The 5 Overlooked Things That Will Derail Your Wedding Day!
- Tamesha Kinloch-Carter
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Planning a wedding is no joke. You’ve got Pinterest boards, spreadsheets, and probably a group chat that’s one passive-aggressive message away from imploding. But even with all the planning in the world, there are a few things that couples still miss and when they do, the whole day can go left real fast.
I’m Tamesha Kinloch Carter, lead planner at FMTY Weddings & Events and your no-nonsense wedding strategist. In this post (based on Season 4, Episode 4 of Did You Say Something...), I’m calling out the 5 things that get overlooked all the time and how they can quietly, quickly derail your wedding day.
Notice I didn’t say might.I said will.
Let’s get into it.
1. The Timeline Nobody Knows About
You might have the perfect wedding timeline saved in a Google Doc. Great. But if that timeline hasn't seen the light of day since your planner created it three months ago, you’re already setting yourself up for trouble.
Your timeline only works if:
Everyone involved has seen it
Vendors have a copy
The wedding party knows key times
It’s being followed
I’ve seen weddings start 40 minutes late just because the makeup ran long or a shuttle didn’t know when to come back. All of it could’ve been avoided if people had the info they needed upfront.
Your wedding day can’t run on vibes. Make the timeline visible, share it early, and make sure people know to follow it.
2. Vendor Meals
This one always causes a little tension, so I’ll keep it simple:If someone is working your wedding for 8 to 12 hours, they need to eat.
Photographers, Videographers, DJs, Coordinators they’re all putting in long shifts to make your day smooth. If you didn’t include meals for them in your catering count, they’re going to disappear at the worst time… usually when you're walking in for your grand entrance or trying to do your father-daughter dance.
Do not assume trail mix and water bottles will cut it. Add vendor meals to your count. Period.
3. Transportation Logistics
This one always sneaks up on couples.
You booked a limo for the wedding party love that. But:
Who’s getting the grandparents to the venue?
How’s the wedding party getting back to the hotel?
Who’s loading the gifts and flowers at the end of the night?
Does anyone know where to park?
These are not things to figure out the day of. You need a plan, a backup plan, and probably a group text just for transportation. Assign drivers, hire a shuttle, or bring in a coordinator who can manage the flow. Just don’t leave it to chance.
4. Not Enough Help During Setup
Let’s say your venue gives you access at 10 AM and your ceremony starts at 4. You’ve got 150 chairs, 12 tables, signage, florals, and maybe even a DIY photo booth to set up. You and two bridesmaids are going to do all that and still be ready on time?
No ma’am.
Your wedding party is not your setup crew. You need help. Real help. Preferably a professional team. If not, then friends or family who’ve been given clear, written instructions ahead of time.
Setup takes longer than you think. Plan for that, or you’ll be getting your makeup done while yelling directions across the room.
5. No Designated Point Person
You should not be the one answering questions about the cake, the seating chart, or where to plug in the DJ’s equipment on your wedding day.
If you didn’t hire a professional day-of coordinator (and honestly, go listen to Episode 1 if you’re still on the fence), then assign someone you trust, a friend or family member to be your point person.
Give them:
A copy of the timeline
Vendor contact info
A fully charged phone (or walkie if you're fancy)
You’re supposed to be present, joyful and relaxed on your wedding day — not running around solving problems.
Final Thoughts
Let’s recap the 5 things that will derail your wedding if you don’t handle them:
A timeline no one follows
No meals for your vendors
Transportation confusion
Not enough help with setup
No clear point person for the day
None of these are huge on their own, but they each matter more than you think. Weddings usually go sideways not because people don’t care, but because they didn’t plan for the small stuff.
And listen, it’s not about making everything perfect. It’s about being prepared. That’s how you protect your peace and actually enjoy your wedding day.
Your only job that day?Show up. Feel loved. Be in the moment.
Let your team handle the rest.
Liked this post? Be sure to subscribe to the Did You Say Something... podcast and leave a review if it’s helping you plan smarter.
And don’t miss next week’s episode:“Stop Playing Dress-Up: Hire a Real Wedding Party.”
Yes, I’m going there.
Until next time,
Tamesha Kinloch Carter
FMTY Weddings & Events | The Planner Wedding Magazine
Subscribe to my podcast "Did You Say Something?" so you won't miss anything!
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