Couples Share Wedding Regrets
Eight Wedding Regrets
Shared by couples
The last thing you want to feel after your wedding is any sort of regret, but it’s actually not uncommon.
To help you navigate your own planning, I’ve gathered a handful of planning regrets that couples shared from their experiences.
While “to each their own” is always a wise preface to anything wedding related, these regrets are prevalent.
Traditions aren’t one size fits all—it’s (more than) okay to ditch them!
1. Not Having a First Look
Couples wish they had a private first look to ease their nerves & enjoy a rare moment alone. Having a first look would have also allowed them to spend more time together rather than apart on their wedding day.
The couples who did partake in a first look said it was their favorite part of their day. It’s an intimate moment to share with one another, which is rare on your wedding day.
“For all the first look skeptics (I was one!) — our first look was one of my FAV MOMENTS of the whole day. 1000/10 recommend!” - Katie, a previous bride
2. Having Too Many Guests
Pretty straightforward—more guests means more money & less time to actually visit with every person they invited. Some couples shared that they regret inviting people out of obligation.
When choosing to celebrate with a smaller group, it makes your day extra intentional. You’re able to have intimate one on one time with everyone, which is often unachievable when you have a larger guest count.
While it’s unintentional, the more guests you have—the less time you’re able to visit with every single one of them.
3. Not Eating Enough Food/Dinner
You might be surprised to learn that a lot of couples miss out on eating, even when it comes to their plated dinners. If not planned accordingly, reception events can often feel rushed & leave little to no time to actually sit down & enjoy dinner.
Planning ahead to have snacks readily available while getting ready, along with appetizers prepared & set aside just for you, & ensuring you have time to eat dinner is crucial.
4. Planning Out of Obligation
A common regret of couples was following traditions that didn't personally resonate, such as bridal parties, cake cutting, or parent dances. Even seemingly obligatory save-the-dates or wedding favors can feel like a necessity, but they don't have to be a must.
There can be so much excess that’s insinuated by traditional planning. If it doesn’t align with your vision/desires or your budget, toss it. The “need” to have something is purely perspective. Plan what’s right for you!
5. Wishing They Eloped Instead
The number 1 most common wedding regret is wishing they eloped instead. Most couples admitted that while they had a beautiful wedding day, they wish they opted for eloping. For these couples, the stress (& money) was not worth the effort.
It can feel like a lot of pressure to have a wedding for others to enjoy, but at the end of the day, this is about YOU TWO. Couples admit that if they could have done things differently, they would have prioritized themselves & eloped instead. Do with this information what you will.
6. Wishing They Had Full Day Photography Coverage
In hindsight, couples wish they had additional photography coverage to capture more of their wedding day memories to look back on. It may seem unnecessary to have getting ready moments photographed or late night events, but it’s the in-between moments that occur that couples wish they could look back on.
Clearly I am biased on this one, but more really is more here. You can cater the coverage to precisely what it is that you wish to relive through your photos—be it the beginning or ending of the day.
7. Wanted More Specific Photos
Couples expressed they would have been more precise on what they wanted photographed, such as a group photo & other specifics that were meaningful to capture.
It can be hard to know everything you want photographed, but taking a moment to note what’s most important is extremely helpful. For example: handcrafted invites, family heirlooms, favorite decor pieces, or your cousin who is also the officiant.
This is why I have my couples fill out a wedding questionnaire to specify what means the most to them, so I know exactly what to deliver.
8. Wishing They Had a Coordinator
It may seem like your friend or second cousin can handle the organization for the day, but trust me on this one—you’ll want a professional. Not only do they know the ins & outs, they'll keeping things flowing with ease.
Take it from me, you’ll be grateful for the help. Even if you’re the easy going, DIY type—coordinators offer so much more than getting you from A to B. They’re the real MVPs, from start to finish.
Here’s a few of my favorite coordinators I’ve worked with:
Wink! Weddings, Hello Gem Events, Xoxo Weddings, Walk Down The Aisle, The Love Riot, LB Events
Naturally, there’s always going to be something that when looking back on, you wish you did a little differently. Hopefully with this information, you can make plans that best suit your vision. When planning your wedding, it’s helpful to have mindful expectations. Plan with your heart first & the rest will fall into place.
