As we all have found out, what is learned for the TK exams does not prepare us for serious IFR flight planning. When I was doing my IR 40 years ago, you had to have 200 hours before being allowed to do the flight test. Once you had the rating, there were very few rated pilots around to ask advice and we did not have forums such as this or
http://www.ppl-ir.org that cater specifically for IR related questions such as equipment, met planning, route planning and much more.
I have played mentor for two newly rated IR pilots, and they learned new things on each and every flight. It is a license to learn.
I am very glad the OP asked questions, made the flight as planned and analysed it afterwards. This is a sign of maturity not of weakness.