I’ve seen couples who can’t spend time together or eat anything on the big day.
It is important to think carefully about the guest list and wedding party before finishing them.
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When I started my company, bridesmaid for hireSeven years ago, I didn’t know much about weddings.
After working on more than 125, I’ve learned that weddings are full of drama and endless decisions, and once they’re over, couples are often wracked with regret.
These are the top things I’ve seen couples regret after their big day.
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how much money did they spend
When the wedding is over, I always ask couples what they wish they had done differently. The number 1 answer is always that they would have spent less.
When you’re in planning mode, you may feel like you need more than you need. Before you start, set a strict budget for each category (flowers, food, music, etc.) and then find vendors that offer packages that fit your price range.
You won’t regret having 25% fewer flowers or one less appetizer at cocktail hour if it means saving a few thousand dollars.
Don’t eat any of the food.
Couples spend a lot of quality time choosing all of the food that will be served on your wedding day. But some couples don’t actually eat anything on their big day because they’re too busy or just forget.
Make it a rule that you and your partner spend at least five minutes eating during cocktail hour before greeting guests.
When everyone else is having dinner at the reception, make sure you two eat too. That way, you can enjoy your carefully selected meal and you won’t be hungry for the rest of the night.
Just spending time with each other
Because weddings can be hectic, some couples hardly spend any time together on the big day.
Dobrunov Nichita Alex/Shutterstock
After working on so many weddings, I began to realize that couples spend almost no time together at their celebration. One person usually greets her family members while the other is on the dance floor with her friends.
To avoid this, agree ahead of time to stay close to each other during the cocktail hour and reception. When it’s time to greet guests or hit the dance floor, stick together.
Sign up for gifts they don’t need
After the wedding is over and the couple settles into this new chapter of their life together, I usually check on clients and listen to how frustrated they are about the gifts they received.
Although most of the gifts were personally selected by the couple on their registry, they begin to realize that they don’t really need another set of sheets or dishes.
Instead of having to return items after the wedding, be sure to include only the must-haves on your registry. If you’re not sure what you want, ask for cash or a honeymoon fund. When the wedding chaos is over, you can shop together for what you really need for your home.
Who was invited and who was not
Although it is difficult to know who to invite and who to leave out of the Guest ListSome couples have said that they wish they had invited a certain friend or family member that they chose not to invite. And other couples wish they didn’t invite friends or coworkers they hardly talk to anymore.
When you’re creating your guest list, do a knee check. If there’s someone you didn’t put on the guest list that you can’t stop thinking about, consider adding them to avoid any post-wedding regret.
If there is someone you are considering inviting, but they are not feeling well, consider leaving them off the original list. You can always invite them closer to the wedding if it ends up feeling good.
How many members of the bridal party had
Decide who you want to invite to be part of your bridal party it can be a difficult decision. Some couples end up asking too many friends and family to step into the role.
Many couples who have large bridal parties (more than 10 groomsmen and bridesmaids) often say they regret how many people they had to include in their wedding decisions.
If you want to de-stress, consider having a more intimate bridal party. You can still give special honors, such as reading a poem during the ceremony or raising a toast at the rehearsal dinner, to those not on the bridal party list.
Not having the wedding of your dreams.
Some couples regret listening to other opinions while planning their wedding.
Pavlo Melnyk/Shutterstock
Many people are influenced by the type of celebration that their friends or family want for them. instead of having a small wedding or just eloping, they threw a huge and expensive party.
As you plan your big day, make sure you and your partner have a list of must-haves and non-negotiables, whether it’s the type of venue you want or the type of food you like. That way, you can ensure outside opinions don’t take over from the celebration you and your partner have always wanted.
