"I used to think a wedding was a simple affair. Boy and girl meet. They fall in love. He buys a ring. She buys a dress. They say, "l do.""

"I was wrong. That's getting married. A wedding is an entirely different proposition."

While we all know and love every sentimental and hilarious moment from the 90's classic "Father of the Bride", there are some seriously scary (and very common) wedding planning mistakes that the beloved Banks family (and our favorite wedding planner, Franck) make while planning Annie and Bryan's intimate (and totally fabulous) private residence soiree.

Today on Blush & Whim we are breaking down those cringeworthy moments to avoid to ensure you plan the wedding of your dreams:

MISTAKE #1

DON'T TALK ABOUT IDEAS WITH FAMILY BEFORE DISCUSSING WHO IS CONTRIBUTING AND THE OVERALL BUDGET

Remember when George Banks has a BBQ wedding daydream when Annie mentions her dream for a wedding at home? Where was the conversation about budget and how much everyone would be contributing? Write down and REPEAT this mantra (raise your right hand)- "I promise not to buy ANYTHING until my budget is set". Good? Moving on.

MISTAKE #2

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WEDDING PLANNER VS. A WEDDING COORDINATOR

Wedding Coordinator? What's a Wedding Coordinator?

A person who coordinates weddings.

When Nina and George have the conversation about hiring a wedding coordinator, they are getting a KEY point wrong. There is a MAJOR difference between a Wedding Planner and a Wedding Coordinator.

WEDDING PLANNER

PLANS your entire event (think Full Service Wedding Planning)

WEDDING COORDINATOR

Coordinates what YOU have planned (think Month-Of or Day-Of Coordination)

Make sure you ask potential wedding planners to define their packages for you if you are still feeling confused on what they will and will not handle when it comes to your event.

MISTAKE #3

NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR WEDDING VENDORS

Before Annie, Nina and George meet with Franck the wedding planner, George kindly asks the ladies to let him do all the talking because he "negotiates better than they do."

While you may be under the impression that negotiating is a way to shave costs, it is actually a way to ruffle potential vendors and lose out on contracts. Fees are set for a specific reason and it's considered bad etiquette to ask for deals or discounts unless they are offered.

MISTAKE #4

DON'T BUY ANYTHING UNTIL THE BUDGET IS SET!

One of the very first things Franck suggests to pull inspiration for the entire wedding (talk about pressure!) is choosing the CAKE. Not only is this totally ridiculous, it is also terrifying to start buying and booking vendors before your budget it set in stone. If you meet with a planner who starts suggesting ideas without even asking about your budget, run for the hills! Event Design and inspiration shouldn't even be discussed until well into the planning process, once all the essentials are booked and crossed off the list (budget, venue, hotel blocks, entertainment, etc.)

MISTAKE #5

SET YOUR GUEST LIST BEFORE BOOKING ANYTHING

Remember when George is at work, waiting for the wedding planning estimate to come in? When he hears $250.00 a head, he is ready to go ballistic. When the guest count comes in at 572, he spirals out of control. Until your guest list is SET, don't BUY ANYTHING (remember that promise you made earlier?) Avoid a major catastrophe and get your numbers straight before diving in.

250 x 572 = $143,000.00 (and that's the 90's, babes.)

MISTAKE #6

HIRE A GOOD WEDDING PLANNER OR WEDDING COORDINATOR

Watching the scene where George is stuck parking cars and misses dinner, the first dance, the FATHER/DAUGHTER dance (tears!) AND the bouquet toss and send off is heartbreaking. A good wedding planner will ENSURE that you and your family are present for every moment and memory.

Moral of the story? Avoid these common mistakes when planning your wedding and hire the pros so you can ENJOY YOUR DAY! (And watch Father of the Bride for comic relief.)