7 Things You Shouldn’t Go Overboard With at Your Wedding

Digging through all details of wedding planning can be fun, but try your best not get carried away. If you get the feeling that you’re adding one too many flourishes, there’s a good chance that you are. Here are a few of the key things happy couples tend to add in excess, from signage to speeches.

Here are a few things you shouldn’t go overboard with at your wedding.

Signage
We all love a good sign - especially if it’s made with chalkboard paint and looks extra cute with the rest of your decor. While they’re helpful to have around your venue, there is a such a thing as too many. You don’t want your guests to be met with a new sign at every turn, so use them sparingly. Important ones to have? Signs pointing your guests toward the ceremony, cocktail and reception spaces, where the washrooms are located, displaying the evening’s menu and the seating info.

DIY
If you’re a Pinterest lover or can’t get enough of YouTube tutorials, you’re probably jonesing to put your crafting muscles to work. However, if you’re planning on taking on everything from a handcrafted bouquet of paper flowers to sugar cookie favours, you’re probably spreading yourself too thin. Weddings are a lot of work and you don’t want to take on too many projects. Pick one or two that you really love and leave the rest to the pros.

Speeches
There’s a good chance that a lot of your friends and family members will want to congratulate you with a heartfelt speech or toast, but you’re going to have to be selective. Yes, the best man, MOH and father-of-the-bride should all get their moment in the spotlight (if you’re following tradition), but we urge against making your lineup any longer. Yes, they love you, but your guests want to hear music and mix and mingle at your reception, not hear the same sentiments echoed again and again.

Readings
The wedding ceremony is the main event of your big day. It’s where your union is legalized, rings are exchanged and vows are recited. This is also when you and your spouse can introduce a few meaningful readings - religious or secular - that really hit home for you. We suggest being extra picky when making your selections and keeping it to one or two that you really love. Your guests will appreciate your short and sweet ceremony and will value the readings you choose much more.

Activities
It’s nice to pepper in a few fun activities and extras for your guests to keep them entertained - think lawn games and photo booths - but you don’t want to plan too many surprises. If your bonus games and goods overshadow the actual wedding, you’ve probably gone too far.

Accessories
It’s your big day, so you want to be sporting the outfit of a lifetime. You’ve probably spent months hunting for that perfect dress or suit and you’re ready to drape yourself in pearls and diamonds for that added oomph. Before attacking your jewellery stash, take a step back and consider what you’re working with. You want to wear your outfit, you don’t want it to wear you. Think about going with one extra piece of bling - say, a nice watch or kickass pair of earrings - so that you aren’t outdone by your ensemble.

Alcohol
Once you’ve sealed the deal with a kiss it’s time to party. You’ve most likely planned a stellar reception with cocktails, champagne and boozy beverages abound, but try not to sample everything your bar has to offer. You need to pace yourself if you want to remember your wedding night!

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