By Kate Cohen
November 3, 2025
Planning a wedding can be a fun and rewarding process.
But it can also be overwhelming.
Often, couples make similar mistakes, which can lead to added stress or financial strain further down the road.
Luckily, there are people who have dedicated their careers to helping couples avoid preventable planning mistakes – like the wedding specialists at Rosen Weddings.
Here is a look at the 10 most common wedding planning mistakes and how you can avoid them – with confidence! – when planning your own wedding.
Key Takeaways
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- 1. Booking a Venue Before Finalizing Your Guest List
- 2. Blowing the Budget Early on Decor or Attire
- 3. Not Having a Weather Backup Plan
- 4. Skipping the Venue Walkthrough Before Booking
- 5. Underestimating the Timeline for Setup and Teardown
- 6. Forgetting to Reserve Guest Accommodations Early
- 7. Trying to DIY Too Much
- 8. Not Factoring in Hidden Fees
- 9. Ignoring the Guest Experience
- 10. Not Enjoying the Process
- Enjoy the Planning Process with Rosen Weddings
1. Booking a Venue Before Finalizing Your Guest List
There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a venue only to realize it won’t accommodate your growing guest list.
Before you start searching for the perfect wedding setting, try to get a rough estimate of how many people you expect to attend.
Even if you only have a rough idea, it will help you determine which venue may be the best fit for your event.
Finding a venue with multiple flexible event spaces – like a Rosen Weddings venue – is another option to ensure that you have plenty of space for everyone on your guest list.
2. Blowing the Budget Early on Décor or Attire
Once the question has been popped, it’s only natural to get excited about crossing milestone planning moments off your wedding to-do list.
Whatever you do, don’t start spending without a realistic budget breakdown in place.
Weddings can be notoriously expensive, especially thanks to hidden costs and unexpected line items (more on those later).
Splurging on a big-ticket item too early can really throw off your budget and any other important expenses for which you may wish you had saved more money further down the line.
Once you have your budget and a clear understanding of how much you are willing to spend on each item or category, you can really start to enjoy planning and purchasing with less stress.
Need help with a budget? Schedule a meeting with a wedding planner or use a free online wedding budgeting tool for guidance.
3. Not Having a Weather Backup Plan
An outdoor wedding is a beautiful and romantic option…until the storm clouds roll in.
While no one wishes they get rained out on their wedding day, not having a backup plan is a critical mistake.
One way to avoid having to make last-minute adjustments is to choose a venue that offers both indoor and outdoor event spaces (like a Rosen Weddings venue).
Talk to your coordinator about the adjustments you’ll make in case of bad weather so you feel prepared should you need to switch to plan B.
4. Skipping the Venue Walkthrough Before Booking
Have you ever seen a photo of a product or space online only to be disappointed when seeing it in person?
Avoid that devastating letdown by making the effort to see your wedding venue in person before signing any contract.
Always do a site visit so you can get an idea of the venue’s layout, accessibility, and amenities and to ensure that you’re making the right choice for your unique event.
Booking from out of town? Many venues offer virtual tours so you can get an idea of the space from afar.
5. Underestimating the Timeline for Setup and Teardown
Setting up a wedding takes time.
It’s a delicate dance between vendors and coordinators to ensure that every detail is perfect for the couple of honor and their guests.
That’s why it’s critical to make sure that you have enough time to set up everything exactly the way you want it to be.
Work with your venue coordinator to understand the specific timing needs of your event and how you can create a schedule that works for your vendors and your timeline.
6. Forgetting to Reserve Guest Accommodations Early
Chances are you’ll have guests traveling from out of town to celebrate with you and your partner.
Make things even easier for them by booking a hotel block, ensuring that they’ll have a comfortable place to stay (and often at a discounted rate).
However, if you wait too long to arrange your hotel block, you risk the hotel selling out – especially at peak times of year.
Secure accommodations for your guests at least six to nine months in advance, giving you plenty of time to share the information with friends and family.
Hosting your wedding at a hotel venue also offers guests the convenience of staying onsite, eliminating transportation needs and offering a variety of other perks and amenities they’ll love.
7. Trying to DIY Too Much
DIYing certain details for your wedding is a great way to personalize your event and even save some money.
But taking on too many projects can lead to stress and burnout.
Instead, prioritize where DIY makes sense, and where it just makes sense to invest in a professional.
You can also seek the guidance and support of wedding coordinators and specialists to help reduce a mental load.
At Rosen Weddings, our in-house event staff and wedding specialists will help you make every detail as perfect as possible, without having to do it all yourself.
8. Not Factoring in Hidden Fees
A wedding budget may seem straightforward, but somehow there are always hidden fees and charges that seem to arise.
Avoid unexpected headaches by anticipating line items like taxes, gratuities, and potential overtime charges that can add up and throw off your entire budget.
Be sure you’re asking for a full cost breakdown of every contract you sign and read the fine print carefully to make sure you’re not committing to hidden fees.
Even better, make it a priority to work with vendors that offer transparent pricing or all-inclusive packages, like Rosen Weddings.
9. Ignoring the Guest Experience
Your wedding day is all about you and your partner, but your guests should be considered throughout the planning process, too.
Long gaps throughout the day, bad food, lack of seating, and confusing directions can all sour your guests’ experience of attending your special day.
So, while your wedding should absolutely be about you and your preferences, make sure you’re envisioning the flow of the day from the perspective of your guests, too.
Considering a hotel wedding? Your guests will certainly thank you for it. Here’s a list of hotel wedding perks that guests love to help make your decision easier.
10. Not Enjoying the Process
Whether you’re in the early stages of planning or approaching the big day, try not to let stress overshadow the fun of planning and hosting a wedding.
Throughout the planning process, make sure you’re asking for help when you need it. Trusted friends and family members can turn the most tedious task into an enjoyable occasion.
On your wedding day, be sure that you’re building in break times, surrounding yourself with supportive loved ones, and remembering to eat and drink.
Rely on your trusted vendors, coordinators, and wedding specialists to bring your wedding vision to life.
Try not to get too caught up in the details and instead let yourself bask in the glow of the day you get to say “I do” to the love of your life.
Enjoy the Planning Process with Rosen Weddings
Making mistakes throughout any planning process is common but can be totally avoided with the right support and team.
At Rosen Weddings, our professional wedding specialists are here to help you with every detail, and to encourage you to stay focused on what truly matters: celebrating your love story.
With four beautiful and unique hotel wedding venues and dozens of flexible event spaces, we can’t wait to help you plan the wedding of your dreams.
Reach out to our wedding specialists and schedule your site visit soon. We know you’ll love what you see (and who you meet).
