Are You Facing These 7 Wedding Planning Challenges?

Everyone tells you wedding planning is so much fun!

Between picking the flowers, finding the dress, setting the seating arrangement, and hosting all those showers—wedding planning is fun, but it’s not easy.

When it comes to planning, there are a number of factors to consider and challenges to overcome.

So before you start out in the wedding planning business, plan a friend’s wedding, or your own—watch out for these 7 challenges.

Challenge #1: The ‘Zilla Family

You’ve heard all about the ‘zilla family, right? There’s the momzilla, the bridezilla, the groomzilla—and they make wedding planning a living nightmare.

From throwing temper tantrums to having to have their hands in all of the wedding-planning cookie jars, the ‘zilla family is the number one challenge facing wedding planners.

So how do you handle them?

Simple! To prevent a ‘zilla from making an appearance, be sure to include people in your planning. The reason these unwanted helpers show up is because they feel left out and like their opinions are not being heard or appreciated.

Challenge #2: Dreaming Too Big

It’s the dream day, the dream dress, the dream bridal party, the dream venue—the dream list goes on. But there’s also a dream price tag.

When it comes to wedding planning it can be difficult to rein in the dreams and match them to the budget—but you’ve got to.

Unless you’re living the dream and have no cap budget for the big day, you’ll have to decide which dreams you’ll be able to afford.

So set out a list of “must-haves” that you won’t compromise on, and then spend less money on the other “nonessentials.”

Challenge #3: DIYs (Do it yourself)

Everyone likes a good DIY project every now and then, right?

I mean, I know for myself I enjoy getting on Pinterest and seeing what wild creation I can make. But sometimes, Pinterest and other DIY projects turn into more of a money-waster than anything else.

However, you can always just ignore your client’s wishes of a DIY project. So listen to their ideas and offer to connect them with people/vendors who could replicate that design for them.

And if you have to go the DIY route, make sure you choose your project wisely.

Challenge #4: Unrealistic Goals and Expectations

Unrealistic expectations—for me that would be trying to touch my toes, but for wedding planners those are the champagne requests on a beer budget.

Sometimes your clients might ask for something on their wedding day that you know you can’t achieve.

And that’s OK!

It’s alright to let your client know that some things are just unrealistic. Now of course, you’ll want to say that in the best way possible, but the point of the matter is to remember that it’s OK to say no.

For example: If your client asks you to cut your hair into a pixie cut for their big day, you know what, you can say no and walk away if you feel underappreciated.

Now of course, that’s an extreme example, but you should feel in control of your decisions and the situation—don’t let the situation take control of you.

Challenge #5: No Good, Very Bad Event Vendors

In the wedding industry, your co-workers are your fellow vendors. These are the people who supply you with everything you need to put on a successful wedding for your clients, whether that means tents, tables, or flowers.

And trust us, not all of them are good.

That’s right, sometimes you run into no good, very bad event vendors. And they can make your wedding planning process, well, let’s just say not very good.

Find vendors that match your ethics, your professionalism, and appreciation for quality service. When you raise the bar and your expectations of service, bad vendors will slowly fade away from the picture.

Challenge #6: The Stressful Moments

As the wedding day gets closer and closer, the stress gets a little more intense. Emotions are up and anxiety has set in—things are about to get a little rocky.

You’re the planner, so remember to keep people calm, reassure them that everything is under control, and that you’re there to help and support them with whatever they need.

You are the voice of reason, and the more you keep calm, the more the party will too.

Challenge #7: Taking Things Personally

It can be difficult to watch something you’ve created and planned get ripped up in front of you. And although most of your clients won’t literally rip your plans up in front of you, sometimes their critiques are too tough to hear.

One of the biggest challenges about being a wedding planner is hearing critique and not taking it personally.

But critics come with the job. So the best thing you can do is to understand that when your client critiques your plan, it isn’t a slight against you, it’s that they see your vision and want to build on it.

There are always going to be challenges in this industry, but we’re confident that you’re going to navigate through them just fine.

Want to know how we know that? It’s because to truly make it in this industry you have to have passion for what you do. And since you’re here, we know you must really love it.

So go out there, face the challenges, and plan the wedding of someone’s dreams.

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Momzilla! Is This Really a Thing?

You’ve seen the movie Monster-in-law, right?

You know the one with Jennifer Lopez, Michael Vartan, and Jane Fonda? Well if you haven’t, you definitely need to.

It sums up exactly what your brides (and you) might face when planning a wedding.

But in all seriousness, dealing with controlling moms and future mothers-in-law can be a nightmare for any bride.

So as a wedding planner, it’s your job to stick up for your client, and put mom in the corner.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We’ve got some tips to help you out!

Understand Why Momzillas Exist

To handle a momzilla, you first need to understand what causes a momzilla. And it all comes down to emotions.

Moms’ lives are changing. Their babies aren’t babies anymore, and their family dynamic is shifting.

And when it comes to your client’s wedding and happiness, moms want to make sure it’s the best for you.

So when the mom of the bride texts you or her daughter all the time, know that it’s coming from a good place.

These moms just want the best for their children, and them reaching out to you helps fight their anxiety a little bit.

How to Handle the Craze Momzilla

Yes, momzillas can be crazy!

One moment they’re perfectly fine with how you’re handling everything, the next they’re crying because it’s not right.

How do you handle it?

One of the biggest things a momzilla needs is to feel included, to feel like you want them as a contributor in the wedding.

No one likes sitting out or feeling excluded, especially mom!

It’s alright to ask mom for her opinion, get her insight on what the bride might like, as well as explore any hidden talents she might have in design.

And it might help calm the beast.

Don’t Bend too Much

Now of course, the best way to handle momzilla is to make her feel included.

But, and this is a big but, always make sure you’re still the voice for your client.

Don’t let mom overstep her bounds and start taking control of everything. It’s your client’s day and she hired you to be her champion, even when it’s against mom.

The best way to handle situations like that if they do arise is to sit down with the mom and explain to her that while you are both thankful for her input and all that she has done, her actions are causing problems.

Sure it’s a little frank and abrupt, but no need to be ambiguous and beat around the bush with a serious issue like this.

Be firm when it comes to fighting a momzilla!

Ready to battle your first momzilla, event planners? We believe in you! Just remember, you’re there to help your client plan their dream day.

And to those event planners who’ve dealt with a momzilla, tell us your experience in the comment section below, or share it with us on our Facebook page.

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5 Must-Know Wedding Planning Secrets

Secrets! The wedding industry is full of them, and when you’re a newcomer to it all (or newly engaged) it can be difficult to get the inside scoop and all the know-hows. Well, as we said in our last blog, we don’t see anything wrong with sharing a few secrets. So we’ve rounded up five of our must-know wedding planning secrets to help you get started planning the event of your (or your client’s) dreams. And although these might seem simple, they can save you from potential day-of problems.

Keep reading to find out our top wedding planning secrets!

Secret #1- Think Through Everything

It’s easy to think about the flowers, the flavor of the cake, and the venue, but remember, you have to plan and think about everything. How are guests going to get from the ceremony to the reception area? Who is going to help pass out programs? And the list of questions just goes on! It’s easy to think about the main attributes of the day when you’re planning a wedding, but the secret to minimizing pesky problems is thinking through every little detail.

Secret #2- Always Have Extras

You might have gone over and over the list, had all of your RSVPs returned to you, and the exact number of guests set. But like clockwork (trust us we’ve seen it) someone you weren’t expecting shows up, and they brought someone with them, which is why we always suggest you plan for extras. Set out a few extra chairs (you can keep it to an even number) and increase your catering and program orders. It’s always best to overestimate than underestimate.

Secret #3- Buy Fancy Umbrellas

It doesn’t matter if the weatherman tells you it’s going to be sunny with a high of 100°F, always bring umbrellas with you. We suggest you purchase fancy umbrellas that you (or your client) wouldn’t mind being photographed under, just in case it starts raining. And if it does start raining, think of the umbrella as a cute prop to incorporate into the pictures.

Secret #4- Map it

Before sending out invitations with directions to the venue, ask a friend who isn’t familiar with the location to test them out. Even if you use services like Google Maps, MapQuest, or venue-provided directions, you’ll want to make sure they’re accurate. Trust us, it could save you a headache and a lot of phone calls on the big day.

Secret #5- Know Your Surroundings

Congrats! You’ve found the venue of yours (or your client’s) dreams, and you’re excited to start decorating. But before the big day, take a little drive around the area of your venue to locate the closest ATM, drugstore, liquor store, or any other convenience store. That way, if you have any last-minute items you need to get during the party, you’ll know exactly where to go.

So now you know a few of the industry’s biggest secrets to help make the big day a complete success. And although Inspherio isn’t a secret, be sure to check out our event planning management solution designed specifically to help you stay organized on everything from the guest list to the inventory. We’re here to help you plan your success. Try Inspherio free for 15 days!  

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9 Cringe-Worthy Wedding Planning Moments (and How to Handle Them)

You’re planning the wedding of your dreams; there’s no stress, no up-tight moments, until, well until awkwardness strikes. I mean, how do you possibly tell someone that their child isn’t invited, or, that you’d rather take cash as your wedding gift? Like we said, awkward!

Although awkward moments are bound to occur, we have the answers to how to handle them. Want to know the secret? Keep reading for our 9 cringe-worthy wedding planning moments and how to handle them.

1. Bridesmaid: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

They’re your best friends from college; they got your through exams and bad breakups, but your wedding isn’t going to be big enough to have 27 bridesmaids. So, how do you tell your friends that you’re not including them in your wedding party? (You just cringed, didn’t you?)

Our Solution:

There’s no way you can avoid telling your friend she isn’t included in the wedding party, especially if she is looking for that invite, however, there are ways to still keep your friendship intact. After you’ve given the news, remind your friend how important your friendship is and that you are wanting to involve her in other parts of the wedding: the bachelorette party, reading a passage, guest book attendant, etc.

2. Kid-Free Wedding

Children are great; they bring excitement, youth, and joy. But some events are just for adults, and it’s completely alright to have a kid-free wedding! The only problem is how are you going to stress the point that it’s kid-free and still interest guests to attend? The awkward train just keeps rolling, doesn’t it?

Our Solution:

Don’t necessarily put “kids not welcome” on your invitation; simply word your invitation address differently. For example, instead of saying “The Brockenshire Family”, address it as “John and Jane Brockenshire.” Problem solved! This is a subtle way to let your guests know that kids aren’t particularly welcome. If a guest asks if they can bring their children, you can always apologize to them and then blame it on budget constraints. A white lie is acceptable in this circumstance (we won’t tell, promise!)

3. Wedding Party Payments

The subject of money, payments, cash, etc. is a touchy one. Maybe you covered a bridesmaid’s dress, or helped sponsor the bachelorette party, and now you’re looking for that IOU. It can be awkward to approach your friends asking for them to pay you back, but weddings are expensive!

Our Solution: 

Our friends at Venmo provide you with a great way to cover the costs for your bridesmaids that they can pay back later. With Venmo, you can bill your bridesmaids the bill for their dresses, hair, etc and they can accept the charges on their end. Awkward situation, sort of avoided, but it made it easier to deal with.

4. Asking for Cash as a Present

Since we are on the topic of money, why not keep on with all things awkward? The traditional approach to having a registry and asking for physical gifts is going by the wayside. Millennials (the generation getting married now) are already living together, which means they might not need some of the homegoods that are usually on a registry. Instead, couples are paying for their wedding and honeymoon themselves, making money the most obvious need. So how do you tell your guests exactly that you want money?

Our Solution:

Although you’re breaking tradition, asking for money isn’t a bad thing to do. You can set up a PayPal account and name it the “Honeymoon Fund” or “First House Fund.” These names encourage guests to give money because they know where it is going and how it will be used. And with the PayPal account, you can avoid the awkwardness of getting handed cash in front of everyone.

5. Disagreeing with the Wedding Planner, Mother of the Bride, Future In-Laws

Everyone is giving you advice, tips, etc. but you’re becoming overwhelmed and this wedding feels like it’s drifting further and further away from what you really wanted. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but something has to give.

Our Solution:

It’s your wedding! That is the key phrase to remember during the stressful parts of planning your wedding. Although you appreciate the help, advice, tips, etc. you don’t have to use or do everything someone suggests (especially if you’re paying for it). It might be difficult to tell people “no” but this is your wedding and it’s something you’ve dreamt about. Make it your own, and tell them you appreciate their idea but you were thinking about doing something else instead.

6. No Extra Guests

You work hard to create a guest list, making sure you didn’t exclude any family members, as well as fitting everything within your budget. Unfortunately though, you have to leave a couple people off the list. Eek! And then worst of all, some people are asking to bring along extra guests, like your fourth-cousin-once-removed wants his girlfriend and her sister to be invited.

Our Solution:

Honesty with a mixture of sympathy can go a long way. You can explain to your fourth-cousin-once-removed that you would love to get to know his girlfriend and her sister more but unfortunately you just can’t accommodate them at the wedding. You can always invite them to the after-party or out for drinks later on.  

7. Unexpected Guests

You send RSVPs for a reason: so you know exactly how many people are attending so you can budget for food and other accommodations. Although this could be one of the most frustrating parts of the wedding planning process, you can't let it overwhelm you.

Our Solution:

In case you're really worried that this might happen, the unexpected non-RSVP guest, you could always pay to have an extra table and food. Or, you could have your guest book attendant check people in and apologize if a guest’s name doesn’t appear on the list. It’s a tactful way of telling someone they weren’t expected and that there’s no room for them.

8. Too Tipsy

So you decided to have an open bar at your wedding, thinking it will make the crowd more comfortable and more apat to dance. But a couple of your guests took the open bar to mean “shots, shots, shots, shots, everybody!” You’re feeling embarrassed, your parents don’t look happy, and your grandparents want to leave. What do you do?

Our Solution:

Unfortunately, this situation is a tough one. You don’t want to worry your whole wedding day about watching after this tipsy group of people—it will significantly decrease the amount of fun you’re having. So if you have a bartender, make them aware that they are not to serve people anymore beverages if they feel they’ve had too many. Or, you can always have one of your bridal party members be on crowd control, making sure that if someone does get too tipsy, they find a safe way to get home.

9. Divorced Parents

Sadly, with the rate at about 50%, divorce is a real subject to discuss in your wedding planning. How do you seat your divorced parents at your wedding, especially if they don’t exactly get along?

Our Solution:

If your parents are on good terms, you can always sit them together! Problem solved. However, if you have parents who don’t get along particularly or are remarried, it’s perfectly fine to have one of your parents (and their new spouse) sit in the second row. And when it comes to the reception, be sure to give your parents separate tables where they can entertain their own respective families.

Awkward situations do happen during the planning process and even the wedding, but knowing how to handle situations before they arise will give you the confidence you need to not stress-out during one of the most special days of your life. And remember, if you need any more assistance, the Inspherio Crew is always glad to help. Our event planning business management solution can help you every step of the way when it comes to your event planning business. Check us out! We’ll even throw in a free-30 day trial.

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