TOP WEDDING REGRETS | 200+ brides
Top Wedding Regrets from Over 200+ Brides: Essential Tips You Don’t Want to Miss
Planning a wedding is an intense and emotional journey. With so many details to manage, it’s easy to overlook certain elements that may later turn into “I wish I had…” moments. After speaking to over 200 brides, I compiled the top wedding regrets they shared, and I hope these insights help you avoid any “I wish I had…” moments on your big day. Let’s get into it!
1. Skipping the Wedding Videographer (Yes, You Do Need One)
I know I sound like a broken record at this point, but the data doesn’t lie: almost every bride I surveyed who skipped hiring a wedding videographer admitted it was one of their biggest wedding regrets, if not their biggest wedding regret.
While wedding photography is invaluable, high-quality videography captures something still photography couldn’t come close to — the raw emotions, the energy, the magic of your day and the ability to truly teleport you back to those moments, so you can relive them as a couple for the rest of your life. Trust me - Your wedding day flies by so fast, so having footage of your vows, the heartfelt speeches, the laughter and all the in-between moments is truly irreplaceable.
I know It’s easy to consider cutting wedding videography for budget reasons, but trust me (and so many other brides), those living, breathing memories are worth every penny. If there’s any room in your wedding budget, make it happen— I promise you won’t regret it!
2. Not Spending Enough Time Together on the Wedding Day
This was surprisingly the second most common regret, but it’s one that I could easily see unintentionally happening. Many brides I spoke to, found that despite all the time and planning that went into the day, they barely spent time together with their new spouse on their big day! It’s easy to get swept up in conversations with you wedding guests, but don’t let that pull you away from time with each other.
For our own wedding, I made this a priority. We had a destination wedding with multiple days worth of events, so my fiancé (now husband) and I used our wedding welcome party to greet and mingle with everyone. On the wedding day itself, we had a pact: we wouldn’t separate and we would be by each others side the entire evening. This day only comes once(at least we hope lol), and you want to wake up the next morning having spent it together as a couple, and being able to relieve all the memories of the best day of your life together—because at the end of the day, that’s what the entire point of the day is all about.
3. Not Writing and Reading Personal Vows (This is My one Wedding Hill I will Die On)
One thing that surprised me is how many brides regretted not reading their own vows. It’s a growing trend to skip personal vows in public or to keep them private, but out of everyone I surveyed—from former co-workers, family and friends, my own clients to even brides in my sister-in-law's wedding party—only one bride was glad they skipped this aspect on their wedding day.
While I know that private vows have become a popular trend lately, I'm here to make the case for at least taking a small moment to declare your love in front of your closest friends and family. There's something truly unforgettable about sharing those heartfelt words during your wedding ceremony, creating a powerful emotional impact. Remember, your guests have often traveled far and wide (especially if you’re having a destination wedding) to witness this moment with you, and hearing your vows is a meaningful part of the experience. Don't miss the chance to let all of your wedding guests and loved ones in on the journey that brought you both here today—it's a moment you’ll never have the opportunity to go back and experience again.
For me personally, this is my one wedding hill I will die on - If you’re not reading your own personal wedding vows did you even get married? And of course I’m slighting joking, and I also get that it’s not for everyone, but there’s something incredibly meaningful about sharing your own original wedding vows and promises that are authentic to you as a couple, in front of the people who love and support you most.
Final Thoughts
Between the whirlwind of the big day, the often overwhelming wedding planning process, and unsolicited opinions from everyone under the sun, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—you as a couple and your priorities. Period.
Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life, and every moment should reflect what genuinely sparks joy and feels authentic to you as a couple.
Here’s my number one tip for cutting through the noise: ask yourselves these two questions throughout the entire wedding planning process
Does this spark joy for us?
Does this feel authentic to us as a couple?
If the answer is no to either question, axe it immediately. Seriously, whose wedding is this anyway? Anything that doesn’t spark joy for you as a couple, doesn’t deserve a place on your big day.
Take these tips to heart, and I guarantee you will avoid a handful of common wedding regrets a lot of couples have.
Now time to settle this debate on my hot take: Are you Team “Read Personal Vows in Public” or Team “Private Vows Only”? Drop your thoughts in the comments—Dying to hear what everyone thinks on this topic!
xoxo đź’‹
THE MODERN BRIDE GUIDE
