The List: Thirteen Things That <i>Could</i> Go Wrong

Okay, okay– you occasionally stumble and slip during a wedding. Shake it off and keep having fun!
PHOTO BY SARAH CRAMER SHIELDS

We don't want to be the bearers of bad news– but occasionally, things go wrong. Mud splatters on a white dress; the florist gets lost on the way to the reception site; Mother Nature refuses to cooperate, leaving your outdoor spring time wedding drizzly and cold. Luckily, the Charlottesville bride is always cool, calm, and collected– and if she's not, she usually has someone in her bridal team that can step up to the plate. Special events can't always come with an insurance policy to guard against the accidental slip-up or uncontrollable mishap, but that doesn't mean your Big Day has to turn into your Bad Day. We've asked some of Charlottesville's most confident and classy planners, designers, and coordinators to give us their advice for how to handle any unexpected upsets. Whether you're eagerly awaiting your upcoming nuptials or have agreed to don a bridesmaid's dress, here are some tips for how to handle any "oopsies" with grace and style.

Our experts:

Barbara Lundgren– Barb Wired LLC Event Management

Jennifer Carroll– Jennifer Carroll Designs

Shawn Marie Cossette, Beehive Events– Event Styling

1) Problem: We just got engaged! All the wedding magazines and blogs are featuring gorgeous, flawless, inspiring weddings– but I have no clue what I want my design, color scheme, or "wedding theme" to be!

"Let the design evolve– oftentimes we meet with our clients more than a year out and sometimes many brides feel pressured to know exactly what their flowers and decor will be. I recommend having a sense of your style, palette, and budget, and let it evolve over the year." –Shawn

2) Problem: Your father is insisting that the family home can hold your reception just fine– plus, think of all the money you'll save!

"Are you really saving money? Consider the following very carefully: Can 100 plus guests use your restroom facilities? Do you need to rent port-a-johns? Do you have adequate parking? Can your electrical system handle the needs of all your vendors? Will you need tents? Do you really want to deal with the wear and tear on your home?" –Barbara

3) Problem: You had your heart set on daisies and marigolds– but the ones available during your wedding week are in horrible shape, or worse, not even in season.

"In the flower world Mother Nature is in charge– I try to encourage my clients to be a bit open about their flower selections. Since flowers are so perishable and there are factors such as weather, demand, transporting, what looks fabulous one week may not look so hot the next. Having some flexibility in flower selection will lead to a beautiful wedding." –Shawn

4) Problem: Weather, weather, weather!

"Be prepared with a good rain or snow plan and know how to execute it with your vendors. If the forecast looks threatening, determine when to launch and how to communicate the details to all key participants." –Barbara

5) Problem: It's time to get to the ceremony site– but yikes! Traffic is horrendous.

"Check the community calendar for special events in the area, i.e. concerts or sporting events. Allow extra time to travel to your venue and if possible, determine alternate routes to the location. DO NOT wait until the last minute to begin your trip!" –Barbara

6) Problem: A vendor can't set up in the space you wanted.

"Ask the vendor to scout around the location and make a suggestion about where will work for them. Giving them the freedom to look around and find a solution that works for them will take some of the pressure off of you and will show them that you have trust that they will find a good solution. Your guests will never know that the photobooth should have been in the ballroom rather than the terrace! They'll just think the party is continuing outside too." –Jennifer

7) Problem: You were excited about the prospect of crafting six or seven DIY projects... until the week of your wedding arrived and you hadn't finished one. 

"DIY can sound like so much fun– but I see many brides staying up late before their wedding finishing up their projects and it can be quite stressful. I love the personal touch, but I suggest limiting it to maybe one project– like the escort card table or guest book." –Shawn

8) Problem: You lined up three or four speakers to give toasts before dancing begins– but each starts to go overtime and your guests are itching for the dance floor or dessert table.

"Coach your speakers ahead of time. Tell them that lengthy stories and roasting are more appropriate during the rehearsal dinner. Encourage them to practice, relax, speak from the heart, and be brief– after all, you are paying a band or DJ to get out there and dance, and you do not want to use up that time." –Barbara

9) Problem: Dinner service is taking longer than you had hoped. 

"Take a little extra time to go table-to-table talking with guests. Even if you've already gone to all the tables, go back to some or all of them. Your guests will love getting to chat." –Jennifer

10) Problem: A vendor is running late. 

"If they were supposed to perform during the cocktail hour, have them perform during the reception. If they were supposed to perform during the reception, hopefully they will arrive before the end and it will still be a wonderful surprise for your guests. Being flexible is so important because you can't always account for traffic, car problems, weather, and all other possibilities." –Jennifer

11) Problem: Drinks are flowing and emotions are high– and some of your guests and family members are starting to get too rowdy or rude.

"Discuss special family dynamics with your planner or director ahead of time– they will be sensitive to your situation and, if necessary, speak diplomatically with family members in order to create a peaceful and cooperative atmosphere." –Barbara

12) Problem: Something gets spilled on your dress. 

"First, don't panic; try to blot the stain if possible– do not rub stains! Blotting and using a little seltzer water are the best ways to treat an emergency stain. Even some products like Tide-To-Go can be damaging to fragile white gown fabrics. If it's not coming out, try to cover it with white chalk. If it's not major it's likely no one will notice except you, so it's not worth wrecking your makeup over." –Jennifer

13) Problem: Your color scheme was flawless– but the fabric for the tablecloths isn't matching the ballroom curtains and your specially-ordered chairs are clashing with the dance floor.

"Colors really don't need to match perfectly! I like to encourage clients to stretch the color palette which will create a bit of depth and interest." –Shawn

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