Common Wedding Advice to Avoid Mistakes when planning an Affordable Wedding in Eastern NC.
- Butterfly Kisses Pavilion
- May 21
- 6 min read
Wedding planning doesn't have to be overwhelming. There often are many details to manage. Keeping track of all of these details and proper planning can help make all the elements of your wedding day come together, whether you are planning a big extravagant celebration or an intimate gathering of your close family and friends. Unfortunately, mistakes are common when planning an affordable wedding in Eastern NC as we are human, but many can be avoided with proper preparation. As a small business and locally owned wedding venue, we see couples struggle from time to time but it's ok, it's not like you are planning a wedding every weekend like we do hear at Butterfly Kisses Pavilion in Newport, NC.
Key Wedding Advice for First-Time Planners
One primary mistake many couples make is not starting their planning early enough especially if you have a ton of details and elements you want to have as a part of your wedding day. It’s easy to underestimate how much time is needed to book venues, hire vendors, shop for your wedding dress, decide on décor, and work out the final details. This does not mean you cannot plan a wedding in a short period of time and tackle all of wants and needs for your big day.
For example, if your wedding is during peak season, venues and top wedding vendors may be booked a year in advance. Couples often plan for a brief engagement, wanting to enjoy their time together first. However, giving yourself ample time can save stress and possibly even money, as booking early may lead to better rates. Plus, there isn't really a one stop shop for wedding venues & professionals within local communities. Shopping for these services consist of researching (often online), connecting, and communicating with small business owners & gig workers. Locally owned wedding venues in Eastern NC can often be the main source to connecting you to wedding vendors but you still have to dedicate the time to shop the wedding services important to you and your partner.
Another common oversight is not setting and sticking to a budget. Many couples are seeking to have an affordable wedding. Without a clear financial plan in place, couples can easily overspend, leading to unnecessary financial stress. It’s recommended to break down the budget into different categories, such as venue, catering, and attire, and prioritize where to allocate the most funds. Couples planning a wedding should do this no matter the size or elements included in their wedding day.
Keep track of all expenses as they come in. Using an app or even a simple spreadsheet can be a great way to manage these details. After all, you want to enjoy a beautiful wedding, but you also want to start a marriage without financial burdens.
Ignoring the Guest List Impact when planning an Affordable Wedding in Eastern NC.
When creating your wedding guest list, it's important to consider the impact it has on both your venue selection and budget. Many couples make the mistake of estimating the number of guests without understanding how it can affect their overall planning.
For example, not accounting for the total number of guests ahead of time can lead to unexpected expenses with guest count add on costs with your venue, caterer, cake caterer, flower services, and even more. Your guest count has a direct correlation to your budget and your wedding venue's capabilities. Many couples do not realize how big their family and their friends list is until they start planning a wedding. Very quickly couples planning a wedding learn that their guest count is a huge component of their wedding planning process and budget.
What is the 30-5 Minute Rule for Weddings?
A common wedding planning mistake is last-minute rushes. One helpful guideline is the "30-5 minute rule." This rule suggests that for every significant moment during your wedding day, there should be at least 30 minutes allocated for setup and 5 minutes for execution.
This applies to aspects such as setting up the ceremony space, arranging seating for guests, or even for photos. For example, if you want to ensure the bride and groom’s first look is captured, allow 30 minutes for the setting of that moment and another 5 minutes for the actual picture.
Properly planning these timeframes ensures that you avoid the pressure of rushing from one activity to another. Stress can detract from your enjoyment, so take this approach to enhance the experience for both you and your guests. An easy solution to not truly having to work calculate this rule is to hire a wedding planner or at the very least a wedding day manager (aka a day of coordinator).
Overlooking Vendor Contracts
One common mistake is failing to read and understand vendor contracts thoroughly. Contracts protect both parties, but many couples skim them or miss key details.
For example, check cancellation policies, payment schedules, and what happens in the case of emergencies. Misunderstandings can lead to unexpected costs or unfulfilled services. Always take the time to review these documents and don’t hesitate to ask questions. Another great way to navigate this process is to hire a wedding planner. A wedding planner can help you review contracts to determine if there are in any things to consider in the vendors that you are hiring to ensure that your wedding day is complete with the services and details you are hiring vendors for. If you hire from a locally owned wedding venue's preferred wedding vendors list you may also find that all of the items are covered. Choosing from preferred wedding vendors list is in your best interests as often times these wedding vendors are professional and come vetted and many are on this list because couples consistently hire them because they not only meet the needs of the wedding day but they leave less room for error or issues.
Neglecting Self-Care
Amid the chaos of wedding planning, self-care often falls to the wayside. Stress can manifest in various ways, including physical and emotional exhaustion. Wedding planning is suppose to be a fun experience. Shopping for the detail of your day, personalizing a celebration of you and your partner is exciting and fun. I have found that the couples that love their wedding day the most, often took time to take care of themselves throughout their planning process and they didn't stress all the details.
Hiring wedding professionals can alleviate a ton of stress, and allowing them to do what you hired them to do paired with a date night with your partner or taking time to do you favorite thing by yourself can help keep you balanced. Even setting aside a planning schedule so you don't spend every moment stressing the details. A wedding is about starting a life together, and you want to be in the best state of mind to embrace this new chapter.
Share tasks with your partner and rely on your support system of friends and family. This makes the process more enjoyable and allows you to delegate responsibilities, reducing your overall stress.
Final Tips for a Successful Wedding Planning Experience
As you navigate your wedding planning process, remember that mistakes are part of the process, but many can be easily avoided.
Here are a few final tips:
Do your research: Investigate different venues, vendors, and styles. Knowledge is power.
Keep an open line of communication: Discuss planning details regularly with your partner, so you're both on the same page.
Embrace flexibility: Sometimes things won’t go as planned. Stay adaptable and remind yourself that the goal is to celebrate love.
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Approach your wedding with intention. With the right preparation, it can be one of the most memorable days of your life, free from unnecessary stress and mistakes. Happy planning!
Thank you so much for stopping by our blog, we hope you found this information helpful. We want to use our blog to increase awareness and support for locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned wedding venues tend to provide a higher level of expertise, service and dedication. As you plan your wedding we hope you will consider a locally owned wedding venue like ours. While Butterfly Kisses Pavilion is a New Bern Wedding Venue, You can find locally owned wedding venues on this wedding venue map across the United States. Below is a shout out to fellow locally owned wedding venues around the country!
Here at Butterfly Kisses Pavilion, we also love & support our local professionals within the wedding industry! Thank you to Beaufort Photography Co. for capturing these beautiful moments & images at our wedding venue in the Crystal Coast area & New Bern area of North Carolina!
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