Planning your wedding can feel like navigating a maze—especially when you're not sure where to start. With so many decisions to make, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. But here’s the good news: I’ve been in the wedding industry long enough to see it all, and I’m here to guide you through the top two mistakes that brides (and grooms!) often make during the planning process. By learning how to avoid these common pitfalls, you can stay on track, save time, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey to your big day.

So, here are the top two wedding planning mistakes I see engaged couples making—and how you can avoid them. Let’s get started!

Mistake 1: Ignoring Your Priorities (and Letting Others Set Them for You) 🚨

SPOILER ALERT:
If you don’t define your priorities, they will be defined for you. And trust me, this is a recipe for unnecessary stress and confusion!

One of the biggest mistakes couples make when planning their wedding is not clearly defining what’s most important to them. It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of what everyone else thinks a wedding should look like. From Instagram trends to family expectations, it’s all too common for couples to waste time and money on aspects of the wedding that don’t actually align with their personal vision.

So, what happens when you don’t clearly define your priorities?
You end up spending time and money on things that don’t bring you joy or meaning. This can lead to wedding burnout, frustration, and a sense of being disconnected from your own celebration. You might even start to question why you’re doing all of this in the first place.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Take a moment to step back and reflect on what truly matters to you both as a couple. What are your top priorities? For some couples, it might be having an unforgettable reception with dancing and food. For others, it might be a deeply personal ceremony that reflects their values and faith. Whatever it is, make sure that these priorities are front and center during the planning process.

Actionable Steps:

1. Sit down together and list out the three or four elements of your wedding that are non-negotiable. These are the things you cannot compromise on—whether it’s a specific venue, the perfect photographer, or a particular color scheme.
2. Create a wedding vision board to bring your dream wedding to life visually. This will act as your compass throughout the process.
3. Refer back to this list and vision board regularly to ensure you're making decisions based on what matters to you—not what others expect or what’s trending right now.

When you have clear priorities, it’s easier to stay focused on what’s important, stay within budget, and avoid getting distracted by wedding trends that don’t resonate with your true vision.

Mistake 2: Believing “I Should Know How to Do This” 😱

SPOILER ALERT:
You may not know how to plan your wedding—and that’s totally okay! 🎉

This is another huge mistake I see brides and grooms make all the time. There’s this pressure to have it all together, to know exactly what to do, when to do it, and how much everything will cost. The reality? Planning a wedding is overwhelming, and most couples have never planned an event for 100+ people before, let alone their own wedding.

You’re combining two families, creating new traditions, and making huge decisions that affect your future together. There’s a lot of NEW in wedding planning, and it’s not something anyone should know how to do without a little guidance. It’s okay to not have all the answers, especially when you’re dealing with all the logistics, emotions, and budget concerns that come with planning a wedding.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

Instead of feeling pressured to figure everything out on your own, it’s important to ask for help and seek guidance when you need it. There’s no shame in not knowing exactly what goes into planning a wedding, and that’s where having a clear strategy and support system comes into play.

Actionable Steps:

1. Invest in a trusted resource like a wedding planner or online course that walks you through the wedding planning process. The Joyful Wedding Blueprint (my signature wedding course) is designed to give you an insider look at all the key steps and decisions, plus templates, trackers, and tips to keep you organized and on budget.
2. Use wedding planning tools like wedding checklists, vendor comparison charts, and budget trackers (like my Wedding Budget Buddy). These will help you feel more in control and avoid feeling like you're making decisions in the dark.
3. Delegate tasks to friends, family, or trusted vendors. Wedding planning doesn’t need to be a solo job, and you’ll be much less stressed if you have a team of people who can support you along the way.

Pro Tip: In the Joyful Wedding Blueprint, I provide you with step-by-step guides on how to plan each phase of your wedding, along with cheat sheets and checklists so you never have to ask, “What do I do next?” You’ll have everything you need to execute your wedding vision with clarity and confidence!

Why These Mistakes Matter 💡

Both of these mistakes—ignoring priorities and believing you should know everything—are common, but they can leave you feeling burnt out, confused, and disconnected from your own wedding. The good news is that avoiding these mistakes will not only make the planning process more manageable, but it will also allow you to enjoy your wedding day to the fullest.

When you define your priorities from the beginning and seek guidance when you need it, you’ll feel more empowered, less stressed, and more aligned with your wedding vision. And when you’re feeling clear and confident, the whole process becomes more fun and enjoyable.

Ready to avoid these common mistakes and plan your dream wedding stress-free? I’ve got you covered!
Sign up for my FREE class where I’ll walk you through the essential steps to planning your wedding, from defining your priorities to staying organized and on budget.

No more guessing or second-guessing—just clear, actionable steps that will help you plan your wedding like a pro.

👉 Save your seat for FREE class HERE