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 obvious, of course: it's because we are willing to overcome hell and high water to tie the knot with the one we love. And anyway, just because a few things might go wrong, the vast majority will probably run like clockwork. Here are just a few potential pitfalls ... and how to clamber out of them.

Badly Behaved Bentley

As any car owner knows, they 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 boosted by the stories of flat tyres, engines overheating and even running out of petrol on the big day. Just put them to the back of your mind. The car company should have a backup plan, even if it's phoning a taxi. And you should never underestimate the kindness of strangers ... especially if you're wearing a wedding dress.

The British weather

You chose to get married in Britain, so you can't really complain when there's a downpour just as you're making your way from the car to the venue. We might all want a nice sunny day for the wedding, but it's just another thing you'll have to put down to chance, whatever month you get married in. 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 your gathered family and friends during one of the most pivotal moments of your life that can make even the hardest constitution turn to jelly. The moments surrounding the actual wedding 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 weeping. 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 spoil the day. The best man must rate pretty highly, especially if he has the ring. And the officiant should probably make an appearance. But other people do 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 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.

So to make a wedding a success, it pays to get a wedding planner and plan ahead and in great detail. But come the day of the wedding, don't be surprised if everything doesn't quite work out as you had hoped. It's all part of making your wedding yours, and the bigger the catastrophe, the longer it'll be remembered!