If there’s one thing we’ve learned after over two decades in the wedding world, after months (sometimes years) of planning, hundreds of checklists, and countless ceremonies, it’s that even the most thoughtful couples can walk away with a few “I wish we had…” moments. And while regrets are completely normal in any big life event, the good news is that most wedding day regrets are completely preventable with the right mindset, planning strategies, and a little insider knowledge.
Today, I’m sharing the most common wedding regrets we’ve heard from couples after the big day and how you can avoid them so your celebration feels intentional, joyful, and truly unforgettable.
#01: “I Wish We Had Hired a Professional Photographer/Videographer.”
We understand if you have a family friend or your cousin is an aspiring photographer. Or maybe you’re banking on some cute candids from your guests throughout the day. Or maybe you didn’t leave enough room in the budget for a professional.
Photos and videos are the way you’ll relive your day years from now. Yet, this is one of the top areas couples try to cut costs, only to regret it later.
Couples often tell us:
“The photos didn’t capture the emotion.”
“We barely have any images of our families.”
“I regret not getting a video, we missed so much!”
Our advice is if your budget is tight, scale back somewhere else, but invest in the best photographer and/or videographer you can afford. Look at full galleries, not just Instagram highlights. Make sure you vibe with their personality because they’ll be with you all day. If a full videography package feels too big, ask about a highlight reel. Even a short film is worth its weight in gold.
#02: “We Wish We Had Eaten More!”
A big majority of your budget goes towards food on your wedding day. You’d be shocked how many couples realize at 11 p.m. that they barely touched their dinner. Between greeting guests, posing for photos, and keeping the timeline on track, the meal disappears in a blur. Our advice is to plan a time to eat and eat intentionally. Sweet heart tables are the perfect place for you and your spouse to get a moment to breathe and eat. You can even consider a private dinner, or cocktail hour directly after your ceremony. Your caterer should be able to prepare some plates and appetizers for you, as long as you communicate! For the end of the evening, ask your caterer in advance to pack to-go boxes for later.
You deserve to enjoy the food you carefully selected and paid for!
#03: “I Wish We Had Stuck to Our Guest List Boundaries!”
Many couples feel pressured to invite extra coworkers, extended relatives, or plus ones for people they barely know. Later, they often regret spending thousands more to accommodate guests they don’t feel truly connected to.
Your guest list should reflect:
The people who support you.
The people you actually want there.
The people who will bring joy not stress to your day.
Set boundaries early and stick to them. You’ll protect your budget, your time, and your peace of mind.
#04: “We Should Have Hired a Wedding Planner or Day of Coordinator”
We’ve been guests at weddings where we’ve heard this. We’ve known the most meticulous brides, who may even enjoy planning the details of their wedding day, but do not often realize how chaotic the wedding day logistics can be. We’ve heard everything from:
“ We didn’t know who was supposed to cue the DJ”
“ My mom ended up setting up decor and tables instead of enjoying the day”
“ Vendors kept asking me questions during my wedding day”
We know you’re capable. But, hiring even a day of coordinator is one of the best investments you can make. A day of coordinator handles everything from vendor arrivals, set up and take down, timeline management, problem solving and you don’t have to hear about it. We are there to support any last minute emergencies and most importantly gives you the space (and your family) to actually be present instead of working your own wedding day.
#05: “I Wish We Had Spent More Alone Time Together During the Day”
A wedding day can feel like you’re both hosting separate parties. Afterward, many couples are surprised when they realize they spent most of their day apart. We highly recommend you plan intentional time together. You can…
Do a first look so you can have private moments before the ceremony
Ride together to and front the venue
Stay connected during cocktail hour
Enjoy dinner, at you sweethearts table
Build in couple portrait time to have some alone time
Spend private time together post ceremony to have some bubbly and appetizers
Your wedding should be an experience you share together, not two separate schedules happening at once.
#06: “We Regret Stressing Over Things That Did Not Matter”
Every couple has at least one moment where they look back and think: Why was I so worked up over that? Whether it’s the exact shade of napkins or the weather forecast three weeks out, hindsight is always clearer. Here’s what actually matters:
The people.
The memories.
The love you’re celebrating.
You and your partner.
Here’s what doesn’t matter:
The tiny imperfections no one else will notice.
The things you can’t control (like weather).
Minor timeline hiccups.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, zoom out and ask: “Will this matter in five years?” If the answer is no, release it. Most of the time, no one else realizes all the little things but you. So, sit back, and let the minor stresses go. It’s not worth it. At the end of the day, if you and your partner are married – you’ve done it all.
#07: “We Wish We Had Reviewed our Timeline More”
Smooth wedding days don’t happen by accident. Couples often regret not thinking through:
How long hair and makeup actually takes
Travel time between locations
Time needed for family photos
How long dinner service realistically takes
If you don’t have a wedding planner and you’re stressed about a timeline, this is a huge reason why we recommend our services. A big portion of our job is ensuring every detail of your wedding day is added to the timeline. We ensure that your timeline is efficient and will not feel rushed. Having a carefully curated timeline means that there is less stress.
We recommend you create your timeline with your wedding planner and coordinate with your vendors. Your vendors are the best advice to know how long something actually takes. Then, make plenty of copies for vendors, wedding parties, and immediate family so everyone is on the same page.
A well planned timeline equals a calm, joyful wedding day.
#08: “We Regret Not Taking More Family Photos”
Most couples tend to prioritize candid photos, which we love, but often our couples realize that they are missing portraits with their loved ones. We recommend sitting down with your partner and determining what portraits you’d like to have with your grandparents, siblings, or extended families. Then, sit down with your photographer or send a list over, that includes the following information:
Names
Relationships
Groupings that you want and in what order
Any mobility issues or timing preferences (ex. Golden hour)
Your planner can definitely help you gather all your loved ones, but we suggest designating a friend or family member that knows all the individuals and can help gather them quickly. You can even have your DJ make announcements of the parties needed for pictures. It makes family portraits efficient, stress free, and meaningful.
#09: “We Wish We Had Spent More on the Things that Mattered to Us.”
Sometimes couples realize too late that they cut costs in the wrong areas simply because they were trying to be “reasonable.” Some things that we’ve heard:
“I wish we had spent more money on food we liked”
“I wish we had rented the nicer linens”
“I should of listened to my gut and gotten the dress that I wanted”
Sit down and identify your top three priorities as a couple. Spend your money and time intentionally on those. Save on the items that matter less to you – not your family, not pinterest and definitely not trends.
Weddings feel most beautiful when they reflect your values, not someone else’s expectations.
#10: “We Wish We Soaked it in More”
Your wedding day goes by incredibly fast. We can’t tell you how many couples tell us, “it went by so fast, I wish I had slowed down and really taken everything in.” Your wedding is a day filled with a whirlwind of emotions, people, and movement. It’s so easy to get swept away. Build intentional moments and stillness into your day to just breathe.
Take a moment alone after the ceremony
Add private moments into your timeline
Step back from the reception to look at the room and your loved ones together
Pause to breathe
Those small intentional pauses often become the most cherished moments of the entire day.
Every couple experiences a few wedding day “lessons,” but with thoughtful planning and the right support system, you can minimize regrets and create a celebration that feels deeply authentic and joyful. Your wedding doesn’t need to be perfect, it simply needs to feel like YOU.
As your planner, our goal is to help you build a day where every decision serves your happiness, captures your love story, and creates memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.