There’s a lot that goes into planning an event. The Pinterest boards, the vendor calls, the guest lists, the fittings, the budgeting spreadsheets… and then, suddenly, it’s the actual day.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: no matter how well you plan, the day-of can throw curveballs. But it doesn’t have to throw you off.
At Oak-Sage, we’ve planned weddings, corporate launches, birthday dinners, and traditional ceremonies. Over time, we’ve seen the little things that tend to trip people up. So consider this your cheat sheet for staying grounded and actually enjoying the moment.
Here are five things to avoid on the day of your event and what you should do instead.
1. Doing Everything Yourself
Let’s start with the obvious. Yes, you’re a boss. Yes, you planned the whole thing. But on the day of your event, you shouldn’t be the one running around with a checklist, sending the driver back for the ribbon the decorator forgot.
Trying to manage every detail on the day will not only wear you out. It will also rob you of the joy of just being present.
What to do instead:
Build a trusted team. Hire a coordinator, call in your planner, or assign reliable friends to take charge of different aspects of the day. You deserve to experience your event, not just execute it.
2. Winging the Timeline
“We’ll just go with the flow” sounds nice. Until the MC forgets the bride’s entrance and the caterers start serving dessert before the main course. Chaos is not cute.
Every event needs structure. Not a rigid military schedule, but a clear plan for how the day should unfold.
What to do instead:
Create a flexible but clear timeline and share it with your vendors and key people ahead of time. Include everything from arrival and setup times to speeches, transitions, and entertainment slots. This one thing will save you from 10 unnecessary headaches.
3. Expecting Everyone to Just “Get It”
You’ve had all the conversations in your head. You’ve pictured the whole event down to the exact song you want the DJ to play when the cake comes out. But if no one else knows, it’s not happening.
What to do instead:
Take time to communicate your expectations clearly. Not just to your friends and family, but to every vendor involved. Share a detailed brief. Confirm key instructions. Make sure your planner or point person has a full list of what’s expected and when.
Don’t leave things to chance or assume people can read your mind. The smoother the communication, the smoother the event.
4. Forgetting to Plan for Yourself
It’s surprisingly easy to forget that you’re not just the planner or host. You’re also human — and probably the most emotionally invested person in the room.
You’ve checked on the guests, the décor, the vendors… but did you eat? Did you rest? Did you breathe?
What to do instead:
Assign someone to look out for you. Maybe it’s a planner. Maybe it’s your sister or a trusted friend. Give them permission to check on you, remind you to pause, bring you water, or simply take your phone for an hour.
Make space to enjoy your day. That moment of stillness or laughter you almost miss? It’s worth being fully present for.
5. Expecting Perfection
Let’s be honest. No event, no matter how planned, detailed, or beautifully designed, goes exactly 100 percent according to plan.
And that’s okay.
A vendor might arrive late. A minor item might get missed. A child might wander into your first dance video. Perfection is not the goal. Presence is.
What to do instead:
Go in with an open mind and a sense of humor. Focus on the energy, the connection, the people, and the meaning of the moment.
With a good team in place, most issues will be handled before you even know they existed. So let go of the tiny things and stay rooted in the experience.
Final Thought:
At Oak-Sage, we believe that events aren’t just about logistics. They’re about people. About moments. About memories.
You’ve done the work. You’ve made the plans. On the day itself, let yourself feel it all: the joy, the beauty, the love, the celebration.
Let us handle the rest.
hello@oaksageevents.com or oaksageglobal@gmail.com | +234 813 210 9091
