Wedding wisely: How to avoid biases while planning your big day
Not so long ago, I video-called all of my loved ones to show off my hand with a new and important accessory on it. That’s right—I got engaged. After the excitement, tears, and shrieks over the phone ended, the realization that I now had to plan a wedding started to sink in.
As someone who takes her birthday parties very seriously, I was confident I could choose the perfect venue, menu, and music without any friction. Yet, soon enough, I felt various cognitive biases and heuristics creeping into the process. I was surprised to discover that irrational thinking escorted me even on my way down the aisle. Hopefully, after reading this short guide on which kinds of biases you should look out for while planning your wedding, you will have the power to make them stand still before reaching the altar.
The one
Congratulations, you found the love of your life! And now, you’re ready to declare it to the world. A wedding is supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the pressure is felt instantly after someone pops the question. Not only is your significant other “The One,” but the entire event is, too!
Non-coincidentally, the question “Is this The One?” has been used by many of the wedding vendors I’ve spoken with about any product they are trying to sell: the gown, the venue, the flower arrangements, you name it!
This all comes down to the power of the framing effect. Identical information can sound more or less enticing depending on what is highlighted. For instance, when dress sellers and bakeries used “love” semantics, I felt as though I needed to treat selecting the veil or cake decorations as seriously as choosing my own life partner. These carefully chosen words can influence our decision-making process and sway us to exceed our budget.
About the Author
Yael Mark
Yael Mark is a seasoned product manager with a true passion for behavioral economics/science. In her works, Yael is focusing on implementing applicable behavioral theories to influence user adoption, enhance retention and elevate engagement levels.
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