Event Planning Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)
So you’re a 2025-26 bride. From one bride to another, planning a wedding is a job and a half! Let’s talk about mistakes you can avoid making to save yourself as much money (and stress) as possible in order to create your dream wedding.
NOT DOING YOUR RESEARCH
Before setting a dollar amount, do your research on everything “wedding.” Setting a dollar amount budget without researching will be your downfall. How can anyone be expected to set a budget amount on florals when you don’t know how much 1000 roses will cost you? So, before you talk money with your significant other, sit down and research wedding venues, catering, hotel stays, florists, etc. You will be shocked to find out all the factors that go into planning a wedding, and how much money it could ultimately cost!
Extra Tip:
ASK QUESTIONS. It never hurts to ask!
Go back to those young researching roots from grade school. They'll be useful!
IGNORING YOUR BUDGET
No one has EVER said budgeting is fun. But it is one, if not the MOST important factor when wedding planning. Now that you’ve done your research, take a moment with your significant other and talk money. Prioritize according to each of your preferences. Ask yourselves where you could compromise if necessary. Each couple will be different, so make sure both wants and needs are met in order to successfully satisfy expectations on your special day. Omaha Event Group has a venue that fits every need!
Track your finances! It’s always easy to overspend, and if you aren’t careful, you most certainly will. Set your “must haves” and talk about where you could cut expenses, or where you would prefer to “splurge.”
Finally, lets talk guest list. Your guest count is the easiest way to save money! Lets be completely realistic; you will not be able to please everyone! Focus on what YOU want, and not on pleasing everybody else for your wedding.
Extra Tips:
Create an “ABC” guest list!
Look up budget spreadsheets online!
Open a new checking account for all wedding expenses.
Remember: it’s your big day! You decide what makes it yours!
LACK OF A TIMELINE
Now that you’ve done research and know how much you can spend, start booking! By now, you should have an idea of what you want your wedding to look like. Creating a timeline will help you stay on track with what needs to be booked, bought, and delegated The one thing I suggest you book first is your venue. Once you book the venue, everything else starts to fall into place and your timeline starts to form itself. From boho, to intimate, to a blank canvas: Omaha Event Group has a venue that fits your vision perfectly.
Now, don't take on more than you can chew. Create a realistic timeline that you can follow. If you’re anything like me, spreadsheets will be your best friend. Setting due dates on certain things will help you stagger the way you spend your budget! By booking in advance, you avoid late fees!
Extra Tip
Map out a “day of” timeline. Allot yourself time to breathe.
NOT DELEGATING
Feeling responsible for everything can lead to costly mistakes. Imagine you create the perfect wedding invitation. It’s everything you dreamed of. You order them, receive them, package them, and are about to send them off when you realize: the invitation doesn’t have the date of your wedding. Instead of reprinting all the invitations, you opt to print an rsvp slip with the date in your invitation. An extra printing cost. Not super costly, but an expense that could have been avoided. How? Asking for a second opinion!
When selecting your bridal party, consider jobs you could delegate. Allow yourself to relax and rely on other (trustworthy) people.
Extra Tip
When selecting your bridal party, share your expectations with them. Being a bridesmaid is almost a full time job!
These are just a couple mistakes that can be avoided. Remember that some will be inevitable. Try to stay positive, and take in this joyful moment in life with your partner. Rely on the people that love you and breathe. Everything will be okay.
Love,
Val