Maleila S Domingos, 32, has been a wedding planner for six years, having assisted with over 300 weddings so far in her career.
The 32-year-old now has her own business and to help budding brides and grooms, has shared some of the biggest mistakes people make.
From assigning a friend to feed you, when to expect guest cancellations and forgetting to schedule a hair and make-up trial, here are the pitfalls to look out for.
“The wedding is yours,” Maleila, from Toronto, Canada, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“I promise you that everything you do with intention, and that makes you happy, is so worthwhile.”
DON’T PRINT YOUR SEATING CHART TOO SOON:
Most cancellations by guests tend to happen between one to three weeks before the big day, according to the expert.
And so, printing your seating chart too early can cause more hassle than it’s definitely worth.
Maleila said: “Go to print the Monday before your wedding.
“This is the very latest you should be doing a print job as most printers require a minimum of 48 hours.
“You can also opt for a mirror seating chart and forego printing altogether.”
NOT SCHEDULING A HAIR AND MAKEUP TRIAL:
Not testing your dream makeup and hair look is a big no-no.
Most hair and makeup artists can’t just wing it and produce a masterpiece – like any good thing it takes time.
Maleila said: “Hair and makeup trials are the reality checks we didn’t know we needed.
“You should schedule a trial at least three months prior to your wedding to see how your inspiration photo looks on you.
“If any modifications need to be made, you can request them there and then.”
ASSIGN A FRIEND TO FEED YOU:
With all the excitement of your dream day looming, eating is often overlooked and you can end up with an empty stomach while drinking all the bubbly.
The expert says you should assign your best mate feeding duties, to ensure you don’t go hungry after paying for those expensive meals.
She said: “After all, you did pick out all these delicious food options and probably paid a pretty penny for them.
“This also means taking advantage of the fact that you are served first during dinner and trying your best to finish your meal before greeting each table.”
INVITING PEOPLE OUT OF OBLIGATION:
The guest count can often be the biggest cost of your wedding day.
The more people who attend, the more you have to feed, entertain and seat – so why invite people who you’ll never see again?
Maleila said: “Budget aside, your wedding is a deeply personal celebration that will be captured in photos, films and in your memory and you should celebrate with people you care about.
“There’s no reason you have to invite every single person you’ve ever met unless you want to.”
HAVING TOO MUCH TO DRINK BEFORE THE CEREMONY:
Maleila’s sixth and final faux pas is having too many drinks before your ceremony and any big speeches.
She said: “You should absolutely party like it’s 1999 and enjoy a drink or two – it’s a wedding, not a funeral.
“We also don’t want you to burn out well before the real partying has begun.
“Instead, we encourage you to sip on something lighter during the day, get enough food and water and take your time.
“When the dance floor opens, well that’s a different story!
“Bottoms up!”
NOT HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER:
To save pennies, it’s not unheard of for couples to scrimp on the organisational budget and avoid hiring a wedding planner.
But, this can often be much more trouble than it’s worth – meaning the splurge will pay off in the long run.
Maleila said: “Even if you do not hire a full-time planner, I encourage all couples to consider a ‘Day of Coordinator.’
“They make sure everyone is where they need to be and take the stress off the couple so they can focus on the moment.”
