Planning a wedding can be fun, but it also can be frustrating. And at times, it may feel mind-boggling. You could be tempted to throw caution to the wind and do whatever you want. It’s your special day after all, right? Maybe so, but you still need a solid plan for your event. Experts weigh in on the most common wedding planning mistakes couples make – and how to avoid them.

Forget About the Price Tag

Money matters, especially when it comes to weddings. You can’t ignore the dollars – or your sense. Before you choose a firm date or book vendors, you must make a budget.

If the mere mention of budgeting strikes terror in your heart, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean a bare-bones celebration. You just have to be realistic. Wedding Wire’s Kim Forrest offers some tips for creating an accurate spending plan:

• Research total costs in your area.
• Find out vendors’ average rates.
• Determine who’s footing the bill.
• Figure out your key priorities.
• Include a line item for emergency costs.
• Decide how you’ll pay.

I Simply Must Have Dahlias, Darling

Life isn’t perfect. Your wedding won’t be flawless, either. Details are key to your wedding vision, but you must sometimes compromise.

Flowers are one example. You dream of phalaenopsis, but a ladybird population explosion decimates the latest crop. That’s why The Knot warns against getting stuck on specific flower types. But in truth, this advice applies to almost any wedding detail.

No Other Date or Place Will Do

You have your heart set on a Juneteenth wedding. Tying the knot is a wonderful way to celebrate! Except there’s one problem: Your favorite vendors are booked. And none of your preferred sites are available. But, oops! You’ve already hit up your fam online and printed save-the-date cards.

This is a common faux pas among couples, as expert Deanne Revel reveals. If you’re in this situation, you have a choice to make. Do you stick with your date and settle for another venue? Or do you choose a nearby date that your venue has open?

Flexibility and priorities are key here. Yet you can avoid this problem by picking your venue first. Instead of a specific date, have a date range in mind. You can also try choosing your preferred date and a runner-up. Either way, you’ll have options and you won’t feel boxed in.

We Got the Numbers

You may have heard that 15% of invited wedding guests decline their invitations. While that’s a safe estimate, you shouldn’t completely count on it. Some couples purposely pack their guest lists with that expectation. And when more show up than they bargain for, that’s a big problem.

It’s unwise to make such a gamble with your numbers. But Martha Stewart Weddings suggests restricting your numbers a bit more. Find out how many people your venue can hold, then subtract 10% from that. The resulting figure should be the maximum number of people you invite. For a small venue with an occupancy limit of 75, that works out to 67 people.

Who’ll Stop the Rain?

Your spouse-to-be popped the question on a Myrtle Beach vacation. You’ve found the exact spot and decide to have the ceremony there. Saying “I do” with the sea at your back and white sand under your feet is a dream come true. That is, until a hurricane threatens this fantasy.

Unless you have a backup plan, your dream wedding can become a nightmare. Avoiding this problem is simple. Choose a venue with indoor and outdoor spaces large enough to accommodate your event.

Mind the Important Stuff

Your wedding involves lots of details. You needn’t stress out over them all, but you do want to steer clear of common problems. Knowing how not to plan your wedding can make a big difference for your special day. A little extra prudence and forethought can keep your event memorable for all the right reasons.