Wedding Mistakes - Part 3

Wedding Mistakes, there are many! We've been passing them along and here is Part 3. 

Mistake 9: You Skip on Bridal Gifts

You love these people. Your attendants love you too. They are going to spend on their wedding attire, whether bought or rented, travel, gifts, ask for time off and they are going to spend their precious time helping you, laughing with you, consoling you and celebrating with you. Some attendants spend up to $1000, so discuss what makes sense, but BUY SOMETHING TANGIBLE. Whether it's $75 or $150 for each, do something to remind them that you love them and appreciate them. 

Mistake 10: You Don't Feed Your Vendors

Yes, the bride and vendor relationship is transactional, but it often becomes personal because of the occasion and because you've put your trust in these folks. Please, PLEASE we beg you, TREAT THEM with more than money. Make sure that your planner, photographers, DJ and band, set up crew and others are given a little to go box or an extra love up in the form of food or a snack. They need sustenance too. 

Mistake 11: You Don't Treat Your Single Friends Well

This one is important, as it will say a LOT about how thoughtful a bride you are. Seat people at tables based on their shared interests, hobbies, lifestyles, etc. Don't dump all of your single friends at one table in the hope that some wild Fate Fairy will make a love match or they can all commiserate together. Single folks are interesting, fun and can hold their own, so don't group folks based on marital status. If you have a single friend who is like family, seat them with members of your family who will adore them as you do.

Mistake 12: You Set a Boring, Predictable Table

There is nothing wrong with tradition, so if you have a theme in mind and the place settings, flowers, candles, etc are part of that holistic vision: go for it. But we've all seen boring. A sit down dinner means coming up with ways to make the space and tables interesting and unique while still allowing guests to see each other and chat. If you're serving a buffet, keep the centerpieces fun. But the rule to remember when setting unpredictable tables is to use different shaped tables, add fun colors of napkins, flatware, candles and floral arrangements and mix it up.

Mistakes 13 & 14: The Written Word

Mistake 13 is forgetting how important it is to use paper. Send paper invitations. Yes, the digital age has been here for 2 decades, but a paper invitation, save the date card and thank you note say soooooooooooooo much about your style and character. Just do it. You will not regret it.

Mistake 14 is sending your Thank You Notes too late. You have a year, but pretend like you only have a quarter of that. Get them done in under 3 months and the love from your guests (who gave you gifts and celebrated you) will flow. Hand write them and get 'em in the mail. 

Keep your eyes peeled for another blog with more mistakes to avoid. 
Yes........... there are pitfalls with planning and executing a wedding, but avoiding those is what Bridal Traditions is here to help with.