The Best Laid Plans of Brides and Grooms…

Statistically, there are so many things that could possibly go wrong with the planning and execution of a wedding that only 0.04 per cent of them should succeed. So why do we even try? The answer is, of course, obvious: because we'll overcome all sorts of difficulties to tie the knot with the one we love. And anyway, just because a few things might go wrong, most of the day will almost certainly run like clockwork. Here are a few snarl-ups we at GettingPersonal.co.uk have heard about, and possible ways to overcome them.

Badly Behaved Bentley

As any motorist knows, cars are not always renowned for their reliability, especially when you simply must be somewhere else. With thousands of working parts in each vehicle, only one has to fail for everything to grind to a halt. Your optimism might not be heightened by the tales of flat tyres, overheating engines and even running out of fuel on the wedding day. It's probably best put to them to the back of your mind - and to have a good solicitor. The car company should have a backup plan, even if it's phoning an emergency taxi. And you should never underestimate the kindness of strangers … especially when you're wearing a wedding dress.

The British weather

If you choose to get married in Britain, you can't exactly complain when the heavens open just as you're making your way out of the car. We might all pray for a lovely sunny day for the wedding, but it's just one more thing you'll have to put down to chance, whenever and wherever you get married. On the bright side, overcast skies can actually make the photographs look prettier by taking away harsh highlights and shadows, and if it's really pouring down, you might be able to have the wedding pictures taken in the venue or at the reception.

Altar states of mind

There's something about being in front of all your family and friends during one of the most important moments of your life that can make even the most confident person turn to jelly. The moments surrounding the vows are fraught with horrors. We hear of Best Men losing rings, brides and grooms forgetting the name of the person they are marrying, slips, falls and faints and bouts of uncontrollable tears. It's easy to say now, but don't panic! Everyone knows how nervous you are, and unless you're a trained performer, it's probably all new to you. No matter how perfect you wanted it all to be, these are the moments when a laugh and a bow will go a long way. You'll have forgotten about it by the time you're opening your wedding gifts anyway!

Absentees you could do without

It's a given that a no-show from the bride or groom will put a stop to the day's revelry, but it's amazing how many people there are whose absence could really spoil the day. The best man must rate pretty highly, especially if he has the ring. And the officiant should probably make an appearance too. But other people you've hired do occasionally get double-booked or simply forget to turn up on the day, and this can really put a dampener of proceedings. Imagine the disco without a DJ. Or the reception without the master of ceremonies. Or for that matter, imagine any of the venues without the appropriate staff. This is why a confirmation call a month, a week and the day before the wedding should go straight into your wedding planner. Make sure every single person, from the flower girl to the florist, is reminded. And it would also help if you had a list of backups just in case.

This article really only scratches the surface of potential wedding day mishaps. To be completely reassured, you need the Worst Case Scenario Wedding Handbook from GettingPersonal.co.uk. If something can go wrong, it will be in this magnificent and potentially blush-saving manual.