Last Updated on April 21, 2023 by Project Party

Planning a wedding can be challenging, and in the midst of the preparations, you’re likely to encounter some disagreements with your partner. These wedding planning arguments can range from significant matters, such as setting the guest list, to minor ones, like deciding on the wedding theme. However, it is important to resolve such conflicts quickly and effectively to ensure that your planning process is not hindered. Dealing with these differences can help you strengthen your bond with your partner and make the most of your wedding preparations.

Here are 5 of the most common wedding planning arguments couples face, along with expert advice on how to resolve them:

1. Who Pays for What

According to tradition, the bride’s family is responsible for paying for the majority of the wedding expenses. However, modern couples often prefer to split costs evenly between both sets of parents or pay for everything themselves. If you’re stuck on who should foot the bill for what, sit down with your parents and discuss your options. There’s no right or wrong answer here, so do whatever feels best for everyone involved.

Our tips to avoid these wedding planning arguments:

• Work to an overall budget and be open about what each party is comfortable paying for and manage costs and payments over the entire period leading up to the big day rather all at once.
• Document and keep bills/receipts so that you can track expenses and avoid any misunderstandings later on.
• Be willing to compromise on certain items so write down your must-haves and be willing to let go of some of the less important details.
• Don’t let money become a source of tension or stress between you and your parents or your fiancé.

2. The Guest List (#1 Cause of Wedding Planning Arguments)

One of the trickiest parts of wedding planning is creating the guest list. If you and your fiancé can’t seem to agree on who should be invited, try using a tiered system. Make a list of your must-have guests (i.e., immediate family members and close friends), then the second tier of people you’d like to invite if there’s room (i.e., distant family members and acquaintances), and finally the third tier of people you’ll invite only if someone from a higher tier can’t make it (i.e., coworkers and casual friends). This way, you can be sure that everyone who’s important to you will be able to attend without going overboard on the guest count.

Our tips to avoid these wedding planning arguments:

• Start by each making a list of people separately and then cross-check to see who is on both lists. Add any names that are only on one list to the other.
• Once you have your combined list, start weeding out people who haven’t been in touch recently or who you know won’t be able to travel to the wedding.
• If you’re still having trouble agreeing, try using a “plus one” system where each person gets to invite one additional guest of their choice.

3. Having Kids Attend

Some couples feel strongly that children should not be invited to their wedding, while others are okay with having a few youngsters in attendance. If you can’t agree on whether or not to have kids at your wedding, sit down and consider why each of you feels the way you do. If one or both of you has young children yourselves, it might make sense to include them in the festivities. However, if neither of you is particularly fond of kids or if most of your guests don’t have any children, it might be best to keep it an adults-only affair

Our tips to avoid these wedding planning arguments:

• Talk about why each of you feels the way you do and try to come to an understanding or have kids only at certain parts of the wedding like the ceremony or reception.
• If you decide to invite children, be sure to include activities to keep them entertained (i.e., a kids’ table with colouring books and crayons).
• If you decide not to invite children, make sure to communicate this clearly to your guests so that there are no misunderstandings.

4. The Music

Music is one of the most important elements of any wedding ceremony and reception. It sets the tone for the entire event and helps create lasting memories for everyone in attendance. So it’s not surprising that music is often one source of disagreements between couples during wedding planning. If you and your fiancé can’t seem to agree on what kind of music should be played at your wedding, take some time to compile a playlist of songs that represent both of your musical tastes. You can also ask your DJ or bandleader for suggestions on how to create a mix that will please everyone in attendance.

Our tips to avoid these wedding planning arguments:

• Create a Spotify playlist or similar that you both can add to in the lead-up to the wedding to ensure a mix of both of your tastes.
• As well as combining your ‘must-have’ songs consider having a shortlist of songs from both partners that you wouldn’t want to be played.
• Think about what kind of atmosphere you want to create at your wedding (i.e., romantic, fun, etc.) and choose songs accordingly.
• Leave it to the professionals – bands and DJs know the songs that will get people up and dancing, so trust them to do their job.

5. Honeymoon Plans

After all the excitement of the wedding ceremony and reception dies down, it’ll be time for you and your new spouse to jet off on your honeymoon. But before you start packing your bags, take some time to discuss what kind of trip you both want to take. Do you want a relaxing beach vacation? An adventurous hike through unknown territory? Does a luxurious city escape sound exciting? Once you know what each other is envisioning, compromising shouldn’t be too difficult. But, if one person wants relaxation while the other craves adventure, maybe agree on a trip that has both options available. That way, everyone wins!

Our tips to avoid these wedding planning arguments:

• Have a conversation about what kind of trip you both want to take and try to find a middle ground.
• If one person wants relaxation while the other craves adventure, maybe agree on a trip that has both options available.
• Keep an open mind and be willing to compromise – you might be surprised at how easy it is to find a solution that works for both of you.

Handling Wedding Planning Arguments with Effective Communication

No matter what kind of disagreements come up during wedding planning, remember that communication is key. As long as you and your fiancé are able to talk through things calmly and rationally, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to come up with a solution that works well for both of you. Have faith in your relationship and believe that you’ll be able to get through anything that comes your way!