning a wedding…

Budget and Cost Overruns

If you're anything like me, you're probably in full-on wedding planning mode, thinking about all the extra details and embellishments you want for your big day, without taking into consideration how much it will all cost. Trust me, I've been there! Once you've established your budget, it's a great idea to put aside a contingency fund in case of unexpected expenses. I learned the hard way - I put aside an additional £1,000, and ended up spending £400 on emergency tablecloths because the ones that arrived were too small for our tables. I never thought I’d be driving around London 4-days before my big day trying to find tablecloths!

Parking

Don't forget about the oh-so-exciting topic of parking. Check with the venue to make sure there's enough room for all your loved ones to park their cars. Otherwise, you might have to organise some shuttle buses, which is an additional cost you could do without. And with most guests wanting to enjoy a drink and leave their cars overnight, double check with the venue what time collection needs to be in the morning.

Group Shots

Something that really helped our wedding day go smoothly was giving our photographer a list of group shots. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget about all the specific group photos you wanted. So, make a list beforehand and give it to your photographer or a trusted member of the wedding party to make sure you don't miss any special moments. That way, when it is time for the group shots, everyone can be rounded up in an organised fashion and you can spend more time eating and drinking with your wonderful guests.

Emergency Wedding Kit

It's a good idea to have a bag packed with essentials such as safety pins, Band-Aids, a sewing kit and any other items you might need in a pinch. This can save you a lot of stress if something unexpected comes up on the big day. Perhaps you can ask an organised member of your bridal/groom party to put the kit together and place behind the bar. Here are some of the things I included: deodorant, mini-perfume, lip gloss, blister plasters, mints, anti-shine powder and a comb.

Separate E-mail

Lastly, it's a good idea to set up a separate email address for wedding-related communications. This can help keep all of your wedding-related emails organised and in one place, and it's easier to share with your partner or wedding planner.