There are so many moving parts that go into a wedding day — the venue, florals, coordinating the wedding party, choosing the perfect dress, and locking in your color palette and theme. With all these decisions to make, it’s only natural that a few things might not turn out exactly as planned.

After photographing countless weddings and chatting with my past brides, friends, and family, I’ve gathered a list of the most common things people wish they had done differently on their wedding day. If you’re currently in the middle of planning, here’s your chance to learn wedding regrets from real brides.

1️⃣ The Venue

Honestly, this is one of the most common regrets I hear. With how much venues cost, it’s so important to pick one that truly reflects your vision and vibe. When I asked my mom what her biggest wedding regret was, she didn’t hesitate:

“I would have chosen a different venue. It felt more like a banquet hall than a wedding venue. I would have loved to just got married at the beach”

Tip:
Think outside the box when venue hunting. You don’t have to stick to the top results on Google! Consider local parks, family properties (check out Pearly & Cole’s wedding) , private estates, or state parks. And before booking, make sure you ask what’s included — things like tables, chairs, getting-ready spaces, and lighting packages can really make a difference in both budget and experience.

2️⃣ Hair and Makeup

This is another big one. Sure, you can absolutely do your own makeup or have a makeup-loving friend help out, but wedding day beauty is a different ballgame. Professional artists not only understand photography-friendly makeup, but they also help keep the morning of your wedding calm and stress-free.

Tip:
Book a trial (or two!) and use them for your engagement photos or bridal shower so you can see how everything wears throughout the day. Meet a few artists, chat about their style, and make sure it matches your vision. You deserve to feel like your absolute best self on your wedding day.

3️⃣ Hire a Videographer

So many couples tell me after the fact that they wish they’d hired a videographer. Photos are amazing (obviously!) — but video captures your vows, the toasts, your dad’s teary-eyed reaction, and your partner’s voice cracking during the first look.

Tip:
Even if it’s a simple highlight film or a family member with a good camera, having movement and sound from your day is something you’ll treasure more than you realize.

4️⃣ Don’t Skimp on the Photographer

Okay, I might be a little biased here — but it’s not just me saying this. One of the most common regrets brides share is not investing enough in their photographer. These photos will be your memories for a lifetime.

Tip:
Look for a photographer whose work makes you feel something. Someone whose editing style and approach align with what you love. And make sure you vibe with them personally too — they’ll be by your side all day!

5️⃣ Focus on What Matters to You

It’s easy to get swept up in trends, traditions, and Pinterest-perfect expectations. At the end of the day, your wedding should reflect you as a couple.

Holly told me, “I wish I didn’t listen to so many people. It sounds mean when I put it that way, but I wanted the vibes to be a bit different. Family and friends convinced me to be more traditional.”

Tip:
Pick 2-3 things you care about most (flowers, food, photos, music — whatever speaks to you), and let everything else be simple. You’ll be much happier focusing your energy and budget on the things that actually matter to you.

6️⃣ Pad the Timeline

One of the biggest stressors on a wedding day is falling behind on the timeline. Brides always tell me they wish they’d built in more breathing room.

Tip:
Add extra time between big moments like getting ready, the first look, and the ceremony. Trust me — you’ll be so grateful for those pockets of calm.

7️⃣ Eat Before the Ceremony

Seems obvious, but it’s shockingly easy to forget! Between hair, makeup, nerves, and last-minute details, a lot of brides barely eat all day.

Rachael told me, “I was so hungry. I remember waiting to go down the aisle and just wanting to eat a horse! My nerves and time didn’t let me eat more than a few bites, but by the reception I had my appetite back.”

Tip:
Have a snack tray or light lunch ready in your getting-ready space. Hydrate, too. You’ll thank yourself later.

8️⃣ Communicate with Your Wedding Party

A lot of little stressors can be avoided by making sure your wedding party knows what’s happening, when, and where.

Alex shared, “I wish I talked with my wedding party and family members more before the wedding. I felt like everyone didn’t know where they needed to be or that we had to find someone. Especially for group photos.”

Tip:
Send out a simple schedule or group text the week of your wedding. Include arrival times, dress codes, and any special duties. It keeps everyone on the same page and makes for a smoother day.

9️⃣ Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

I hear this one after almost every wedding. Tiny things will go wrong — the seating chart might get shuffled, a boutonnière might disappear, it might drizzle during portraits. And you know what? It’ll still be perfect.

Tip:
Let go of perfection and embrace the moments as they come. It’s the real, candid, beautifully imperfect things that you’ll remember most.

🔟 Pay Attention to the Details — Even Undergarments

It’s easy to overlook the little things like undergarments, but comfort matters on your wedding day. Emily shared this perfectly relatable regret:

“My undergarments, haha. They were not comfortable and just didn’t fit that well under my dress. I was constantly fixing them. Try on a lot of undergarments with your gown!”

Tip:
Test everything you’ll be wearing ahead of time — from your shoes to your earrings to your shapewear. It’ll save you from annoying distractions on your big day. Check out these tips from Brides.com

✨ Bonus: My Own Wedding Regrets

I’ll be honest — I have a few, too. I got married in 2017 when I was already a photographer, and it still didn’t save me from having a couple of “I wish I’d done that differently” moments.

“I wanted a simple, calm, and small wedding, and that is what I got. But looking back, I would have written and shared private vows, which we didn’t do at all. I also wish we had gotten ready together. First looks were just getting popular, but I was superstitious and more traditional back then. Now, I think I would have loved to help my husband tie his tie, and he would have helped me with my shoes. A quiet morning together would have been so sweet.”

✨ Final Thoughts

No wedding is flawless, but it will be yours — and that’s what matters. These wedding regrets from real brides aren’t here to scare you, but to help you plan with a little more intention and a lot less pressure.