We asked 10 brides what their biggest regrets were on their wedding day. Some of them were expected, and some were totally unexpected.
Let’s be real—weddings are chaotic. Brides are busy entertaining guests, making sure everything looks perfect, packing for their honeymoon, coordinating with vendors, and dealing with a million last-minute things. No matter how much you plan, things can still go a little (or a lot) off track.
But hey, that’s why we’re here! We got real brides to spill the tea on what they wish they had done differently. So, before you walk down the aisle, take notes—because these confessions will help you avoid the same mistakes.
Here are 10 brutally honest wedding day regrets, straight from the brides themselves!
I Wore New Shoes for the First Time and My Feet Died
“I wore a saree for my reception and picked super high heels because my saree was long, and I really didn’t want to trip. But what I completely forgot to think about was how long I’d actually have to stand in them. The shoes were new, ridiculously tall, and within an hour, my feet were screaming for help.
Oh, and the worst part? I also wanted to match my husband’s height (because, you know, photos). But honestly, I wish I had just worn comfy flat heels or at least broken in my shoes beforehand. Reception night is not the time to experiment with brand-new footwear. Trust me—your feet will hate you for it.”
Too Excited to Eat, Too Hungry to Enjoy—Big Mistake!
“I was so busy running around that even though my mom kept insisting I eat something before the rituals, I just didn’t. I wasn’t in the mood, too caught up with everything, and honestly, way too excited to even think about food.
Big mistake. These early morning rituals go on forever with zero breaks, and halfway through, I was completely drained. My stomach was growling, I felt lightheaded, and all I could think about was food. Instead of enjoying the moment, I was just counting down the minutes till I could eat.
Don’t do this to yourself. Grab a bite before things start—you’ll need the energy, and trust me, you don’t want to spend your wedding rituals dreaming about parathas.”
AC ≠ Cool Enough—Trust Your Decorator!
“The hall we booked had AC, so when my decorator suggested putting an air cooler on stage, I confidently said, “Nah, we don’t need it.” Oh, how wrong I was. The thing is, wedding halls usually have their doors open because people are constantly walking in and out. One hour into the ceremony, we were sweating like crazy. My makeup started melting, my blouse was sticking to my skin, and by the time the peak photo session rolled around, I looked like I had run a marathon. Trust me—just get that air cooler on stage. You will thank yourself later.”
Surprise Turmeric Attack—Makeup Artist Gone, Panic Mode On!
“We had a ritual where my relatives applied turmeric before the muhurtham. I had no idea this was happening after my makeup was done, and since my makeup artist had already left (as per our agreed timing), I was on my own. When I wiped off the turmeric, my makeup turned into a patchy, smudgy mess. And guess what? I didn’t even pack an emergency kit. I had to borrow some products and fix myself up in a rush. If you have any post-makeup rituals, either ask your makeup artist to stick around or at least keep an emergency kit handy. Don’t learn this the hard way like I did.”
Too Many Photos, Not Enough Fun!
“I had so many photo ideas saved—Pinterest boards, bookmarked Insta posts, you name it. But I got so caught up in taking pictures that I completely missed out on all the other things I had planned—like my dance performance, my special bridal entry, and just being in the moment. If I could redo it, I’d list my top must-have shots, stick to a timeline, and not let photography take over my entire wedding. Get your dream shots, but don’t forget to actually enjoy your wedding!”
Surprise Entry? Yeah, It Was a Surprise for Everyone Else Too!
“I had this grand bridal entry planned—music, lights, a special pathway. The problem? I forgot to tell anyone! The DJ and photographer were ready, but my relatives had no idea, and by the time I was about to enter, the entire area was packed with people. My grand entry turned into me awkwardly squeezing through guests while they casually chatted. If you’re planning something special, tell at least one responsible person who can make sure it actually happens the way you imagined.”
Too Many Cooks in the Wedding Planning Kitchen
“My husband and I had planned everything—from the décor to return gifts. But instead of sticking to what we wanted, we let everyone have a say. Relatives, friends, neighbors, that one aunty who thinks she’s a wedding expert—everyone had opinions, and we ended up making so many compromises that it didn’t even feel like our wedding anymore. In hindsight, we should have set boundaries. It’s your wedding—listen to suggestions, but don’t let them completely change your vision.”
Wedding Gifts or Stage Clutter?
“We completely underestimated how many gifts we’d receive. Every guest had something to give, and there was no one assigned to handle them. At first, we neatly placed them behind our seats. But by the end, the stage was a total mess—it looked like a storage room in all the wedding photos! If you don’t want your stage to turn into a gift dumping ground, assign someone to handle the gifts and remove them from the stage immediately. It’ll keep things organized and save your wedding photos from looking like a warehouse.”
My Blouse Was Snatched… Literally!
“I wanted a perfectly fitted blouse for my reception, and yes, it looked amazing. But oh my god, it was the most uncomfortable thing ever. It dug into my skin, left marks, and I couldn’t even breathe properly. I spent half the night adjusting it instead of enjoying myself. Lesson learned: Fitting is important, but comfort matters just as much. Make sure your outfit lets you move, dance, and actually live in it!”
DJ Disaster—One Language, One Big Mistake!
Ours was a two-state wedding, so we needed songs in both languages. I hired a DJ who played both, but here’s where I messed up—I didn’t tell him to actually mix it up! He ended up playing songs in just one language, and half the crowd had no clue what was happening. People were awkwardly standing around, waiting for something they could vibe to. Lesson? Give your DJ clear instructions and a playlist in advance. Don’t just assume they’ll figure it out!
And there you have it—real wedding day regrets from a bride who learned the hard way. Save yourself the trouble, take these tips, and make sure your big day is actually stress-free!