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30 Honest Brides Share What They Wish They Would’ve Done Differently On Their Wedding Day
Interview With Author
The happiest day of your life, your wedding, could always have been a bit brighter and brighter in your daydreams. At least, that’s what some people tell themselves during a moment of honesty when they look back at the occasion with their hindsight goggles on (remember, they always make your vision 20/20).
Reddit users frequenting the r/AskWomen subreddit have been opening up about some of the things they would love to have changed about their wedding day if only they could go back in time. In the viral thread, the women are offering a wealth of advice for brides-to-be. It’s thoroughly eye-opening to see how many things can potentially go wrong during the ceremony and reception. Things that you possibly wouldn’t even think of, unless you’ve already racked up the experience.
We’ve collected some of the best and most honest insights that internet users shared about their weddings, so take a peek if you’re curious, and don’t forget to upvote the answers that you found illuminating. Though with everything said and done, we do have to remember this simple fact—no wedding will ever be ‘perfect.’ All manner of things will go wrong, but, at the end of the day, it’s your love for one another that should be the focus. Not the photographer, place settings, and band.
The author of the original thread, Alyssa, aka u/Puzzleheaded-Yam-411, revealed to Bored Panda that she will be having her own wedding in May 2022, and was hoping for some advice from other brides. "I have found it so difficult to plan our wedding on my own. I wanted to get some advice from fellow brides on what they found helped them with the big day that might alleviate some of the pressure. Especially on the actual day, what they found important to remember," she told me in an exclusive interview.
In Alyssa's opinion, there isn't such a thing as 'perfect' wedding because everyone has their own idea of what this entails. "Plus, it is so much better when your wedding is original and different! That’s what people will remember about it," she mused. "Our wedding is in May 2022, and we know, just like in life, some things won’t go just as we planned. Ours was originally booked for 2021! It may be difficult on the day, but as long as you focus on what is the most important aspect, each other, then everything else will fade into the background. I won’t lie and say it won’t be stressful, but I’m sure a glass or two of champagne will wash that stress away!" Scroll down for Bored Panda's full chat with Alyssa as well as for my interview about wedding problems with Anna and Sarah, Team Leaders at The Wedding Society.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Married someone else
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
Sometimes we make mistakes, sometimes we have to fall down to get back up.
Lynne Harbison 4 years ago
55 years married here. A lot of couples make it all about the big wedding. We had 37 at our wedding, including 7 in the bridal party. All organised over 3 months. For us, it was about wanting to be together.
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#2
My ex husband loves to have fun at my expense. When we cut the cake, I tried to playfully get icing on his nose. He ducked, avoiding me, didn't even take a bite of the cake, then he grabbed a handful of cake and rubbed it into my hair. It took everything in me to not cry in front of the 150 people there. I put on the performance of a lifetime. I feigned a laugh and acted like it was all in good fun. I wish I had just let my tears fall and simply asked him in front of everyone "why would you do that?" In reality, I should have never married him, and then I should have left years before I did. But here we are. I don't necessarily regret that (we had beautiful children), but I always wish I had stood up for myself.
debrina blackmoon 4 years ago
Dear hubs has done it for many of our daughters' birthdays, even after each turned 18 and told him not to! Yeah, he should have respected that before as well because it was clearly embarrassing! Ugh.
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Soleil SanMao 4 years ago
"My [ex] husband loves to have fun at my expense." That was the Huge Red Flag!
Winx 4 years ago
I asked my ex REPEATEDLY not to do anything stupid with the cake, and he decided to do the face smash thing, it was gross and I was upset.
Vicky Z 4 years ago
Oh God and especially when the other person has asked you not to do that! Great way to start a life together
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May 4 years ago
This is such a weird tradition - does anyone except Americans do this? I don't understand why she wishes she had cried - I can't see how that would have helped anything. But yeah - don't marry a man who thinks this is funny
Marcellus II 4 years ago
Next to embalming/ open coffin funerals, this is the americanism I can never understand. Pure desire to be wasteful, pure disrespect for resources?
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Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
My daughter and I watch wedding programs on television. It's shocking how violent some of the husbands can get and pretending its all in fun. Grabbing the bride with one hand while smearing her face and/or gown with cake. I'd call it off right then. Brides should know what they're starting when they play with fire.
Rachael Sampson 4 years ago
Unless they honestly didn't know their own husband would be like that until it was too late.
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Miss Cris 4 years ago
This is the same as #1, but using more words. #1 in this moment is NOT MARRY HIM.
Christina R 3 years ago
Unfortunately by the time you're cutting the wedding cake it's probably too late for that. However, annulment is always an option.
Load More Replies... DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
This is bloody horrible. C'mon man...it's your wedding day...act like it...also, do you know how long it probably took to do her hair?
Jo Johannsen 4 years ago
The cake thing was, is, and always be a stupid tradition. Whoever started it should have to clean up all the messes.
#3
I would NOT have told anybody my wedding plans. Like just not offered any info whenever I was asked how wedding planning was going, and just say I was keeping it a surprise.
My mother in law and sister in law lost their s**t over my flower selection. My mom told me I was an embarrassment over my catering selection (mind you my husband and I paid for everything ourselves). When showing my aunt my Pinterest board for wedding dresses she literally said “I know your style is better than this, these are terrible, it’s a good thing I caught it before you bought anything”. Everyone felt that they knew better than us. Up until the morning of our wedding day these women were trying to pressure me into making changes and spending money i didn’t have.
I still did everything I wanted and the day was lovely and everyone enjoyed/behaved themselves. but I just could have saved myself a ton a misery if I had only kept my mouth shut about my plans. I wish instead wasting all my energy on defending my choices, apologizing, and then second-guessing my plans, I spent that time enjoying being engaged. It seems petty because it only a one-day event. But seeing how judgmental and pushy they all were in trying to bully me into each of their own specific tastes really opened my eyes, and has caused a bit of a “strain in those relationships” (read: I’m no longer the easy to manipulate pushover they all needed me to be).
Rhon Young 4 years ago
We ended up having my mothers wedding. I was going to make my dress but each time I bought material and a pattern, it wasn't good enough. In the end I wore my mothers wedding dress ( gorgeous dress!) it very quickly became obvious the the best way to get through this was to copy my parents wedding. Same colours for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, same flowers, same music. As we drove away afterwards we said that we could've achieved the same thing in a registry office! Both of our kids had the weddings that they wanted, we only gave advice when it was asked for.
Lav Oravaf 4 years ago
I mean WTF parents and family .... whose wedding is this, for F sake ?!?! knowing me... I would have told my family to get lost.
pamela nichols 4 years ago
My daughter in law wanted to do her wedding her way and she did. I bought her dress, her mom paid for somethings and my son paid for the rest. It was a beautiful wedding
Lynne Harbison 4 years ago
Only hassle with our wedding...my one bridesmaid (future SIL), insisted on making her own dress, even though I offered to pay for it. All seams including the hem were puckered, and the whole dress was a really terrible fiit. She ruined the photos she was in. She is now our EX SIL...a really entitled, horrible person
Ozacoter 4 years ago
This is one of the main reasons why i prefer not to amrry. It implies way to many fights with relatives. Yeah some naive people pretend that it is as easy as never speaking to your family again and uninviting them. But it is not. I can see it. Fights about who gets invited, about why i am not wearing a dress, why i am not leting my hair long, why this why that... No thanks
Megan O'Neill 4 years ago
I got married at a court house. Parents attended, siblings waited outside. no extended family. no drama. I'd do it again.
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Stacy Kincannon 3 years ago
Sounds like you should have done a destination wedding. You and your groom somewhere without your family. So sorry your lives together started this way and they owe you an apology!!!!
Alyssa, the author of the thread, was candid with me that she has found the wedding preparations to be very stressful and overwhelming. Even now, once she's gotten more experience.
"If I had to start the planning all over again I would say, don’t be afraid to ask for help," she gave our readers here at Bored Panda some spot-on advice. "Whether that be hiring a wedding planner, or asking friends and family to deal with certain suppliers. The difference it would have made hiring a wedding planner is insurmountable. Even though our wedding is small (around 70 guests) you would be surprised how much detail needs to be covered in order to have everything come together seamlessly."
The bride-to-be shared exactly how many details planners have to be aware of. Details that many of us wouldn't even consider. "Think of a table, what is on that table? Plates, cutlery, crockery, glasses, table linen, candles, flower garlands, chairs, sashes, the table itself, the list goes on. And you have to organize all of this!" Alyssa pointed out how overwhelming things can get.
#4
My sister said she wished someone had packed her and her husband an extra to-go box of the food served at the wedding. She said they barely ate dinner because they were busy talking to people and they had an addrenial rush and not much of an appetite. They were starving when they got to their hotel.
Susan Bosse 4 years ago
Most caterers do this as a courtesy but be sure to ask when you're meeting with them so that it's in the contract. It'll be less likely to be overlooked that way.
Dave P 4 years ago
Traditional Jewish weddings, after the ceremony, the couple goes into a side room in seclusion for a period of 20-30 minutes as per tradition, and the caterer usually has lots of food waiting for them in there. They newly weds get some alone time, food, etc, before being shoved back out there into the whole event
Warrior Mama 4 years ago
This happened to me, too! The hotel made a small plate for us before the reception because they knew we'd be busy mingling with guests, but it was just a few hors d'ouevres. The reception was tons and tons of lovely small bites instead of a sit down meal so everyone could move about as they pleased. The food was wonderful, but when everyone came up to me to say hi or give me a hug I put my plate down for a second and by the time I went to pick it back up staff had cleared it away! We joke about it now, but I was so hungry after a long party and a lot of dancing. The hotel had put chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in our room, but I really just wanted a sandwich! My advice for anyone having a wedding - plan a snack for later
Christina R 3 years ago
This happened with drinks at my wedding. Every time I put my glass down, the caterers took it. My mother was driving me insane, and I desperately needed a drink by the end of the night. No joy, and the bar was closing when we git back to our hotel. Total nightmare.
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Jan Prescott 4 years ago
My daughter just got engaged and they're planning on doing the photos before the wedding, then, after the ceremony, the two of them eating while the guests have cocktails. That way they can visit everyone during the reception and not be starving.
Ryan Kargel 4 years ago
At my wedding, I ate one tortilla chip and a finger of frosting at the cake cutting. My wife, similar. We left our wedding and went directly to a steak house to get something to eat.
River Daski 4 years ago
this happened to me, except it was my cake. we chose 3 small ones of different flavors since we couldnt settle on just one, but we didnt even get to have a piece of the two we didnt cut for photos. thankfully, our chosen bakery was owned by just two wonderful women who made our "anniversary cake" into cupcakes of the flavors we didnt get to have.
#5
It would've been much smaller and I would've told my dad that he wasnt planning it. I was 19 and my husband was 21 so we had no money but were in love. My dad decided since the FOB pays, then it's HIS wedding so whatever he wants is what I got.
If I could go back, I would've had a budget wedding with maybe 40 friends/family of MY choosing instead of 200 people that I'll never see again. Different gown (no train or veil this time). And REAL flowers instead of fake ones.
I also wouldn't have had it in a church. I'm not religious but was guilt-tripped into going to pre-cana classes at the church and having the ceremony there. I would've taken most of the "traditional" elements out.
Side Note: I still have a good relationship with my dad AND my husband and I have been married almost 20 yrs now. So really bottom line... the wedding day doesnt matter. It's all the days after it that matter.
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
I'm glad the relationship with your husband is going strong and also the one with your dad. Weddings are for a day...but those are for a lifetime.
Shelley DuVal 4 years ago
However, I would have made sure my father knew many years later how much he stole the wedding from me (if I were you)
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Kishibe Angelo 4 years ago
well at least your age difference is okbecause you really got 19 yr olds dating 13 yer olds like focus on your majors not your minors
Mike Loux 4 years ago
We had planned a huge Catholic wedding at my now-wife's hometown church. But my then-stepsister decided she was going to have her wedding a month before mine, and my father said he would not be able to make my wedding, because he was too busy paying for hers. We said, "f**k it" and eloped. Had a wedding/weenie-roast the summer before at the park by my mom's house, and told people they could come to that celebration or f**k off. About 30 people showed up. It was awesome. We have been together 24 years and counting. I REGRET NOTHING.
Marie Claire Lafreniere 3 years ago
Twenty years deserves a vow renewal with a ceremony you get to choose
#6
I would have gotten married at 11am!
I spent so much time being nervous to walk down the aisle (because of all the people). I spent literally half the day being nervous! Get married in the morning so you can spend the rest of the day partying and having fun on your wedding day!
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
I've never really thought of this...most weddings here are mid to late afternoon.
"If your fiancé is anything like mine, don’t even contemplate asking for his opinion as it will most likely be answered with, 'Errrr…' Though in all seriousness, I think it’s because he knows whatever he says I won’t listen to, haha! This is all of course relevant to people organizing a wedding where it is not in a package. Package weddings work completely differently and may be much more stress-free for future couples to look into."
Alyssa also advised other brides-to-be to do their homework on their supplies and read every single contract in detail before signing anything. That can save a lot of headaches in the future.
"Especially due to the current economic climate, many companies have changed their terms and conditions. So if you think you can just get a deposit back because of something Covid related, you may be disappointed. Many suppliers are friendly, to begin with, but the moment money is mentioned or involved they can completely turn in into different people. Trust us, we know. Covid broke out a few months after we booked with many suppliers."
However, the most important thing is to do your research. "Read reviews, look at the photographer’s portfolio before hiring, research what the food looks like or what other people’s thoughts were! Another silly detail would be what do the products look like in 'natural' light. It’s easy to spend loads on décor when you choose it from studio lighting, it may look completely different in person.
#7
Hired a photographer.
We eloped with siblings as witnesses because of some messy parent stuff. I really wish we would have hired someone to take a few posed pictures at the park or something.
Ryan Kargel 4 years ago
I have a friend who is a pro photographer, and one of his most popular jobs is elopements. He does many weddings that have four or five people at them, including himself. The photos are amazing.
Mazer 4 years ago
My friends bought disposable cameras for every wedding guest at their wedding in addition to a professional and an amateur photographer. They asked guests to take photos and leave the cameras, the processing was pre-paid and they would get a copy if the guests wanted. I thought that was a great idea
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago (edited)
I did the photography for my cousin's wedding (I'm not a photographer...I'm not even an amateur photographer but the photos weren't horrible) and they got divorced a year later. He didn't have to spend on photos and also the photos don't matter..so win-win...I guess. Lol
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Same here. I did a Quaker wedding, where my husband and I officiated our ceremony ourselves. We wrote our own vows and had my sister there as a witness. We got some photos but not nearly enough. And now I'll never be able to get more because he died in 2014 😔 Don't be one of those people constantly taking curated pics for "the socials" but definitely do remember to snap a few good ones at memorable events; you'll never regret having MORE pictures rather than less!
#8
I would have made sure to plan a bit of alone time for myself the day of. I didn’t get even 5 minutes to just be by myself before my wedding, to breathe or reflect or generally be in the moment. That morning was a blur of people and activity. I found it exhausting to have some kind of audience for an entire day, sunrise to well after sunset. A moment to happily freak out about the fact that holy s**t, I’m about to get married! with no one watching would have been awesome.
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
I feel like I've seen this at all my friend's weddings...they never have that alone time...to just be like "What?!!" Lol...even the groom...we were just helping him rush from one place to another and no moment to just sit down for a second and say "Dude! You're getting married today!"
Ebony Rose 4 years ago (edited)
In general, this is good advice but a super anxious person might not benefit from this. (I'm saying this as a hardcore introvert too.) If you're like me, those 5 or 10 minutes of alone time, when the reality hits at once, is when I will second-guess everything. This is regardless of how good the decision is- anxiety doesn't care how committed and otherwise healthy you are. I'd rather have a meltdown alone with my SO in a hotel room after the reception, than have a meltdown in the changing room with makeup streaming down my face, while my SO is at the end of the aisle flanked with relatives on both sides, concerned friends/relatives coming to get me when it's time and asking questions, etc.
Carly Weber 4 years ago
We actually thought of eloping and then having a huge party later on. But, I could never do that to my grandparents or parents. Actually' I don't think my dad would have minded so much. Grandparents are both gone now and I'm so glad we didn't do it. It was non stop from morning until it all ended. I don't remember a lot of it and I actually didn't have that great of a time. Spent most of the time going around talking to people. I thought I was terrible for feeling that way but my sister-in-law pretty much felt the same way. My husband has since past and If I ever get remarried It's just going to be a big party like I mentioned above. I just hope my second husband has been through the first big wedding himself so he doesn't feel like he's missing out on something.
Tonya Washington-Wilson 4 years ago
I had a whole 10 mins to myself. My venue coordinator removed everyone from the bridal waiting area & I was alone with myself & my thoughts. It was the best bc I was able to center myself & get my nerves in check
Pungent Sauce 4 years ago
This one for “A professional photographer is far better than your well-intentioned friend”
#9
Remembered to take a change of clothes with me to the hotel so I didn’t have to leave the next morning in my wedding dress like some kind of crazy-ass walk of shame
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
Oh yep...good point. The guy wouldn't really get two looks in a suit so he doesn't have to worry.
Vicky Z 4 years ago (edited)
Maybe it's time to normalize wedding dresses during the day then😅😅😅😅. Who's with me?
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Sheena Leversedge Wood 4 years ago
we had our reception in my parents orchard (sounds way posher than it was) and slept in the summerhouse (basically an adults wendyhouse/glorified shed.) which was great. but there are windows, and I forgot to bring anything to sleep in or wear the next day. so I ended up sleeping in my stepdads superman t shirt, and pretty much wearing that and some of my mums leggings the next day
Meanwhile, Anna and Sarah from The Wedding Society shared their professional perspectives on why things can go wrong during weddings and what the main issues tend to be. At the core of it all lies the importance of accepting that some things won't go smoothly. Plans are rarely (if ever!) perfect and some things will go wrong sooner or later.
"From our experience, the main issues that pop up for couples usually revolve around family dynamics, which are almost impossible to avoid!" they were candid with Bored Panda. "It's hard to foresee everything that might go wrong from vendor mistakes or issues through to that drunk bridesmaid falling on the cake, so all you can really do is plan for what you might expect and accept that something definitely will go wrong. If you can just embrace the fact that not everything will go to plan. you'll have a much better day!"
#10
Everything. Wanted a lavender dress but I was young and told I had to wear white. I would have it in an old bldg, gothic style with a garden outside for pics, pro photographer and very few people. Taco and margarita bar for the win next time if ever.
Me Oh My 4 years ago
Third wheel, here. I'm coming and you have no choice in the matter.
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Pheebs 4 years ago
Ugh the dress thing. I almost fought the sales lady at a certain chain bridal store because she wouldn’t let me try on bridesmaid dresses. Kept bringing me pricy things in white that checked all my nope boxes. Ended up getting my non-white dress custom from a shop that customized dresses, and still regretted my choice. My earlier attempts at finding me one didn’t leave me prepared enough to pick out the style, and my final dress - while pretty to look at - ended up fussier and heavier than I wanted. Ah well, at least it wasn’t white. Also ticked my mom off that I didn’t want to wear her’s from her 2nd wedding. She’s 5” shorter than me, and like 3 sizes smaller. O.o I was not starving myself to wear her dress.
River Daski 4 years ago
this!! i ended up ordering my dress online because the bridal store was so pushy. i got a beautiful "prom dress" that fit our wedding colors and fit so much better than a wedding dress.
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#11
Remembered to grab my bouquet. It was sitting on the coffee table all day. Now we just laugh about it - I spent hundreds of hours crocheting it for it to be left at home.
Mermaid Elle-Jaye 4 years ago
As a sewing person - omg 😳 you poor thing, all that effort for a coffee table bouquet 😝 at least it’ll last forever though
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
Crocheting....I can't be the only one that wants to see this magnificent bouquet.
Vicky Z 4 years ago
I had a friend that kept it even after wedding hanged it upside down to dry and sprayed it with hair gel! It stays for long time
Maria Overtoom 4 years ago
I did it with mine, was gorgeous, untill we moved and it was thrown in the movement truck like a piece of garbage 😥
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Ana Klekijeva 4 years ago (edited)
OMG, I forgot my bouquet on the way to church on my wedding day. Luckily my hubby grabbed it last second. There is even a photo of me reaching for it laughing with embarrassment when I realised what happened 😆
#12
Would’ve gotten a dress that made me feel like a goddess. Mine was pretty but white ain’t my color and it could’ve been better. Also, don’t do strapless.
Lila Launehase 4 years ago
Oh yeah. Strapless. l made that mistake, lost a few kilos too much before the wedding and was afraid to dance the hole evening because I feared of the dress slipping a bit too low.
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
As a guy I have no place commenting on the dress but I've never understood the "always white"...wear whatever color you want...you know how awesome a navy blue or steel blue or like a moss green dress would look? Awesome...that's how! Lol
Ebony Rose 4 years ago
Nah- it's ok. I think it's great when men take more of an interest in their weddings. It's your life too!! Basically, the white dress tradition was begun by Queen Victoria. She had a unique reason for it- to her, it represented purity and innocence. However, the wealthy copied her to show off that they could afford an expensive, single use dress and cited "Look, our daughter is a virgin with good values" as the justification. It reached a point where people thought the tradition was Biblically-ingrained and didn't realize it was just a Victorian status symbol... So the tradition just didn't go away lol
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Rikke Visby Wickberg 4 years ago (edited)
As a minster I have seen quite a few brides walking up the church (BTW aisle is the one out in the side of the church, not the middle passage way), who had to hold onto the dress top, or rearrange it when they reaches the altar - or the worst one, showing nipples(!). On another note, I've once had a bride in a dress with a skirt so short, that when she (needless to say, not necessary) lifted the skirt to walk up the two small steps, actually showed her underwear. 🤦♀️ Don't wear strapless dresses, and please practise to wear them before the day. That way you find out if you need straps, padding, how to sit down, etc. Please, then you can enjoy your day without thinking of the dress. And as Dennys says, wear any colour you like. ❤️
Christina R 3 years ago
Wearing a strapless dress isn't a problem if you have a good dress fitting close to the wedding date. I wore strapless (and don't have much going on in the bust area) so my fitter sewed a strapless bra into my dress. Worked really well, never had to pull it up during the night.
Load More Replies... Lady Lava 4 years ago
My dress was dark red. I always said I wanted a wedding dress in that color, even when I was a kid. Also, white isn't flattering on me either. And I just did it! I'm married with a woman, and my wife's dress was dark purple. Yes, those colors go together better than you might think. My dress was strapless, and that was indeed a bit stressfull, but thank god for clothing tape...!
Joann Casey 4 years ago
I tried on white dresses and they drained all colour from my face, I looked like the bride of Dracula, I wore pale pink and looked healthy in it.
Terilee Bruyere 4 years ago
My dress was strapless as well. It wasn't so bad when I was in the car that drove me to the gazebo area (was married in a campground near a river, rode down in a 1966 white T-Bird) but when walking down the aisle I was concerned about showing more than a smile.
Bored Panda wanted to know how the happy couple can ensure that their wedding is truly their own and how to not get lost in the maze of advice, coming from friends, family, and professionals. "It's important to remember the almost everyone with an opinion really does have good intentions," Anna and Sarah told me. However, having a clear vision of the happy day can help the couple focus.
"That said, it's useful to have a really good idea of what you and your partner want for the day before you share the details with family and friends, so that you can stand firmer in your discussions about those choices. "
There's also the old nod-and-smile technique that works in all walks of life, not just during wedding prep. "If all else fails, one of the best things you can do is nod your head, smile, and agree, then do it your own way anyway!!" they revealed to Bored Panda.
#13
Chosen different bridesmaids. I had six. Two are still in my life and four left in two separate s**tty incidents. I hate most of my wedding photos now
Quiltin Mammar 4 years ago
I had 3 and don't have any contact with any of them. I feel I should have just walked down the ailsle alone
Madzdad the bard 4 years ago
I would have to disagree, I have a lot of photos with family and friends that, over time and disagreements/moving/other (not good) issues are no longer in my life. I (try) to look at the photos and remember those friends and family members as they and our relationships were at the time. It doesn't always work, but most of the time it does.
Bonni Poch 4 years ago
I had 2. My sister, who was my matron of honour and my sister-in-law who was my only bridesmaid (although she's married to my brother so does that make her a a bride's matron????). Coolest thing? Both were 3 months pregnant and no one knew. My nephews were born the following March, 5 days apart.
Poppy Pothead 4 years ago
Never had any cause I never understood the point of a bridal party in the first place.
Ebony Rose 4 years ago
It's an old-world custom that arose because of pagan superstitions and status symbols. Initially, people thought spirits would abduct the bride (who they deemed to be a symbol of luck) so they put other women in veils so the spirits might abduct them instead. Eventually, it became a means for aristocratic parents to show off their personal social connections and potentially score more future (arranged) marriages for their other children.
Load More Replies... Rhon Young 4 years ago
I had three. Chief bridesmaid was caught out cheating on her boyfriend, the best man, about two weeks before our wedding. They both said they were fine with still being partnered at the wedding. He behaved beautifully, a true gentleman but she spent the whole time scowling at him. Next bridesmaid was my husbands sister who was ok on the day but years later, after giving her as much help in life as was humanly possible told my husband that he was a terrible brother because he wasn't supporting her, her husband is in the corporate world, doing really well and adores her and their children. The last e was my sister.
Linda Patterson 3 years ago
I had 4. I only really wanted 2. But my husband had 4 sisters so he had 4 brothers in law. He couldn’t pick 2 without making 2 sisters mad so I had to have 4 bridesmaids to even it out. I’m still in contact with all 4 but I really just wanted a smaller wedding. Now all the brothers in law are ex BIL except 1.
#14
Worn comfortable shoes
Troux 4 years ago
Wear something that you can slip some insoles into. Dress shoes always seem to have no support at all, and the bride and groom spend the entire day on their feet.
Elizabeth Calvert 4 years ago
That is why I deliberately chose to wear "ballet" slippers for my wedding. And not a single.person argued with me about b/c everyone knows I can't wear heels and I'd rather be comfortable anyway (I'm flat footed)
Load More Replies... Mazer 4 years ago
I was part of my cousins wedding party, we had to wear high neck to floor gowns. I was a tomboy, never been in such fancy clothes, never wore nylons, never wore high heels. The dress fitting was torture, I begged off the pantyhose and was dragged to a shoe store to try on some “appropriate shoes for the wedding”. No lie, after wiping out half of the stores displays, I managed to interject some common sense into the mix and since the gowns were floor length, nobody would notice that I was wearing running shoes. Thankful I did not have to wear anything else. While walking down the aisle, the dress was so long I kept stepping on the hem with my YETI sized feet and nearly tore the dress right off my body a couple of times. After the reception it took me all of ten minutes to race to get into my comfy clothes. Bliss
Laura Capshaw 4 years ago
Ditto. I had a forest wedding, and wore my green garden clogs while we were setting up, then changed in to fancy shoes for the ceremony. BAD idea. It was the forest, not some fancy indoor venue!
Auntriarch 4 years ago (edited)
I decorated a pair of trainers for a colleague, full on Swarovski attack!
Sheena Leversedge Wood 4 years ago
I actually bought some shoes from a dance company. they had a decently not too thin heel, and good support (outside ceremony and reception, so couldn't be sinking into the grass) and embellished them with hotfix Swarovski crystals. they were extremely comfortable all day. dance shoes are a great idea.
Regal Kitten 4 years ago
I remember at my aunt's wedding, the shoes resembled torture devices more than anything.
#15
Sometimes I wish it wouldn't have had to happen during a global pandemic, but honestly it turned out so beautiful anyway that I wouldn't change a thing.
Not-very-graceful 4 years ago
I'm glad you ended up having a beautiful wedding despite the pandemic <3
Madzdad the bard 4 years ago
Yep, so true. My wedding (2nd) was planned for June of 2020. By the time the pandemic was in full swing, we couldn't get our church (closed), or in a park, so we decided to have it in my back yard. Couldn't get our minister (they had left our church), justice of the peace so we found out we could just do it ourselves. My daughter and our two best friends attended and we had a taco bar and cake afterwards (we did get a nice small beautiful cake). It was perfect!
Auntriarch 4 years ago
I think there was something liberating about the possibilities in a pandemic wedding, you could say we have to do it this way, and nobody could complain because, pandemic. And you would have to use imagination to make up for what you couldn't have
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memyselfandI 4 years ago
You could always renew your vows sometime after the pandemic is less of an issue and have your dream wedding then 😊
“Trust us—you're only going to truly enjoy the day if you're focusing on what matters—the marriage. Everything else is just details,” Anna and Sarah from The Wedding Society told Bored Panda during an earlier interview that the happy couple should put the marriage first, not the party.
According to the wedding experts, some people get far too “caught up in the party and the image” of the wedding. This puts a lot of stress on the couple’s shoulders. They become worried about things going perfectly. When, obviously, minor (sometimes major) mishaps will occur. Instead of trying to impress their social circle, they should focus on each other.
#16
It's going to sound rough but I wouldn't have worried about inviting most of my family. It turned out to be more of a fiasco than it was worth. We had the whole thing at our house and it was amazing, except my mother and some other members refused to communicate when or even if they were attending until the evening before. I knew my mother was likely to derail the day by giving the silent treatment and then just showing up and expecting applause. I felt sort of shamed into inviting them when I should have just been confident with the decision in my heart that I just didn't need her there that day.
Other than that, I was so happy we had a small wedding by our garden and damn the desserts were so good...
Rhon Young 4 years ago
Our daughters wedding guests were mainly their friends. From our side there was my husband and I, our son, my father (92 at the time) my sister and her husband their son and one son in law. Our sons wedding was the same although my father and brother in law had passed away. Weddings are about the couple getting married not about the parents and extended family.
River Daski 4 years ago
we planned ours to be on a specific day, which just happened to be a sunday when the local football team was playing their rivals. what with the "problematic" part of the family being football fans, we let them wander off to go watch the game while the rest of us enjoyed our time
Joanna Werman 4 years ago
You can save a lot of money by just having an awesome dessert bar for your entire wedding celebration. It will be well remembered
#17
Not included my MIL in any of the planning/decorating what so ever! She forgot who’s wedding it really was and turned into a mom-zilla.
RustBunny 4 years ago
In ten years of working various roles with weddings, I luckily only encountered a couple bridezillas (they honestly weren't THAT bad and I avoided the worst one when someone covered for me), but there were some momzillas, siszillas, auntzillas and even a couple dadzillas. Oh, and just be aware that groomzillas exist too, and they can be just as bad.
#18
Actually saved our vows. I have zero copies of it and neither of us remembers what all we said. Ugh.
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm here to get married because I love you. (I just came up with this on the spot...I should probably save this for future use. Haha)
Terilee Bruyere 4 years ago
You can always do what one of my older sisters did. She simply said "Ditto" XD
The same sentiment of wanting everything to go ‘perfectly’ extends to wedding dresses, too. Some brides believe their wedding will be a failure if they don’t have the most magnificent dress that is ‘perfect’ down to the last detail that they’ve been imagining for years and years. However important a dress might be, it’s still just a dress, at the end of the day.
“The concept of a ‘perfect wedding dress’ really only matters deeply to those who are probably focusing on the wrong thing,” Anna and Sarah noted that if someone finds themselves obsessing over a dress, it’s best to reevaluate their priorities for their big day. The person needs to consider why they’re getting married in the first place and if the image is more important to them than their partner.
“There are literally thousands of incredible dresses directly available to you—it's almost a physical impossibility for only one to be right for you and, if that's how you're feeling, it's probably worth stepping back, taking a deep breath, and re-shifting your priorities,” the experts told Bored Panda.
#19
Left my mil out of alllll of the planning… omg she had an issue with everything. We got the tuxes for the groomsmen and the dads and the dads wore black. Well she said “I’ll go with dad when he gets his because i want him to match me” she wore purple. We said no 94835 times abs she was not happy. Then she needed a limo to get back and forth. She was way too involved and barely paid for anything.
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
Why does this Mother-in-law thing always seem like a bad idea. Lol
Craig Reynolds 4 years ago
If you can manage to pay for your own wedding, do it! That way you can tell everyone you are handling it and their input isn't needed.
Regal Kitten 4 years ago
I remember, at my sister's wedding, she told the Mil she could have whatever she wanted, as long as she paid for it, ran it by her, and didn't argue when she was told no.
Wesley Lucas 4 years ago
Why do MILs always seem to want to compete with the bride about the wedding?! You had your wedding, leave her alone! Let your future daughter-in-law plan her OWN wedding day with her friends (like it should be) and just show up to the date in a beautiful, muted gown and act graciously.
#20
I wouldn't have drank so much. I had loads of fun which is good but I wish I'd have been a bit more sober.
#21
Breathed. Slowed down. Spent more time with each person. Stopped worrying about all the things I couldn’t control. (It hailed and then poured rain on my outdoor wedding)
#22
I wish I'd had someone record the toasts. I didn't want video of the rest of it, but I wish I could remember what the best man, my uncle, etc actually said. I am VERY glad I got myself a dress to match my bridesmaids for the reception. We did out first dance and the father/daughter dance, then I excused myself to change. I was wearing more comfortable shoes, could dance easier, and wasn't paranoid every time I had food or drink in my hand.
Craig Reynolds 4 years ago
I was the best man at a good friend's wedding. I never realized and no one told me ahead of time that the groom was expected to give a speech. I didn't find out until about 10 freaking minutes before it was expected of me when a friend seated next to me asked what I was going to say in my speech! I was like, WHAT SPEECH? He then clued me in. I could have crapped myself right then and there. I'm an introvert, I don't do public speaking, I would take an F on an assignment in school before getting up in front of the class. Apparently, I successfully muddled through it as I was applauded and that other friend said I did great. I had zero memory of what I said just 1 minute after. It's as if someone else had taken over and spoke through me. Many others said it was a great speech! I didn't remember one word and still don't but my memory of standing there in front of everyone is still burned in my mind some 30 years later.
smugdruggler 4 years ago
How can you agree to be someone's best man and NOT KNOW that you have to give a speech?!
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Sally Hale 4 years ago
When asked to give the speech at my kids' reception, I reflected on how I remembered nothing about the speeches that were given at my wedding. So I wrote out my speech, sealed it with wax, and gave it to the kids immediately after. It wasn't exactly what I said because I didn't read it, but it was pretty darn close. They will always know what I said even after I'm long gone.
#23
I would have slept in my own bed with my husband the night before.
I have a hard time sleeping, especially when I am feeling anxious/have a lot on my mind or when I’m in an unfamiliar place. I rented a small hotel room with my sister MOH and mom to “follow the tradition” and ended up getting 3ish hours of sleep off and on.
I was totally exhausted all day and we ended up going home earlier than I wanted bc I literally could not keep my eyes open. When I was checking into hotel the night before I had a bad feeling I wasn’t going to sleep well and I really wanted to just go home and sleep in my own bed. We had a small non traditional wedding due to covid restriction in my province and I had it stuck in my head I needed the tradition of not seeing each other until our first look.
I also would have forced myself to scarf down a breakfast even though I was feeling anxiety nausea, and brought more snacks to eat before the ceremony.
#24
I would have waited 5 years.
Not because I regret marrying him, we are still together and still in love, and not necessarily because I was too young to be married (I was 21) but because I was a very different person at 26. We live in a different state now, and our lives are way different to when we were married. I have met so many more people and formed so many wonderful relationships with them, I'm actually sad they weren't at my wedding.
I would have held it in a different location, one that suited my personality more because I like different things now that I'm older. The venue we chose was lovely but in the end, it didn't feel personal, it was just a place to be married.
I also have far different taste in style now, and have hobbies that I would have liked to see included in my day.
So, short answer is I wish I waited to know exactly who I was before getting married, but I don't regret it entirely. I still married the man I love, and that's all that matters
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
This bride seems to not comprehend that so much of these differences came about because she was married. They grew together, she had the confidence of being loved and being able to discover new things within their marriage. She could have been a very different person entirely if she'd not married when she did. Not worse or better, but different.
Leodavinci 4 years ago
Exactly. This can't be up voted enough. Life doesn't work that way. Her life would have been almost completely different and all those things she loves now would likely be different things. I've seen this kind of thinking expressed in different life aspects by various people. Odds are just as likely she might have separated from her SO, met someone else, and married that person instead.
Load More Replies... Warrior Mama 4 years ago
It sounds like you might enjoy hosting more parties to celebrate with the people you care about and the aesthetic/activities you'd like to include! While a wedding reception is the biggest party many of us will throw, it sure doesn't have to be the last party. Go take an anniversary trip to that other venue!
lara 4 years ago
You grow, and when you grow, you change. At 21 you would not have had the friendships you made at 26, by the same token, if you had not gotten married at 21 you probably would not have any of these people as friends. Have a "re-commitment" ceremony at your ten year anniversary.
Misty-Dawn Amayi 3 years ago
Again, you do have the option to retake your vows and do things better this time around.
Marie Claire Lafreniere 3 years ago
If you change anything about the past you’re no longer who you are now. Sounds like you’re in a happy place, why go back and ruin the development?
Amber Foster 4 years ago
Wouldn't it be amazing to celebrate your life again with these new friends? Do a Weddiversary and make it a tradition. 🖤🖤🖤
#25
Have the posed cutesy/spicy pictures done on a different day. Scheduling all that on a day that you're supposed to celebrate is honestly a drag and felt like a job.
I would have just done it at the park, and had the reception at my favorite resturant. Organizing furniture and dishes and decorations to bring all of it on site was a job.
just do anything that doesn't make it feel like I worked instead of just enjoying my wedding day.
Shelby Moonheart 4 years ago
We had pictures before the wedding so that everyone was dressed up but before the guests showed up. It was nice not to have all those people watching the family groups and other pictures.
Misty-Dawn Amayi 3 years ago
The couple in this picture are adorable, but he's clearly not very worldly, and she looks like she's losing a battle to not unleash a wall-shattering fart.
Craig Reynolds 4 years ago
My stepson and his wife are Chinese. They had all professional photos taken several days in advance both at the decorated home and several outside locations. They hired a company in Beijing to handle it all. They had both a traditional and western style wedding ceremony (yep, two weddings) and the wedding photos reflected both. They also had professional photography and videography at both weddings. Having 90% of everything photo and video handled days before the actual weddings made a practically a zero stress event(s).
#26
less people spent less money should’ve asked guests to take home the flowers (centerpieces, etc) because they were so beautiful and filled our tiny apartment before we abandoned them to die while on our honeymoon should’ve steamed the antique veil before wearing it. I was so afraid of wrecking my grandmother’s veil that I didn’t take it out of its box until right before I walked down the aisle less staged family photos and more candids But… I’m an introvert and would’ve happily eloped. My husband loved the big party and I’d do it all again just the same to see him that happy.
Marguerite Lindemann 3 years ago
You should have had someone take the flowers to a nursing home to donate them. They would have been greatly appreciated.
Sheena Leversedge Wood 4 years ago
one of my cousins married a couple of years ago, and we were encouraged to take the flower arrangements home. it was such a lovely reminder of the wedding, for about a week and a bit afterwards, having a beautiful, ornate flower display on our coffee table. we were really grateful for that thoughtful idea.
#27
Following, because I look forward to my big day (whenever it happens lol) and I want to know what I shouldn’t waste time/money on.
My best friend got married in august. She interestingly said she would have eloped, and had more of a “party”/“gathering after. She said she still would have worn a cute dress, just nothing as uncomfortable and expensive as a bridal gown. She said she wishes she saved money and scrapped the whole walking down the aisle portion altogether. She would have instead put the ceremony money towards a nicer honeymoon than the one they’re going on (Disney world).
I kind of consider doing that sometimes.
Rhon Young 4 years ago
Your wedding day can be fun and a truly beautiful memory. Wear whatever you want. Feel like a princess or just be as comfy as you like. Our daughters dress wasn't ready in time for the wedding so we took her to her favourite dress label, they'd just started stocking wedding dress. She grab a dress that wasn't as elegant but it was her favourite label and she was so much more comfortable than she would have been. Our daughter in law is a dungeon master (D&D) her dress, made by her mum, was gorgeously unusual, she wore platform boots and her bouquet handle was a light Sabre! They all had fun, only inviting immediate family so they could have more of their friends there.
Just saying 4 years ago
If you are a church going person, just ask if you can get married during a regular service, like when people get baptised. No fuss, just the next thing on the agenda. Won't cost you a thing.
Juanita Smith 4 years ago
I did exactly what your friend did - and it was awesome! Some people were livid with me - but I realized after that they would have been the trouble-makers if I'd had a regular wedding. The party a few weeks later was awesome, very little stress, and we didn't spend money we didn't have on a big wedding.
#28
I wouldn’t have had my dad walk me down the aisle. He was late, left early, and tried to make the whole thing about him.
#29
Hired a professional photographer. The one I got was recommended by a friend and only $100 (I was too young and inexperienced to realize this was a red flag). She rushed us around the day of, left early, then we NEVER GOT THE PICTURES. We paid in full plus a tip, waited for months, contacted her again and again, but nothing. Not even a refund. To this day, I only have candid pictures taken by family and friends. I've come to terms with it... and at least the marriage is going great. We celebrated 10 years recently.
#30
Taken more photos for myself. We eloped and I made a point of not using my phone the entire day and now I wish I had photos of the food we ate and just low key shots of husband. All we got were overly staged photos where we felt awkward having to pose so much in unnatural ways.
Joanna Werman 4 years ago
The whole idea of doing the photos between the service and the party really breaks up the fun. The candids always look staged. Come party with your friends and family. Don't leave them for an hour and a half.
#31
Not much to be honest. It was almost a perfect day. In hindsight I would have Just invited more people I loved and not worried so much about money Spent less time having photos taken and more time chatting to guests and having fun Made sure to eat something that morning! I was so nervous. But then I got so lightheaded with champagne I nearly fainted walking up the aisle!
#33
I would've just eloped, not involved anyone, and then have a small party with friends later to celebrate
#34
Try to relax A LOT more. I had a great day in the end, but all the worrying about other peoples' needs and if my divorced parents got all weren't worth it. I would just enjoy the day myself and the food and cake.
#35
A different best man, I more then likely wouldn't have one or just had my cat instead
Frisinator 4 years ago
I would totally attend that wedding! Can you image his speech?
Load More Replies... #36
Gotten a different catering. Everyone got food poisoning, was really pissed because it ruined wedding night. I got married on Halloween and we were all going to get together again and go to the bars at night, but that got ruined because literally everyone was s**tting out their soul.
DennyS (denzoren) 4 years ago
Oh no, that's horrible. A Halloween wedding does sound awesome though.
#37
Nothing, it was absolutely perfect. I had a small ceremony at city hall with immediate family only. We took some nice pictures just the two of us and went out to eat with family for dinner. No fancy and expensive wedding dress, just an elegant champagne color dress. Such a lovely day.
#38
Video, back in the 90's we didn't spend the money to video the wedding. Since then so many guests have passed away. I wish I could see them or hear their voices one more time. It's my biggest regret.
Rhon Young 4 years ago
We got married in 1987. We had our ceremony videotaped. The guy doing the videoing didn't not that his camera had slipped and we got an hour of audio and carpet.
#39
I wish I would have planned out who would be gathering/taking down the decorations from the chapel after the ceremony. I completely forgot to plan for AFTER the wedding and as a result my bin of decorations got left at the chapel and the chapel coordinator had to meet us on her day off so we could pick it up, it was kind of a mess. Plan for who is taking down the decorations & where they are going!
Judy Reynolds 4 years ago
Nobody thinks of after the wedding, but the clean-up is just as important as the decorating!
#40
Not going strapless. My dress got so heavy after a few hours and I spent so much time fussing with it.
#41
My friend is the assistant of a wedding coordinator and the biggest things she said was 1) definitely have a wedding coordinator and 2) don’t waste money on real flowers and greenery. The coordinator is a thing because if something goes wrong they go to her and not the bride. The last thing you want is to be stressing about how the tables were set or this thing malfunctioning or that. The coordinator makes sure everything runs smoothly for the couple and is well worth the money Second. My friend can’t tell you how many real flowers and greenery she’s seen being tossed in the trash. Soooo much money spent to ultimately get thrown away. They make really realistic fake flowers and greenery that are way cheaper and it’s honestly not worth all that money being thrown away. I was a stout advocate for real flowers but when she told me that it changed everything.
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Sorry, fake flowers always look fake. They create more clutter afterwards and probably get thrown away too. If they're plastic they'll be around for a hundred years in some dumpsite. Real flowers may get thrown away, although people seem thrilled to be given them, and they eventually disintegrate.
Bryn 4 years ago (edited)
There are definitely realistic flowers out there, they just cost a heck of a lot more than your average fake flowers. Fake flowers are good for people who forget to water them or just have a black thumb with plants. They can stay up all year long and you don't have to worry about them dying or replacing them. Petals is a magazine/website that sells incredibly realistic looking flowers, we have one and have gifted a few. They look very real! Ikea also sells real looking fake flowers.
Load More Replies... #42
Planned it. I was about to lose health insurance and didn‘t think the new one was going to kick in for 3 months so we got married in a hurry. We went to city hall, just had his parents there, and afterwards we were told we had a few minutes to take pictures… we took less than 5 minutes extra before a clerk came and said we needed to leave. After, we drove around looking for a bakery to buy any cake and there were none open. When we ordered dinner that night the guy on the phone was yelling at my MIL because it was an Italian named food at an Italian place. Mostly, I just wish it had anything special. The man was right, but nothing else was.
Purple light 4 years ago
I don't understand the part about the guy on the phone yelling? Didn't the MIL pronounce it right?
#43
If you want to make sure to say hi to everyone, do a line at the reception if anything, but don’t take your time to walk around to each couple/person/table. You’ll spend all of your time doing that and won’t have time to do your own things
memyselfandI 4 years ago
If people want to say hi to you, they will. If they don’t, then either they didn’t think it was necessary or just forgot, but in either case no one will blame you.
#44
If I could change anything I would have had it 6 months earlier so that the pandemic wouldn’t have started yet and we could actually have had all our friends and family there. Our wedding was lovely, but my best friend (and matron of honor) wasn’t able to attend it because of travel restrictions. It made parts of the day sad. I wanted to have fun getting my hair and make up done and with my friends and sisters, drinking mimosas and goofing off. I ended up basically just doing it alone.
#45
I would've chosen someone different to officiate, preferably a family member or close friend. Because we got married during covid we didn't have much knowledge of the officiants that we spoke to since we couldn't meet in person and get a proper sense of what they were like, and vice versa.
#46
Remember to put out the disposable cameras. Anything else that went "wrong" was completely out of my control. I am still miffed I missed the spat between my husband's cousins. 21 years later and they are STILL feuding. Great wedding. Would do again.
#49
Two things: not invite some of my cousins I haven't seen for the last 10 years this one is my biggest regret that would be easy to fix: make sure to tell the photographer who my close family members are so that he makes sure to capture them on the photos. I have a lot of pictures but my siblings are just in maybe two of them and I only have a few pictures with my parents on them, some of them were made only because I specifically requested we pose for them
Rhon Young 4 years ago
At our daughters wedding her new in laws disregarded everything. My daughter suffers from severe depression and goes into a panic attack if she's the main focus. We can't even sing happy birthday to her! The in laws didn't like that only immediate family were invited so they secretly invited other family members, saying that they were going to pay for them so it shouldn't be a problem. The groom wasn't happy because these were people he barely knew. These "other family members" were the only people to get drunk at the reception.
#50
Make sure that the ONLY meal of the menu, that I picked personally, was put on my table.
Frisinator 4 years ago
We were so busy saying hello to all the tables of mostly people we didn't know, that my wife and I didn't even eat. We had our first meal as a married couple at Outback Steakhouse!
#52
(1) hired a better photographer; (2) carried a parasol / sun umbrella. We had boatloads of fun on a beautiful sunny California day, but with the champagne and being outside all day I got a really nasty dehydration headache near sunset.
#53
I wish I hadn’t forgotten to take photos with his family. Before you make assumptions - my family wasn’t even there, we had a small wedding with only some friends, colleagues and his family there. There was no party, just dinner with his side of the family. Our initial wedding plans were destroyed/delayed by the pandemic. So we took a different day and got married in the local hall. It was a beautiful day, more people came to congratulate us than I expected. The regret came in the evening when I realized - the family photo! We didn’t take one! I still cringe when I think about it because I’m afraid his mom might think it wasn’t important to me. But we have talked about it and I hope she gets how overwhelmed I was that day. We still plan on celebrating with my family, like the actual wedding party we had initially planned. So there’s still hope to correct this mistake!
Judy Reynolds 4 years ago
I wonder what everyone will remember about the pandemic and all the disruptions, 20 years from now...
#54
I would have 100% told my photographer NO when he insisted me and my husband go outside for more photos (there was a pretty light installation) towards the end of our reception. I know they meant well and were trying to fulfill their duties to get the “best” photos, but taking those photos took time away from our guests - some of them were leaving and could not even find us. Really wish we could’ve went around to each individual table to engage for a hot second/thank everyone for coming/take a group selfie lol I would have cared less about having an even number of people in the wedding party - so stupid in hindsight. Also would’ve worn a better long wear lipstick formula
#55
Spend all that money on a bomb-ass honeymoon and a trip abroad the year after. So much money... not necessarily wasted, but we spent a lot for a "big party".
#56
Nothing. Aside from doing it sooner. ☺️ We eloped in Hawaii with 2 sets of close friends as our witnesses. We had fancy photos taken and went to a resort for a fancy dinner afterwards. The dinner was in a gorgeous thatched hut over a koi pond. It was everything I wanted and more. No stress, gorgeous photos, wonderful memories. 10/10 would recommend.
#57
I wish I didn't have it during lock down. Due to restrictions and social distancing only my two witnesses (my mum and sister) could attend and see us get married. Then my husband (who was taking part in a COVID study where he got tested once a week) got a text, while we driving to our wedding breakfast, to say he had tested positive for COVID. So we had to miss our own wedding breakfast and go straight home and isolate. My mum and sister had to driven 2 hours to our wedding also had to get back in their cars and drove straight home and isolate as they had been in contact with us. So never got to celebrate.
#58
We eloped, with plans to have a large wedding with family later, but then covid hit. So, I wish I would have worn my actual wedding dress. We've been married for 2 years and he hasn't seen it yet. I'm also pregnant now, so there's no way it would fit currently, so I can't even plan a fancy dinner or photos or something to show him.
#59
We had a very small wedding but I think I would have probably just eloped, and I would have gone dress shopping with just him. We had a really lovely day with a handful of people we love so I don’t regret the way we did things but any time I spoke to someone else I was distracted because I just wanted to be with him!
#60
I wish I would have gone with the wedding photographer I originally wanted but was out of my budget. I could have made it work by cutting costs elsewhere. I also regret inviting in-laws to hair and make up. Too many people and not as relaxing or fun as I hoped.
#61
I would have had a more set in stone schedule in mind and a list of pictures that I wanted written out. I had moments and pictures that I imagined. But I had a hard time communicating that vision to other people. So some of those moments and pictures didn't happen the way I envisioned.
Rhon Young 4 years ago
At our daughters wedding she had a photo list and organised for a very bossy friend to be in charge. Our daughters MIL just basically pushed her not invited friends and family in front of the camera so none of my invited family had photos with the bride and groom. Many of the bride and grooms friends missed out too.
#62
Nothing, it was an amazing day. One small thing though, I wrote out all the place cards by hand. And our caterers chucked them all in the bin. Luckily we found them the next morning, but I didn’t think to ask the “please don’t throw my name card away”
#63
Looked more extensively for a better photographer. I chose the first one based on a recommendation and he had a pretty decent portfolio. But I got his cheapest package, which definitely showed in what kinds of pictures we ended up with. The pictures were nice looking, but so many I could tell were random shots that did not make sense (There are so many pictures of my back?). He was also extremely unresponsive to communication which stressed me out immensely.
#64
I would have chosen a different dress. I picked one that I didn't love because it wasn't very expensive and I wouldn't need to get it tailored. Ultimately, the dress was fine and my wedding was the best day of my life. The 17 most important people in our lives were there, the food and alcohol were incredible, and I married the love of my life. The planning took a total of 3 months and I experienced no stress. If all I have to complain about is that my dress was meh, then I really have nothing to complain about!
#65
Wished I’d paid for a photographer. Our wedding was super-small and low-key BUT everyone looked amazing and there’s only cruddy cellphone pictures to remember it.
#66
Not invite my in-laws, possibly even elope. They kept trying to take over the wedding and make it their way. They also kept telling her she isn't ready for marriage. A family friend from my side and my pregnant cousin kicked them out of the planning meeting so they'd stop forcing their ideas and let my spouse decide how she wanted the wedding to be. My spouse wasn't ready to cut them off yet, but since then she realized just how toxic they are.
Paula Marowsky 4 years ago
Or bride and bride wedding. Maybe the couple is actually two women loving each other and getting married
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#67
Everything but marry someone else. My wedding day was not my wedding day. It was the wedding day I was expected to have by my parents and relatives, because they all knew that my sister and brother wouldn't have "proper" weddings, so being the oldest who has to 'set the good example' I was going to do so. Even if that's not what I wanted, which I didn't. If it had been up to me, I would've been wearing a fancy ass black ballgown with a giant skirt and lace absolutely everywhere, carried a bouquet of daisies and gotten married in a local botanic garden. Instead, I had to wear a white beaded monstrosity with a 4 foot train , carry a bouquet of silk roses (my mom wanted REAL roses, which I can't stand the smell of because I think they stink) and got married in the church I grew up in.
#68
Had the hem of my dress at the front so it was a little higher and not stood on it and ripped the inner layer straight after the ceremony. But that's the only thing apart from a few swaps of guests but given it was several years ago and you meet new friends after occasions there isn't much to regret there. Otherwise I had a good time!
#69
Nothing. We eloped in another state and only told our close friends and family our plan. We got married on a beach with a photographer at 9am, photos over at 10, went back to take a nap, went to the beach, had sushi for dinner and went on a cruise the following day. Posted a photo to Facebook that we got married for everyone else to know lol. Surprise. (We had been together four years at that time and lived together, so not out of the blue) Not many people they can say they took a nap their wedding day though. We had a reception half a year later in our home town with our friends and family, and I got to go wedding dress shopping with my mom since I wore a simple white beach dress for my wedding day. Wouldn’t change anything.
#70
Hired a photographer. All I have are memories and some cellphone pictures from family that I got off Facebook. Unprintable. Even if you can't afford a professional, look at portfolios of amateur photographers. My regret led me to purchase a nikon and start learning. 5 years later I've learned a lot and have started photographing weddings for very low fees (~$300) so that even if they aren't the BEST photos, they have good printable photos from their special day.
#71
Chosen a different dress. I’m still in love with my dress but I chose a heavy satin dress and I got married in August. Several outside photos I have streaks in my makeup because I’m sweating so bad. Also I would have gotten someone better to do my makeup.
#72
I would have paid someone to be in control and make all the decisions that day. I made the cake, decorated, and arranged my entire wedding and on the day I couldn’t enjoy a second of it because I decided to be the wedding planner as well. I barely remember the event at all.
#73
Gotten a videographer. Maybe a different dress. I loved my dress, but I was so focused on getting one that wasn’t pricey that I feel like I settled a bit. There are dresses now that I see that I’m like “man THAT is the kind of dress I should have gotten!” Everything else was golden.
#74
We forgot to tell the guests to sit down after I walked in 🤦♀️ Other than that it was the perfect wedding!
#76
I would have delayed our wedding a little bit so that we could have a wedding we actually liked and enjoyed. My family is very strict and we had to get married in order to live together. Since my now husband had been offered a good job and was about to be relocated we rushed into things and didn't enjoy much of the process, we didn't even get a honey moon since we were in the process of moving
#77
I wish I had paid a bit more for the second photographer. I also wish I had someone record just the speeches. Our caterers were awful but that’s not something we could’ve known before. Other than that, everything went so well it was shocking.
#79
Ours was pretty perfect, but if I could change something, I'd change: My nail color My bouquet color Filmed on a phone instead of a Go Pro (I thought the Go Pro would be better, but a phone definitely would have); This was to supplement a photographer, so it isn't a giant deal, but would have been an easy change.
#81
I think I would have not bought decor and my dress. We had a micro ceremony and didn’t use any thing. And now we’re having an actual wedding and my venue is all inclusive and I want a different dress lol so I could have saved a lot of money if I knew there was going to be a pandemic and my grandpa was going to die
What do you think ?
Steffen Rehm 4 years ago (edited)
Change my glasses. I tried this self shading glasses to spare some money, because i need sunglasses with my Dioptrien too and it sums up over the years. Every ducking picture with me in it, is this guy with his brown/shady looking glasses on his face and i hate it. My wife looks beautiful and i would marry her again, but this damn glasses haunt me to today.
Christian Storms 4 years ago
Same. We had medieval style wedding at a castle in traditional clothing, and I forgot to wear contacts, so I wore shades... Also had a good sunburn from my bachelor party at the beach (with untrimmed beard) so if you zoom in or in the photos I took my glasses off, you can clearly see the tanlines in my face
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Summer Mason 4 years ago
I have no photos We eloped in the file room of the court house. I would of loved an actual wedding.
Monika Rhodes 4 years ago
I loved our wedding, small, cheap and we were in a position to go for a wedding in a windmill- it was awesome. Weather in september on the day was gorgeous too. We couldn't take food back with us so rip fried chicken. Other than that- I wouldn't change a thing.
Just saying 4 years ago
Seriously save the money and get married either at the registry office with a couple of friends and family, or if you are a church goer, ask your minister if you can get married during the morning service like a baptism or something. Just the next item on the agenda, before the notices.
Christian Storms 4 years ago
Wouldn't have changed much. I took my good time asking the question, so both of us were old enough (28/24) to do it our way. Which meant medieval, in full ornate, at a castle, with only 28 people, closest friends (bridesmaids) and family. Had a semi professional (experienced hobbyist) photograf which did a great job, great staged and candid shots of everything, tons of beautifull pictures for a fair price. Only thing I regret is not having a video of our speech. It was really spontaneous, nobody had time or thought of pulling his smartphone. We have great pictures, but no recording. And we missed the cheese platter while doing staged photos...
Jenni Frovarp 4 years ago
I’ve been married for 29 years. My only regret is that I didn’t make my sister the MOH instead of a bridesmaid. I’ve lost touch with the other 2 girls, but she and I are closer than ever
Arctic Fox Lover 4 years ago
Hm, I hope I get married some day! Even though I'm reading all these stories of weddings gone wrong!
Steffen Rehm 4 years ago (edited)
Change my glasses. I tried this self shading glasses to spare some money, because i need sunglasses with my Dioptrien too and it sums up over the years. Every ducking picture with me in it, is this guy with his brown/shady looking glasses on his face and i hate it. My wife looks beautiful and i would marry her again, but this damn glasses haunt me to today.
Christian Storms 4 years ago
Same. We had medieval style wedding at a castle in traditional clothing, and I forgot to wear contacts, so I wore shades... Also had a good sunburn from my bachelor party at the beach (with untrimmed beard) so if you zoom in or in the photos I took my glasses off, you can clearly see the tanlines in my face
Load More Replies... Summer Mason 4 years ago
I have no photos We eloped in the file room of the court house. I would of loved an actual wedding.
Monika Rhodes 4 years ago
I loved our wedding, small, cheap and we were in a position to go for a wedding in a windmill- it was awesome. Weather in september on the day was gorgeous too. We couldn't take food back with us so rip fried chicken. Other than that- I wouldn't change a thing.
Just saying 4 years ago
Seriously save the money and get married either at the registry office with a couple of friends and family, or if you are a church goer, ask your minister if you can get married during the morning service like a baptism or something. Just the next item on the agenda, before the notices.
Christian Storms 4 years ago
Wouldn't have changed much. I took my good time asking the question, so both of us were old enough (28/24) to do it our way. Which meant medieval, in full ornate, at a castle, with only 28 people, closest friends (bridesmaids) and family. Had a semi professional (experienced hobbyist) photograf which did a great job, great staged and candid shots of everything, tons of beautifull pictures for a fair price. Only thing I regret is not having a video of our speech. It was really spontaneous, nobody had time or thought of pulling his smartphone. We have great pictures, but no recording. And we missed the cheese platter while doing staged photos...
Jenni Frovarp 4 years ago
I’ve been married for 29 years. My only regret is that I didn’t make my sister the MOH instead of a bridesmaid. I’ve lost touch with the other 2 girls, but she and I are closer than ever
Arctic Fox Lover 4 years ago
Hm, I hope I get married some day! Even though I'm reading all these stories of weddings gone wrong!
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