Biggest Wedding Blunders

If you've never seen the show "Four Weddings" on TLC, let me tell you, it's one of my favorite wedding shows. The concept is that four real brides come together to compete for a dream honeymoon. They each attend each others' weddings and rate them for experience, food, venue, and dress. It's hilarious because you get to hear everyone's caddy remarks. Usually it's surprising who wins. I love it when the woman with the lowest budget is the winner because it shows that the best weddings aren't the ones with the highest price, but the ones with the most thought and sentiment put into them.

Last Friday, "Four Weddings" had a Biggest Blunders episode. A lot of them were kind of overly critical. Some things brides really have no control over at all. But some of them were definitely worthwhile to point out. Most things aren't Do or Don't. Different factors contribute to whether or not something is a good idea for your wedding. It depends a lot on size and location of the wedding. So here are my picks for the biggest wedding day blunders:

1. Being Late to Your Own Wedding - Probably the most tacky thing is making your guests wait. I think there's an expected 15 minute swing time that allows for guests who are running late not to walk in during the middle. But anything more than that is kind of rude.

2. Not taking your vows seriously - Most people take marriage very seriously. It's definitely not appropriate to be drunk during your vows. It's ok to laugh out of nervousness, but people to expect some heartfelt sentiments and emotions rather than snickering. BUT DEFINITELY don't be drunk.

3. Disregarding the weather and environment - You have little control over the weather, but you do have control over the day and what precautions you take. Think about heaters, bug zappers, fans and a back-up plan in case of rain or terrible wind (makes the ceremony inaudible). Also look around, is there an airport nearby? Is there a highway close? Those noises will distract from your ceremony.

4. No View - Make sure that there aren't pillars in the way of your guests view of the ceremony. Also let you photographers and videographers know that you don't want guests' view blocked.
5. Reception Commute - Making guests drive an hour is a little excessive. I would say try not to have your wedding and reception more than 30 minutes away from one another.
6. Planning for those who didn't RSVP - A lot of people may not RSVP. Plan on it. I'd plan for about half of however many people don't respond. So keep track of Yes's and No's.

7. Bad dates - I have a rule of thumb with dates. If it's a small, mostly-family wedding, holiday weekends are a good idea because it allows for them to consolidate traveling. If you're wedding is big with lots of friends and business associates and distant relatives, I'd say opt for a date not centered around a holiday. Most people get frustrated if you interrupt their Memorial or Labor Day weekends because they want to make their own plans. If you do decide to make it over a holiday weekend, make sure there are other planned events for all of the out-of-towners. Middle of the week weddings should be reserved for smaller more intimate weddings.

8. Food - Food is tricky because you want to have what you love, but some people may be more picky than you. If you do decide to have adventurous food like Indian or Greek food, try to make sure there are some more generic, non-spicy, recognizable foods. Some people are very sensitive to spicy foods so make sure there's a way to distinguish the spicy foods. But I love the idea of doing anything besides the typical chicken, beef, mashed potatos, green beans, and dinner salad.

9. Buffet or No buffet - Buffets have their advantages. It allows people to pick exactly what they want and requires fewer hired hands. But when you have limited choices, it's not a big deal for people to have choices. Down sides include long lines and people taking over-sized portions. It's a double-edged sword. Talk to your caterer and see which option is more affordable, it might surprise you that some caterers charge less for a sit-down dinner because the portions are controlled.

10. Super Long Toasts - Only best man, the maid of honor, parents, and the couple should give toasts. Enough said.

11. Booze - people are touchy about alcohol. I say, it's your day, you decide if you want booze there are not. Open bars are expensive, people are expecting a lot. Guests should be understanding.

12. Being Completely Wasted - It's your day, don't you want to remember it?