Although it sounds tempting to accept your wacky cousin's offer to take your wedding photos, boot the idea straight away (unless he is a professional photographer). Your wedding photos are a testimony to the beautiful day, and they should be nothing less than spectacular.

Shop around for photographers, look at their portfolios and get references for weddings they have done.

Misunderstandings

Double, triple, and quadruple check everyone you have hired for the big day. Make sure that the photographer, caterer, band and everyone else will show up on time. You wouldn’t want your photographer there an hour late, or your dinner an hour early.

Overspending

Set an amount you will stick to. You can even ask for help when it comes to the budget. Recruit a friend or professional help from a person who is not tempted to go over the wedding budget. Brides tend to forget sometimes that there is life after the wedding and they spend everything they have and more on that one day.

Tipsy Bride or Groom

Watch your drinking when you get to the reception. The wedding day might be stressful and busy enough for you not to have time to eat properly. With an empty stomach, even a small amount of alcohol can do great damage. You want to remember your wedding day, so drink cautiously.

Experimenting

The week before your wedding is not for experimenting. Forget about getting a new hair colour or cut, a tan or perhaps even a chemical peel. Things can go wrong and your mistakes can be irreparable for the big day. Stick to sunless tanners and try out your wedding hairdo and makeup beforehand to make sure you like it.

Cake Disasters

Most weddings are adorned with a royal multi-tired cake. They are beautiful and memorable, and, above all, unstable. As the cake is best eaten off a plate and not the floor, have your cake somewhere secure, away from the playing kids and the rocky dance floor.

While we are talking about cakes, do not smudge the first piece into your significant other’s face unless you two have previously discussed it. You don’t want to have your first brawl in front of the guests.

Outdoor Weddings

More and more brides opt for an outdoor wedding. It is beautiful and full of life. If you are daring enough, do it, but please have a plan B.

Weather is your meanest enemy if you are an outdoor bride. If you can afford it, rent a small hall in the vicinity so you can move inside in case there is bad weather. If you want to stick to the outside plan regardless of the circumstances, rend a big tent that can host the reception. Also, make sure the tent has walls and perhaps have a few heaters if a bad storm hits.

Gown and Dress Disasters

Every wedding gown, even if purchased form a store, will be fitted to look perfect on the bride. The same idea lies behind the bridesmaid dresses. To rule out any possibility of dresses that do not fit, have a final fitting after your seamstress does the last touch-ups.

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be realistic

Don’t just plan the wedding, plan the marriage. Do not become one of those obsessed brides that magazines write about. While your wedding day should be beautiful and memorable, do not forget the real meaning behind the preparations - that it is all in light of the vow you took to spend the rest of your life in love with your soon-to-be husband.