POLL: What's your biggest stress/worry...

anndrewshealy

I am terrified that there will be a family fight.  we only have 40 people attending.  Just our immediate family and a few close friends. It will be the first time that my Dad and his new wife are in the same place as my mom.  Add the fact that his parents are also divorced and have called to tell me that the don't want anything to do with each other and it is a recipe for disaster.  I have done everything I can- they aren't sitting anywhere close to each other during the ceremony or the reception.  Now lets just hope that everyone can behave for one night!

marybrockington

My biggest worry is just numbers. Most family on both sides are coming from out of town and a few are going back and forth about if they're coming and them coming is dependent on whether I invite some people from work and stuff, so I'm just hoping everything works out ok with that, the food Im not too worried about, I haven't heard anything bad or good about my caterer but they seem very professional and the food was good when we tried it. Just crossing my fingers:)

slinn14

LauraAshley1221:  I'm with you when it comes to photographers!  They are way too expensive.  This is what my friend did, and also what I am planning to do:  She put an ad on craigslist saying where/when the wedding was and what they were willing to pay (in their case 800$) and asked people to send their portfolios/examples of their work. They didnt want prints or anything, just a cd of the digital photos, that way they can get their own photos printed and not pay a crazy price!  But they got TONS of responses, and yes some of them werent so great, but they ended up finding a great photographer.  There are lots of talented photographers out there that just dont happen to have built up the experience necessary to charge $3000.  Also, as a bonus, they got a second photographer that offered to photograph the wedding for free!  She was just looking for the experience and portfolio piece. 

Good luck!

rubymiene

The place we wanted has a 15 table minimum, and we won't have enough guests, so there will be a ton of leftovers. It's also pricier than I had hoped, but still within budget (but it sucks to be paying for leftovers).

On the other hand, it's a Chinese banquet, so it will probably be the best wedding food most of the guests have ever had. 

amethystmeg

Figuring out what is a reasonable budget for each part of the wedding/reception. I have been doing a lot of research for how much certain things cost. It seems like everything is estimated to cost more than I want to spend. For example, we want to do cupcakes and I would really like it if a bakery could do them for less than $2 a cupcake. However, I also have no idea what the delivery charges are going to be. So, unless I started calling all the vendors now I will have no idea how much we realistically need to save for.... It is very frustrating. Also, it would be nice to have examples of other brides flowers, photos packages etc and the breakdown of how much it cost so we know what to expect for the price and all those extra charges.

jstam

Definitely stressed about having a cash bar. We're having it at a hotel and we're not allowed to bring our own alcohol, so we're having a cash bar. I worry people will be annoyed with this but we just can't afford the open bar on top of everything else.

Also stressed that the DJ we hire will ignore our "no play" song list. I'm normally a nice person but if I hear the chicken dance.....

candice72

My biggest worry is that I will not be pretty enough.

brandyandbrian10

My biggest fears are people bringing all their kiddos, our reception place being too crowded, or our videographer not showing... I am a budget DIY bride but I still hope I won't be so crazy on my wedding day that I can't even enjoy it at all. Also, stressing over if I should do my own hair, or pay someone else $70 to curl it for me? Finding the cut off for DIY projects is driving me crazy! I am also stressing about the bar- we like many of you, dont drink much, but we want to have alcohol. I am considering putting beer/wine coolers in galvanized ice buckets and having pre made margaritas in a couple 3 gallon drink dispensers and then have salt, and olives to dress the drinks. Then having a couple of bottles of rum with coke and diet coke cold in galvanized buckets beside it. I dont see why people cant serve themselves... we will also have tea and water for non drinkers. Lastly, Im struggling with the decision to have appetizers or not. If we are eating right away I just dont see why people need appetizers also.... I know it will all come together, but its a lot of work!!!!

kyla73069

My biggest worry is that we are planning our wedding 'site unseen'.  But don't think we didn't try!  We made a special trip to Vegas to see the hotel/chapel/suite but the room wasn't available when we got there.  My FI and I live in Los Angeles and we're getting married in Vegas.  The plan is to have the ceremony & reception on the terrace of our suite.  I was originally told that we could accommodate up to 60 guests.  We're having 55.  Now I'm being told there's only room for 30 unless everyone stands the entire time.  We all know how unlikely that is!!  I'm sure the hotel has had many many weddings so I'm just gonna keep my fingers crossed that it all works out! 

The only other thing I'm worried about is having some $$$ left over for our HM! 

jlwoolery1

my wedding is just under 2 yrs away, and I would like to lose some weight. We got our budget dead on, and are well below what we were expecting to spend.  The bar, venue and food are all going to be amazing and there are a lot of bakeries in the area...I'm terrified of the dress and losing weight. I need to lose 50 lbs in order to have a healthy BMI, and I'm terrified I'll give up.

hellerhill

Since neither of us "drink", we're having an unmanned "coffee bar/station" instead.  Basic coffee will still be served during dinner/dessert but guests can also visit the "bar" throughout the evening to experiment with different flavors too.

kidder311

I was worried about this as well. I found a simple solution to having a nice cake and be able to feed everyone. We are ordering small 2 tear cake, just enough to take  pictures and feed the wedding party. For everyone else we will be serving sheet cake. It's from the same company and it's the same cake and frosting, it just isn't decorative, but seeing as it will be served on plates no one really notices.

jbrazis0601

I was having the same problem....until I talked to my coordinator at the reception site.  She said if we don't want to spend the money on an open bar, then we can just run a tab....say $1500.  And when the money's gone, then it's cash bar.  Hope it helps!

ashaem77

I am worried its going to rain! Our wedding is planned for outside at a gazebo, this has always been my dream, im worried it wont go as planned.

C*Mia

My worry is that one day my mom will wake up and take away the open bar I know she wouldn't but for me that would be awful!!!

mellosweetie

LauraAshley1221:
I agree with the craigslist idea. I went on and found a bunch of photographers in the area- just people looking for a little extra work on the weekends. I signed with someone for $100 an hour and I have all rights to the pics. The plus side is that most of them have a facebook page so you can see their work ahead of time!

Miracle Cat

I think that my biggest worries centre around hoping that everything is planned well, that everyone has a good time, that the food & cake are good and of course that the wedding comes in on budget, particularly since we're trying to do our wedding for around 80 people and have hopes that the budget won't be more than $4000....There are just so many things that could potentially go wrong, so many budget busters and so many complaints that people might have and I just want everyone to enjoy our wedding.

christinegrossardt

My worry is that I will forget something at home and will not be able to get it.. I live in utah and getting married in Las Vegas. The other thing that I am worried about is the food. We booked a place that is doing the food and I am not sure how it is going to be.

Monkey88

Honestly I decided not to worry about my wedding. The most important part is that we are getting married. If people don't like the food, well go grab a burger at McD. If they have a problem with the DJ, to bad maybe they should have requested some songs. This wedding is about the love my fiance and I share and our commitment to eachother before God. Even tripping as I walk down the aisle doesn't worry me, I'll just get right back up and keep walking. To much pressure is put into making everyone else happy and too much time is spent on worrying about things that will never actually be a problem. So I will plan to my hearts content, enjoy every minute of being engaged and worry about nothing, because it is our special day and it'll be perfect even if the choir is off key.
If I am going to worry about anything it is making sure both my fiance and I are happy with our plans for the most wonderful day of our lives.

Jo2040

My biggest worry is the thought of falling while walking down the isle...I can be clumsy, and can definately see it happenning!!

I'm also worried about my FI's family...his parents are divorced (really bad terms) and now his sister and dad don't talk (more family drama).  I'm really worried about how all this will play out...I do however have several people on standby to assist with asking people to leave if necessary...while I hope it dosn't have to come to this, I'm not having my and my fiance's day ruined by anyone else, family or not!  If they can't suck up there problems for a few hours, then I say don't come.

Wondering if anyone else has had this issue, and how they might have worked it to avoid any unnecessary drama??  Could really use some help with this one.  Beyond sitting them at different tables at opposite ends of the room, not sure what to do.  The room's big, but not huge, so it's likely they'll have to pass each other at some point in the night.

nordke

If you have a Sam's Club, or especially Costco, in your area, look to get your cake there. They only do sheet cakes, but it's perfect for guests. Really good, and really inexpensive. You do need a membership though, so maybe see if you know others that can bring you, or ask if you can get a free trial membership.

sheenammeder

My biggest worry is that it wont be any fun. We have gone to so many weddings that were so boring all we wanted to do was leave! I want my guests to have a great time, dance, party, eat, drink and be merry! Hopefully our open bar will help!

katup55

well i am worried that the familes wont get along. mine is from arkansa and his new hampshire. were meet in the army. and his family seemes to be from a differnt world. and i have cousins that could not hold thier tongues if they were dead! so this should be a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SincerelyHabibi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_poll-whats-biggest-stressworry?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:03fac300-bcf1-4f6b-9372-e2220597a2a9Post:6671a7f9-ca9c-4f56-a0ee-d13562f579be">Re: POLL: What's your biggest stress/worry...</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm worried about the cake.  Our cake budget is SO small because I just can't justify spending like $1000 on a cake.  But I'm worried I won't be able to get anything for what I'm prepared to spend and will just have to forego it all together.
Posted by lalap69[/QUOTE]

<strong>If you have a really small wedding cake budget</strong> you might try checking the nearby colleges and see if any have a culinary arts dept. I'm sure if they do you could find a student who would be willing to do it alot cheaper than anywhere else. Also for my wedding, since alot of people don't really eat cake and my wedding is very casual, I'm having a few mini cakes and then having some really elegant, artsy pies.

elfackler

That sounds crazy for a price point? We are providing two kegs of beer on us and the rest is a cash bar. My family does not drink, but friends and his family do. Our bartender is part of our service charge for the whole catered event and our service charge is lees then that. Where are you have your wedding or who is catering it? 1500 for just the bartender is outrageous.

 It should either be a 18% grat for the bartender or a service charge, but it should not cover the liquor. Please let me know. Although we are in different states I work in the industry and my work is doing my food and service for our wedding, so I know the ins and outs of the various charges.

-E. 

baker.2b

If your cake budget is small, you could consider doing just a sheet cake they cut in the back so you only have to have a 1 or 2 layer small decorated piece to bring out.

paulykira

We went the easy route with the food. Since the wedding is casual, the food is potluck. My only concern about this is that I don't know what we're eating until people start bringing it or RSVPing with it. Knowing my fiance's family though, quality and quantity are no issue. I just have to worry about the cake (stressing!) Throwing in some fingerfoods, and drinks.

sdavi084

I'm worried people just won't like what we're having. There is a wonderful BBQ place near us that we both love. It's known for always providing great catering. That being said, neither of our mothers like it at all and we're preparing to get them something else for the big day. However, our budget won't allow for a section option for anyone else that may not like it.

IsaI

my overall worry is def the budget bc we are doing this ourselves...and making sure it all goes according to the plan in my head! Very nervous, nothing about planning my wedding has been fun for me (except when I found my dress), so I pray that as we get closer..NOV 13,2010 its gets a lil easier! We are having the reception at a beautiful hotel in downtown Cleveland..and I know they will handle all the reception details..and my wedding planner will cover everything else..BUT its all the in between stuff that makes me nervous. I just pray for it all to go smoothly!

coker90

My biggest worry is that I won't be happy with the Ceremony or reception sites. I had my heart set on this beautiful ballroom that was around 35 minutes away from my house, but even though we arent getting married until July of 2012, it is already completely booked solid. So our backup plan came into effect and we are getting married in the same church and having our reception in the church's hall that my parents did. That being said my FI is freaking out about it, which in turn is making me freak out about it. My older sister got married at this ballroom and they were talking about it at her surprise birthday party on saturday and my FI was kind of like back into freak out mode about this whole thing. I keep telling him no matter where we get married all that really matters is that we end up Mr. and Mrs. Wade at the end of the day, but deep down i don't want to get married there either. And my dress, my mom talked me into getting this dress 2 years in advance and now im not a big fan, but of course it is non-returnable.