5 Easy Mistakes to Avoid For Your Wedding
Planning a wedding is exciting—but it’s also a logistical tightrope. As photographers who’ve been behind the scenes at hundreds of Canadian weddings, we’ve seen it all: the emotional highs, the picture-perfect details, and the moments of complete chaos.
These real-life horror stories aren’t meant to scare you — they’re meant to help you plan smarter and avoid the same painful mistakes.
Spoiler Alert! All of these mistakes can be avoided by:
1. Timeline Implosion: When Hair and Makeup Take Down the Day
What happened:
The bride’s hair and makeup ran 90 minutes late. The ceremony was delayed. Family photos dragged on. The reception began without a single couple’s portrait taken.
Why it happens:
There was no buffer in the timeline, no coordinator, and too many moving parts stacked back-to-back.
How to avoid it:
- Start your glam early, it ALWAYS runs late.
- Build a realistic wedding day schedule with 10–15 minute cushions.
- Hire a planner or a day-of coordinator.
- Coordinate with your photographer in advance to plan your photo timeline efficiently.
2. Bored Guests = Drunk Guests: The Sloppy Reception
What happened:
With no clear plan for the reception flow, the couple left long, awkward gaps between formalities like the first dance and speeches. Guests sat idle at their tables long after dinner, growing restless and turning to the bar for entertainment. By the time the speeches began, attention had drifted—people were talking over the toasts, and heartfelt moments were lost to the noise.
Why it happens:
When there are too many pauses between scheduled events, guests aren’t sure when to mingle, move around, or dance—so they default to drinking.
How to avoid it:
- Kick off the night with your first dance right after your grand entrance—while everyone’s already watching.
- Slot speeches (with time limits) between courses or immediately after dinner to keep momentum.
- Avoid long pauses. Aim to wrap all formalities by 9 p.m. so your guests can spend the rest of the night celebrating—not waiting.
3. The Flowers That Never Came
What happened:
The bride ordered discount flowers online to save money. They never arrived. The wedding party made last-minute bouquets from grocery store blooms and hotel barware.
Why it happens:
No formal contract. No accountability. No backup plan.
How to avoid it:
- Always sign a vendor agreement, even for small or DIY services.
- Assign someone you trust to oversee all deliveries and setup.
- Have a realistic backup plan in place—just in case.
4. Speeches That Killed the Dance Floor
What happened:
Eight guests gave impromptu, unfiltered speeches. Dinner dragged. The dance floor didn’t open until after 11 p.m., and many guests had already left.
Why it happens:
No structure. No MC guidance. Too many unplanned toasts.
How to avoid it:
- Cap speeches at 3–5 minutes.
- Limit the number of speakers.
- Work with your MC to stick to the schedule.
- Share our Ultimate Canadian Wedding Guest Etiquette Guide with your speakers in advance.
5. “We Forgot That!” — The Detail Drop
What happened:
Vows, veil, signature cocktails, the marriage licence… all forgotten. A cousin had to make a 45-minute round trip just to retrieve legal documents.
Why it happens:
The couple tried to manage every detail themselves without a checklist or point person.
How to avoid it:
- Create a detailed wedding week checklist.
- Use shared documents for tracking tasks.
- Assign logistics to a friend, planner, or family member so you can focus on celebrating.
Final Thoughts — You Don’t Need Perfection, Just Preparation
Even the most stunning weddings have hiccups. But most horror stories? They’re preventable with a solid timeline, good communication, and realistic expectations.
You don’t need a flawless day. You just need a team you trust, a plan that breathes, and the ability to let go of the small stuff.