Ten Common Wedding Misconceptions
The entire wedding industry is surrounded by myths, half-truths, and misconceptions. We’re going to debunk ten common misconceptions about wedding planning everyone thinks are true.
I only need a “Day-of” Coordinator
The truth is, ‘day of’ coordinator just doesn’t exist! We can’t imagine walking into a wedding day without any prior organization or meetings and be expected to successfully run a wedding. There are a minimum number of planning hours required in order to properly create an itinerary, set up plan and develop other working documents for all vendors involved, and whether this be 2 months, (more appropriately termed ‘month of’ planning), or 2 years worth of meetings, time needs to be put in well in advance to ensure the success of a wedding day. The average wedding takes over 400 hours to plan and we prefer to be involved right from the beginning, so for that reason we recommend full planning for couples hoping to get the most enjoyment out of their engagement and allow the wedding professionals to handle the rest.
There are a minimum number of planning hours required in order to properly create an itinerary, set up plan and develop other working documents for all vendors involved. Photo by Sugar + Soul Photography
2. The Groom won’t be involved
From our experience, the groom-to-be is in attendance for most, if not all of our meetings and they play an active role in contributing to wedding planning process. We encourage our couples to be equally involved to ensure we are planning a wedding that truly reflects a collective vision and makes both happy and engaged throughout the process!
3. We Don’t Need a Wedding Registry
We get it. Most couples are already living together once they get engaged and they have all the gadgets and utensils they need. While cash is king when it comes to gifts, we find older guests still tend to prefer giving gifts over cash. For this reason, we recommend our couples register for a few items to ensure you receive gifts you will actually use, (or exchange for a handy gift card after the wedding day). This is the time to list big ticket items you wouldn’t normally buy yourselves – a nice BBQ, that high tech vacuum or a new set of lawn furniture if your kitchen is already stocked.
4. Food Stations Will Be Cheaper than Plated Meal
Many couples approach a food station ‘style’ meal with this mentality, but unfortunately this is not true. You still need to order enough portions to satisfy most, if not all of your guests and many of the food stations require a chef attendant, which also adds to the cost. You also need to consider the cost of side plates, forks and napkins or the applicable utensils for each station which adds to the per person fee. Often times, this style of food service is more expensive if not the same cost as plated.
Often times, food station service is more expensive, if not the same cost as plated. Photo by Krista Hawryluk Photography
5. I can plan a wedding for $20, 000
Alas, the weddings you see, save and share on social media are WELL over this figure, regardless of your region. Your wedding vendor team is comprised of professionals who have made their careers in the industry. Each vendor service costs thousands of dollars and thanks to inflation the costs of fuel, staffing and product continues to increase. Based on our market, (Winnipeg Canada) we recommend our couples start their wedding budgets at $40 000 and increase depending on their priorities, like including videographers, band or if their guest count exceeds 100.
Each vendor service costs thousands of dollars and thanks to inflation the costs of fuel, staffing and product continues to increase. Photo by Ariana Tennyson Photography
6. My wedding must be on a Saturday
Thanks to a limited venue inventory in Winnipeg, we book weddings across all days of the week, and while the most popular days are Saturdays, we book plenty of Thursday / Friday and even Sunday weddings. It isn’t the day of the week that dictates the intensity of the party; rather the crowd and energy exuded from the couple. We have experienced epic wedding receptions on Sunday evenings, and quieter celebrations on Saturdays. Saturdays are certainly NOT the only days for a party when it comes to your wedding!
We book plenty of Thursday / Friday and even Sunday weddings! Photo by Aimee de la Lande Photography.
7. We must offer signature cocktails
When it comes to bar offerings, nothing beats simplicity and we are fans of a streamlined bar menu, especially when your guest counts exceeds 100. We recommend red wine, white wine, a few beers and some simple mixed drinks to keep the lines moving and your guest experience positive. Signature cocktails can be difficult to make, they might not appeal to the masses, they are costly and sometimes yield long line ups during cocktails. Bottom line - you don’t have to offer a fancy signature cocktail if you don’t want to and your guests will appreciate the shorter wait times!
8. I need to include traditions even though they have no meaning to us
When we are supporting our couples in their wedding planning process, we like to remind them this is THEIR wedding day. If the multi-tiered wedding cake and bouquet toss feel unnecessary and hold no meaning for you, there is no need to add unnecessary items to the evening itinerary. Ultimately, your family and friends will appreciate you did your wedding, your way without the ‘old school’ extras.
Ultimately, your family and friends will appreciate you did your wedding, your way without the ‘old school’ extras. Photo by Sinikka Hearn Photography.
9. My wedding will be simple because the guest list is small
This a very common misconception we need to dismantle early in the planning process. The truth is, whether it be a 50 person wedding or a 500 person wedding, you STILL need a venue, you STILL need a photographer, you STILL need a caterer and the list goes on. We follow the exact same planning and meeting process regardless of guest count and as a result, we have executed some of our most ‘décor-heavy’ and logistically complicated weddings for 20 guests and we’ve enjoyed some straight forward celebrations for 200 guests. Fewer guests will lower your food and beverage budget of course, but otherwise, you can expect the same vendor involvement and details to confirm.
10. I will save money by tackling a décor project myself or with a friend or family member
IF ONLY! It might seem like a great idea to create those table numbers you saw on pinterest from scratch, but more often than not, these small projects evolve into an ever growing shopping list, and hours attempting to create and re-create the image you saw on social media. Before starting these DIY tasks, ask yourself, how much is my time worth? Chances are, you’d be better off to pay a professional to do the job OR find a rental that does the trick to free up your time and that of your friends and family.
Are you looking for help planning your 2024 or 2025 wedding? Send me an email alli@allimae.com