5 Common Mistakes Newly Engaged Couples Make

Congrats- you are ENGAGED!! It is so exciting, such a happy time!! CELEBRATE!!! Tell all of your friends, tell your family, put it on Instagram, Snapchat it, change your Facebook status but DO NOT BOOK ANYTHING for your wedding until you read this. 

Trust me- you will thank me later. 

Below are 5 common mistakes I see far too many newly engaged couples making. I want to save you before you make the same mistakes!

5. Getting so excited that you invite everyone you know to be in your bridal party!! 
You are so excited and they are so happy for you and before you know it the words "Will you be my Bridesmaid?!?!" come out of your mouth!! Stop, step back and think this one out. It is not so much about the size of the bridal party but the people that you have in it and your favorite pal from work may not be the best person to have standing next to you at the alter. Being in a bridal party is expensive and the bigger the bridal party you have the more money it will cost you and them! Really, really think about this before you ask someone to be by your side on such a special day.


4. Booking a vendor because your friend used them.
I know the above statement shocks most people to hear from me because referrals are how I built my business. The highest compliment I can receive is when a happy client sends someone my way and they book with me! All business owners will tell you the same thing, especially a small business owner! All that being said make sure you do some research before you book anyone for your wedding- even if your friend/family/coworker loves them. Check out their reviews, get quotes and compare them to at least 2 other options. Just because your friend was happy with someone does not always mean you will be- things like price, style and personality may make someone not the best option for you but a perfect fit for your friend. Just make sure you do your research and at the end of the day book someone because you like their work, their pricing fits in your budget and you genuinely want to work with them- not just because your friend/coworker/family member used them. 


3. Booking a venue before you finalize your guest list. This sounds so simple but its on the list- so it happens! People get caught up in everything- the emotion and excitement of it all. Before you know it they are signing on the dotted line for a venue before they know if it will actually work for their wedding. Do not get caught in a tough situation which can be 100% avoided. 

2. All wedding, all the time.
Focusing on the wedding and only the wedding could easily have been the #1 mistake that newly engaged couples make! Try, as hard as it may be, to enjoy your engagement and all that comes with it! Just because you are getting married and planning the best wedding of the decade does not mean that you should let it consume you 24/7/365. The world is still spinning around you- enjoy it! Let yourself enjoy the ride and all that comes with it. Continue to date each other, make time for friends and family and do not start every conversation with "So here is my wedding update!". Life will be much better this way, I promise. 


Drum roll please… 

1. Hands down THE BIGGEST mistake I see so many newly engaged couples make is booking a venue, a photographer, a florist or buying that must-have dress before they have The Budget Talk. 
Until you have that talk with each other and/or your parents you should NOT spend a penny on anything for your wedding day. Let me repeat this one because it is THE biggest mistake I see people make and I wish I could yell this from the roof tops to make sure that no one makes this again-- have the budget talk BEFORE you book or buy anything for your wedding! Have an honest conversation, write down what is important to you and your fiancé and then look for the pieces of the puzzle that will make your dream day a reality. The last thing you need it to stress about money for your wedding because you failed to prepare. 
What is that saying I love so much? Oh yeah, its this-
When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. 
Do not FAIL at anything when it comes to your wedding. 


So there they are folks- the top 5 mistakes I see newly engaged couples make far too often. 
At the end of the day as long as you make an educated decision and not an emotional decision you will be ok. When in doubt- stop, step back and sleep on it. Then decide. This is a good life rule in general but especially important when planning your wedding!

Hope this helps and keeps your stress level down! 
Talk soon,
~Tiffany