For all the joys of getting married, there’s no denying that, in terms of both time and money, it’s not exactly a cheap endeavour. Throw in the once in a lifetime day and you have an event that most people are desperate to get right.

The good news is that while there’s certainly no shortage of potential wedding pitfalls, most are easily avoided. The key to doing so is incredibly simple, you just need to know about them in advance.

Should you find yourself both engaged and with the big day fast approaching, here are ten things not to do when it finally gets here.

1. Forget to make a video

Most people wouldn’t dream of getting married without a photographer but a surprising number are perfectly happy to do away with the wedding video. Make no mistake, a wedding video will be something that you cherish for years to come. And thanks to recent technological advances, it’s never been easier to get near professional results on an amateur budget.

2. Make the guests wait for food

Hungry guests are grumpy guests and they also have a strange habit of getting drunk. While there’s certainly no need to rush the proceedings, if the meal isn’t scheduled for quite some time, finger food is very much recommended. The only thing worse than leaving your wedding guests standing around is making them do so on an empty stomach.

3. Get caught in the rain

Another surprisingly easy way to find yourself with very unhappy wedding guests is attempting to get married in the rain. An outdoor ceremony might be tempting but it’s only a logical choice if you live somewhere with highly predictable weather. Unless you’re a hundred percent certain that you’re getting sunshine, don’t bet your wedding day on it.

4. Charge for drinks

Regardless of how many bridal magazines say it’s a bad idea, some brides still think it’s ok to charge their guests for alcohol. Cash bars and weddings simply don’t belong in the same sentence. It’s akin to inviting people to your home and then putting price tags on the fridge. Contrary to popular belief, a paid bar doesn’t have to break the bank either. There’s no rule that says you can’t limit people to beer and wine. You just can’t ask them to pay for it.

5. Shout at the bridesmaids

Bridesmaids have been a wedding tradition for centuries, lately however, it’s becoming increasingly common for brides to focus a little too much on the maid part. Weddings are stressful and losing your temper every now and then is only natural. But do try to keep in mind that your bridesmaids are your friends, not your slaves.

6. Spend time around people you don’t like

In the past, it was generally expected that parents would pay for the ceremony. And in return, they were allowed to run wild with the guest list. Queue brides and grooms being surrounded by strangers. Nowadays however, things have changed. If you’re the only person paying for your wedding, you’re the only person who has a say in who gets invited. Don’t be pushed into inviting guests that you don’t want.

7. Forget to delegate

Regardless of how talented you are when it comes to wedding planning, last minute problems never fail to make an appearance. The correct way to deal with such problems is to get somebody else to deal with them. Delegate to your bridesmaids. On the morning of her wedding, a brides responsibilities should both start and end with her hair and makeup. Trust me, those tasks are stressful enough.

8. Show up on empty

Most brides have the common sense not to party the night before their wedding. Unfortunately however, having the sense to eat a good breakfast is a little less common. Butterflies thrive on hunger. No bride should walk down the aisle on an empty stomach. The same logic applies to water, drink plenty of it and keep yourself hydrated.

9. Drink too much

It is your party and you can drink if you want to but as the saying goes, there’s nothing tackier than a drunk bride. Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event (hopefully) and it’s something that you’ve invested so much time and money in. Wouldn’t it be nice if you actually remembered it?

10. Try to be perfect

Finally, there’s the small matter of perfectionism, don’t waste your time on it. There’s no such thing as the perfect wedding day. And trying to create one is something that leads to nothing but stress and disappointment. What matters is who you marry, not how many times you stutter while saying your vows.

Today’s guest author, Karen Fernandes, is a freelance blogger who enjoys sharing her ideas and experiences online. She enjoys dancing and working out in her free time. You can follow her on Twitter for more information.

Danielle Nicole Barr (142 Posts)

Danielle has had the privilege of working on a variety of publications from magazines to books, and topics from food & travel to home & garden (to weddings!). Currently she works on the digital side of best-selling beading and jewelry magazines. Danielle enjoys everything Milwaukee has to offer and lives near Miller Park with her husband, Alex, and adorable rescue-pup, Hutson.