Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

Credit: Andres Molina via UnsplashWith more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success.

"You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day
1. No 'maybe' guests
From not RSVPing and unexpectedly showing up, to bringing uninvited plus ones, your guests can cause a whole lot of issues on your big day! Be firm when crafting your guest list - no RSVP means there's no meal or table setting, no wedding favour, and you haven't factored them into any evening catering arrangements. The same goes for uninvited children, and plus ones, especially if it's a new partner or unfamiliar acquaintances. After all, who wants a stranger in their wedding photos? Brides and grooms are encouraged to be mindful when selecting guests, only welcoming those who will wholeheartedly respect their wishes from the start.

2.Screaming children during your vows
This is often why couples opt for no children on their big day. Children are unpredictable and often choose the worst times (read: your emotional vows) to be loud. If you truly want to be in the moment and have young children at your wedding, please ask parents to leave with them if they start fussing.

3.Guests arriving empty-handed
Unless a couple has explicitly said 'no gifts' in the lead-up to the wedding, you bring a gift. Money for them to start their new life or go towards their honeymoon, an item for their home, something personal and handmade - it doesn't matter but you never show up empty handed.

4.Wedding crew in casual threads
Picture the scene: you're at your fabulous black tie wedding and sticking out like a sore thumb is your photographer or videographer in casual wear. Or worse - jeans. Unless your wedding is a laid back affair, ensure you tell your team to match your dress code. They need to blend into your day and look professional but you also don't want them to look like a bridesmaid or groomsman so don't forget to clue them into the colour theme too!

5.Leave red wine off the menu
Red wine...white dress. It's a recipe for disaster! Don't risk accidental spills by sticking to white wine or clear spirits, and keep red wine off the top table during your meal. Trust me, your dress will thank you for it!

6.Think twice about 'Cadbury' purple
This is more of a personal one, but... Anyone who was in the wedding industry in 2008 -2010 went through a period of every wedding being 'Cadbury' purple and it was such a strong colour we all got sick of it! It's a really hard colour for bridesmaids to wear and often doesn't work in reception settings. That being said, ultimately it's your day and we'll do whatever makes you happy!

7.Don't forget the canapés
Couples often do this to save money, but the cost of canapés is a drop in the ocean of your overall wedding budget and can make all the difference to your day, especially if your ceremony is at 12.30-2pm. You, your wedding parties, and your guests might have skipped lunch, or eaten lightly to get to the ceremony. By the time your wedding breakfast comes around, typically between 4pm to 5pm, you are all very hungry! Providing canapés not only keeps hunger at bay, but also elevates your guests' experience while you're having your posed photos taken.

8.Mocktails are now a must-have
Alcohol-free weddings are in fashion as a quarter of guests (24%) admitted to having ditched the booze at weddings, according to a survey by The Gilchrist Collection. Instead of leaving your sober guests sipping un-festive soft drinks and water, Gilchrist recommends providing a selection of trendy non-alcoholic beverages at the bar. Opting for a sober wedding can also positively impact your budget and avoid potential fallout from intoxicated guests spelling disaster!