Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life, but it’s not uncommon for brides to experience some regrets after the fact. From overspending on the dress to not hiring a professional photographer, there are a number of things that brides wish they had done differently. I’m here to help you learn from their mistakes and avoid having wedding regrets of your own. As someone who hasn’t been married myself, I decided to ask my Instagram followers what regrets they had on their big day. This blog discusses all those answers and how you can avoid making the same mistakes.
1. Not having a Private Moment for just the two of you
Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life but it is also a very emotional and overwhelming day. For most couples, the day is about you and your partner’s love for each other. There are so many guests that will want to visit with you and congratulate you! But brides have mentioned they regretted spending almost every moment with their guests. Keep in mind that you have the rest of the evening to mingle. I see way too many couples who get caught up in entertaining guests that they hardly spend any time together. Taking some time before or after your ceremony to soak it all in with just your partner will be well worth it I promise. I am also happy to sneak you away anytime you need a break!
2. Not having a Reception Dress
If you decide to wear a dress that isn’t the most comfortable, it might be smart to consider getting a reception dress. You are going to be dancing and partying and that last thing you want is to be uncomfortable.
3. Spending too much money on the small things
It’s easy to get caught up in the details of wedding planning and lose sight of what really matters – your love for each other. Take some time to sit down with your partner and discuss what aspects of the wedding are most important to you both. Maybe it’s having all your closest friends and family there, or maybe it’s having a specific type of food or music. Whatever it is, make sure you prioritize those things and don’t get too caught up in the rest. Remember, the wedding is just one day – what really matters is the life you’ll be building together afterwards. I’ve seen money being spent on anything and everything you can think of, and it’s always a shame when certain things don’t get used or eaten, if that makes sense.
4. Not Hiring a professional photographer and videographer
One of the biggest regrets that brides have after their wedding is not investing enough in photography and videography. When the wedding day is over, the only thing left besides your memories is the photos and videos of those memories! These are the memories that you’ll have to look back on for the rest of your life, so it’s important to make sure they’re captured beautifully. Don’t just go with the cheapest option – do your research and find a photographer and videographer whose style you love and who you feel comfortable working with. It may be a bit more expensive, but it’s worth it to have those memories captured perfectly.
Click HERE to get more information on my Wedding Photography and Videography Packages.
5. Not hiring a wedding planner or day of coordinator
One of the biggest regrets that brides have is not hiring a wedding planner or even just a day-of-coordinator. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, a wedding planner can actually save you time, money, and stress in the long run. They can help you stay on budget, recommend vendors, and handle all the little details that can easily slip through the cracks. Plus, having a professional to turn to for advice and guidance can be invaluable during the planning process. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can do it all on your own – consider hiring a wedding planner or coordinator to help make your big day as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Story Time: I was Filming a wedding a few years ago and I remember hearing the mother of the bride say “Oh thank goodness I can finally relax.” Do you know which part of the day she said this? The evening. After all the amazing moments getting ready with her daughter, visiting guests, watching her daughter get married, and having cocktails and dinner with everyone. She was so busy trying to make sure everything was going perfectly for her daughter and acting like the ‘day-of-coordinator’ that she didn’t feel relaxed or like she was enjoying herself until the end.
Please don’t let this be you or your other family members. A day of coordinator might be the best decision you could make. There are plenty of up-and-coming ones that are very affordable too! I am happy to share my network with you if we decide to work together!
6. Not eating more of the food you paid for
Another thing that is far too common on wedding days for couples is that they hardly eat. I get it. With the stress and adrenaline, it’s so easy to forget to eat. But, you paid for all of this delicious food and deserts and the two of you should take the time to eat it. Plus if you are drinking, please make sure you eat so you don’t crash halfway through your wedding reception lol.
7. Wearing uncomfortable dress and shoes
One of the biggest complaints I hear from brides is choosing a strapless dress and then having to wear a strapless bra. If you are someone who gets super uncomfortable in certain clothing, make sure to factor that in when dress and shoe shopping. That may be your dream dress, but if you are uncomfortable your whole wedding day, then it won’t be worth it.
8. Day drinking before the Reception
Some previous brides had very long wedding days. They regretted not waiting until the reception to have drinks because, and i quote, ‘it made my eyes look so glossy in our wedding photos.’ I guess I’ll sound like a mom here but it’s smart to pace yourself as the Wedding day goes by too quickly every time. But also, do whatever you want of course!
If your wedding party is more the rowdy type and your wedding truly is a big party/celebration, then by all means go for it! I do like when the wedding party kicks back with a few drinks for the Wedding Party photos because it really loosens people up in front of the camera! But of course, if taken too far, things can get a bit fuzzy.
9. Not enjoying the moment and stressing out the whole day
One of the biggest regrets that many brides have is not taking the time to enjoy their wedding day. Sounds strange right? With so much planning and preparation leading up to the big day, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and stress over every little thing. But remember, this is a day to celebrate your love and commitment to your partner. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy the moment. Don’t let small mishaps or imperfections ruin your day. At the end of the day, what matters most is the love you share with your partner and the memories you create together.
When we hop on a wedding call together, I will ask you what needs to happen in order for your day to be Perfect – for you two! Often times I hear things like ‘honestly nothing really, we just want to have fun together.’ I think it’s important to have a clear idea of what you really want to get out of your wedding day, so you can make it happen!
10. Wedding photos too posed
As a big advocate for natural and un-posed wedding photos, this answer was one of my favorites. I want your wedding photos to evoke emotion and show the real and raw moments. If your wedding photographer is making your pose for every single photo, then you wont feel as much of an emotional connection to those images.
The emotions you feel on your wedding day, the real emotions that get captured, are the ones you will feel every time you look at your wedding album. Make sure that when you are hiring a wedding photographer, you get a feel for their style and how they take their photos. Do you want them to be a fly on the wall all day? Do you want posing and guidance? Do you mostly want candid images? Would you prefer some of the classic posed shots? Personally I like to give fun prompts, keep people moving, keep the energy high, and also focus on the tiny little moments that you don’t even realize are being captured.
Bottom line, it’s YOUR wedding day and it should be exactly how you imagine it to be. But before you spend hourrrrrrs planning everything, it’s important to think about what you really want in your dream wedding day. I don’t want you to have any regrets on your wedding day and hopefully this blog helps make some decisions easier for you!
Vancouver Island Wedding Photographer & Videographer
Hey, if you’re new here, I’m Hayley, a Vancouver Island Wedding Photographer and Videographer!
Most couples struggle to feel a genuine connection and realness when posing for a camera.
I ditch ‘cookie cutter’ photography methods to create a deeper bond between couples resulting in a rush of emotions every time they see their pictures.
I go above and beyond to help create moments where you can have fun, feel comfortable, connected, and playful, even in front of a camera. If you’re looking for bright, vibrant, emotional, and exciting images, you’ve come to the right place!
I specialize as a Vancouver Island Wedding Photographer & Wedding Videographer working in Victoria, Campbell River, and the rest of the world!
I have a deep passion for outdoor photos and love searching for new hidden gems. Do you enjoy the outdoors? I specialize in working in the outdoor elements: beach, river, lake, ocean, forest, you name it and I’m there.
If you’re ready to find your perfect Vancouver Island Wedding Videographer or Wedding Photographer to capture all of the real and raw moments of your wedding day, TAKE A LOOK AT MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY PAGE and let’s see if we are a good match! When it comes to being your wedding videographer or photographer, my goal is to support you through out the whole process and make sure that your dream wedding becomes a reality!