Common Wedding Regrets

A wedding day can be a whirlwind of a day. When looking back on your big day, we hope you don’t have any regrets. You plan and prepare as much as possible, but ultimately, some things are just out of your control. And that is okay, and even expected.

After talking with some of our couples, here are a few common regrets from the wedding planning process and the wedding day itself:

1. Not Spending Enough Time with Guests

The wedding day can be kind of crazy. Honestly, it can be a whirlwind that you don’t remember much of. You spend the whole day thinking about the big moment, and then it FINALLY comes.

After the ceremony, you have A LOT going on. The first dance, cutting the cake, dinner, throwing some flowers, lots of dancing, saying hello to guests, and (hopefully) sunset couple pictures.

One of the best tips we received is throughout the day, to take a moment to stop and take it all in. To really look around and be present. We love that idea.

As for the guests, sure, you’re going to want to speak to people. You invited them for a reason, and you want to thank them for coming.

Our tips here are: #1 don’t stress yourself out trying to talk to every single person that you don’t get to be on the dance floor.

#2 Instead of having dinner at your sweetheart table where everyone comes up to you and you never get to actually eat, have you and your groom an intimate place to eat for 5-10 minutes, so that you can then go back into your party and take extra time to say hello and speak to everyone. This will extend the time that you have available to make your way around to tables, or have them come to you.

2. Trying To Make Others Happy

When you’re planning a wedding, everyone is going to have an opinion. We guarantee it. As soon as you tell someone you’re engaged and planning a wedding, they are going to talk about their wedding, what they want to do, what they’ve heard someone doing, and so much more.

Here is the thing. These people probably have the BEST of intentions and want to share exciting stuff, but don’t let anyone sway you into doing something you don’t want to. This is typically true of parents being involved in the planning.

Sure, you value their opinion, and they may be footing the bill. But don’t be afraid to politely speak up if your wishes and voice isn’t being heard or considered.

The wedding is YOUR day. Make it YOUR day, not someone else’s.

3. Inviting Too Many People

Now, we aren’t talking about the size of the wedding, we are talking about the people. This is something we hear a lot.

When you’re looking at your wedding guests and thinking about who you’re going to invite, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the, “I would feel bad for not inviting them” trap. Part of this is valid, there are some people, either friends or family who would be VERY hurt if you didn’t invite them, which is fair.

BUT there is the other side of this coin, where you shouldn’t invite people unless you REALLY want them to be there. Once you start inviting one person who you aren’t excited about, then you have to invite that other friend, and then that other family member, and it just keeps going and going.

Look, we know it’s not easy making your guests list but think about who you want to spend time with. Who would you be sad if they weren’t there on your big day? Who is that person that you’ll look back on and wish you had invited 10 years down the road?

4. Picking “New” Vendors or “Family” Just To Save Money

If you’ve had friends or family get married, you might have heard stories about letting your cousin do the catering, your friend be the planner, or having your uncle be the photographer. Some times those stories end GREAT, and everything went off without a hitch and they saved money. WHOO, that is ideal!

But, more than likely, it didn’t end that way.

This isn’t to say that you can’t have your friends and loved ones helping at your wedding. Maybe your cousin has been a videographer for a few years and has captured a few weddings. If you trust them and they have some experience, go for it! Now if that cousin just got a “new fancy camera” and has really been wanting to try filming his first wedding, maybe yours isn’t the one.

It can be a good way to get everything you want while saving money, but don’t choose someone just because you have the relationship with them. Ultimately, if you aren’t happy with the (free or cheap) service they provide, it’s going to hurt your relationship anyways.

Make sure this person will be able to give you exactly what you want. Don’t sacrifice your wedding day happiness to let them gain experience. There are nice ways to handle this kind of situation with grace, so don’t worry so much about hard feelings if you don’t choose them as your vendor. If they truly love you, they’re going to understand.

5. Uncomfortable Shoes

This one might seem random, but trust us. You may be thinking, “oh of course, you’re talking to the bride on this one”. Well yes, of course. That’s a given. But we are also talking to the groom!

Groom-to-be, you’re going to be in those rented dress shoes for likely up to 6-7 hours on your wedding day. Our suggestion to you would be to forego the rented shoes that come with your tux, and to purchase some nice, comfortable (think memory foam insole) dress shoes that fit you well and that you’ll be able to use again after the wedding day. You won’t regret it.

Brides, for you, we suggest picking a shoe that is on the more comfortable side. Maybe a wedge or chunky heel will be helpful instead of stilettos, especially if you aren’t used to wearing those. Secondly, we suggest bringing a pair of more comfortable shoes to change into at the reception.

We have had brides bring Jack Rogers, Chacos, and even Converse to change into! Some of our more sporty brides have purchased white ones and worn them the whole day, which we think is so cute!

 

Regardless of your fears and worries about your big day, just know, the goal at the end of the day is that you’re married, and if that happens in the end, we call it a huge success!