Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Lorraine Ross-Clunie of Elegant Weddings fixes her display of ice and fruit carvings plus wedding cakes at the Wedding Extravaganza at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in March. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Most things that can go wrong on your wedding day are hinted at during the planning stages, according to Lorraine Ross-Clunie, caterer and wedding planner. An indecisive bride or one party being burdened with the brunt of the work all hint that there might be trouble ahead. There are numerous things that can go awry, so always have a plan.

Have a wet-weather plan

Ross-Clunie suggests that if it's an outdoor wedding during the hurricane season, have a plan B and C in case it rains. You can stage it beneath a tent.

Choosing the Dress

She recalls an instance where she was responsible for sourcing the gown for a bride who took her sisters and mother along to help with the process. Her mother selected a dress to which the bride made no objection.

But on a later visit, the bride returned with her sisters, they selected something else, and the bride didn't object. A week before the wedding, when she came for her final fitting, this time with her best friend, the friend enquired whether she really liked the dress. The bride revealed that she didn't. They had to get her another dress.

Ross-Clunie also advises that before agreeing to wear your mother-in-law's old wedding dress, ensure you see and fit it before. It may not be in good condition, suit your style or it could simply be outdated.

Family members butt out

While families play an integral role in weddings, many parents even pay for the event, Ross-Clunie said they should allow the couple to make all major decisions. These include menu, programme order and location. Many children feel obliged to go with their parents' suggestions when they are paying the bills. So family members should make suggestions without applying pressure.

Menu

One bride Ross-Clunie worked with wanted pork and shellfish on the menu but her fiancé and his parents ate neither. The bride insisted she wanted them to be a part of the menu. The compromise was to prepare a couple of servings of the offending food and discretely serve them to a select few.

Rings

Never give the ring bearer your rings, even if it is to walk down the aisle. There have been instances where Ross-Clunie has had to slip off her own rings to allow the ceremony to go on because the young ring bearer lost the wedding rings. Also, do not place the real rings on the bearer's pillow, give him faux ones, the real ones might fall and roll under a bench. To avoid this, give them to the best man, not the groom.

Dressing and Transportation

Ross-Clunie has had to abort final catering duties on the wedding day to transport the bride to the wedding, only also to have to drive around to wait for members of the bridal party.

To avoid this, she advises that that the groom and his party get dressed at the same location and the bride and her party do the same. Make sure that their transportation is clearly outlined.

Donations

She has had to deal with a live ram goat which one family member brought to her the day before the wedding. When loved ones offer items to help with the menu, request them at least two weeks in advance, or better yet, take cash.

This draped tent is an example of what an alternative location can be if bad weather threatens a wedding. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer