After the wedding day is over, we often hear couples share their biggest wedding regrets. These aren’t dramatic disasters or anything that ruined the celebration. More often, they’re small choices that add stress, cut into their time, or make it harder to stay present. Our goal is to help you create a smoother, more meaningful experience. With over a decade in the wedding industry, we’ve seen what leads to a relaxed, joy-filled day, and what tends to leave couples saying, “I wish we had done that differently.”
Hello and welcome, we’re Maggie and Amber, the best friend duo behind Kindred Light Studios. As wedding photographers with over 12 years of experience, we’ve learned that the best photos come from a day that’s thoughtfully planned, intentionally paced, and entirely yours. Many wedding regrets, from rushed timelines to missed moments, can be avoided with the right team by your side.
We’re here to do more than take beautiful photos. We’re here to help you feel present, connected, and at ease every step of the way. Want to learn more about our process or check your date? We’d love to hear from you.
Regret #1: Not Doing a First Look
We hear this one a lot. Couples who choose not to do a first look often wish they had taken a few quiet moments together before the ceremony.
Something is grounding about seeing each other without a crowd around. It helps calm nerves, creates space for genuine emotion, and often results in some of the most heartfelt photos of the day. Plus, it can significantly expand your timeline, making it easier to attend the cocktail hour or reduce photo time after the ceremony.
If you’re unsure, ask your photographer what a first look might look like for your wedding. It doesn’t have to be stiff or overly posed. Sometimes, it’s just about having that one deep breath together before the day takes off.
Looking for a venue with European elegance right here in Ohio? Check out our favorite Cincinnati spots that feel straight out of Europe. Read it here.
Regret #2: Having a Large Bridal Party
A big bridal party might sound fun, but it can come with a lot of extra pressure. More people mean more opinions, more schedules to juggle, and often, more chaos in the getting-ready space.
We’ve seen couples spend the morning trying to manage hair and makeup timelines or navigate group dynamics instead of actually enjoying the start of their day. That’s energy you don’t get back.
If keeping things simple sounds appealing, you might consider a smaller group or even skipping a traditional wedding party altogether. The people you love will still be there to celebrate, and you’ll have more space to focus on each other.
Worried you’ll forget to ask for a photo you really wanted? We’ve put together a list of meaningful, creative wedding photo ideas to help you plan ahead and avoid that regret later. Take a look here.
Regret #3: Not Attending Your Own Cocktail Hour
You planned it. You paid for it. And then… You missed it. Cocktail hour is one of the most common wedding regrets we hear from couples.
Why does it happen so often? Usually because:
- Portraits and family photos are scheduled during that time
- There’s travel between venues, and not enough buffer built in
- The timeline runs behind, and cocktail hour is the first thing to be cut
But it doesn’t have to be that way. To make sure you’re actually part of the party you planned:
- As mentioned previous, a first look so you can take photos before the ceremony
- Keep your ceremony and reception at the same location if possible
- Work with your planner or photographer to create space in your schedule
You deserve to enjoy a drink, snack on your hors d’oeuvres, and soak in that beautiful in-between moment. It’s one of the few chances to slow down, and one you’ll definitely want to remember.
Regret #4: Wedding Regrets Start with an Unmanaged Timeline
When the day starts running behind, it affects everything. Couples feel rushed, portraits get shortened, and moments that should be calm and joyful end up feeling frantic. We’ve seen this turn into one of the biggest wedding regrets, not because something went wrong, but because the whole day felt like a blur.
One of the best ways to keep things on track is to hire a planner or day-of coordinator. They handle the details and make sure everything flows so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Even if you’re working with a smaller budget, this is an area worth investing in. When your timeline runs smoothly, everything else does too.
Don’t miss our interview with a seasoned wedding planner, where she shares insider advice on building a timeline that works, what couples often overlook, and how to keep stress to a minimum. Read the blog here.
Regret #5: Not Hiring a Photographer You Connect With
Photography isn’t just about how it looks, it’s about how it feels while it’s happening.
As your photographers, we’re with you through the most emotional and personal parts of your day, from quiet getting-ready moments to the final dance. That’s why building trust and connection matters so much. When you feel at ease with us, you can relax, be fully present, and actually enjoy the experience of being photographed.
We take time to get to know you, guide you gently through the process, and create space for real, unforced moments. This isn’t about stiff poses or looking perfect. It’s about telling your story in a way that feels true to you.
Choosing a photographer shouldn’t come down to portfolio alone. It’s about finding someone who makes you feel safe, seen, and supported, and that’s exactly what we’re here to do.
Curious about our photography style? We blend editorial beauty with documentary honesty to tell your story. Learn more here.
Regret #6: Skipping Private, Meaningful Time Together
Among the top wedding regrets we hear this one takes the cake (pun intended). Your wedding day will fly by. Between guests, logistics, and all the excitement, it’s easy to move from moment to moment without ever slowing down. Some couples realize afterward that they barely saw each other all day. That’s a hard feeling to sit with, and one of the quieter wedding regrets we often hear.
One of the best ways to stay grounded is by planning in a few private moments. This could be a quiet morning letter exchange, a private vow reading, or even a short walk together after the ceremony. If you can, try to stay close throughout the day instead of getting pulled in separate directions. It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference in how connected the day feels.
Golden hour is another perfect opportunity to pause and soak it all in. Stepping away for a few just-married portraits as the sun sets isn’t just about the dreamy light (although, yes please!). It’s about catching your breath together and being fully present in the magic of the moment.
If you’re planning a smaller celebration or elopement, this kind of intentional time tends to happen more naturally. Whatever the size of your wedding, make space for those quiet, just-the-two-of-you moments. Those are the ones that tend to stick.
If having more time together sounds like your kind of day, you might want to consider a smaller celebration. We shared more about why intimate weddings and elopements can create space for deeper connection and fewer regrets in this blog.
Regret #7: Trying to Please Everyone but Themselves
Weddings often come with a lot of outside opinions, from family, friends, and even social media. It’s easy to feel pressured into saying yes to things you don’t actually want. Whether it’s big or small, these decisions can add up and leave you with one of the toughest wedding regrets: feeling like your day wasn’t truly yours.
Here’s how to stay grounded in what matters:
- Set clear boundaries early with family and anyone involved in planning
- Decide together what’s most important, whether that’s the size of your guest list, the vibe of your ceremony, or how the day flows.
- Be okay with letting go of traditions that don’t feel authentic to you
- Tune out the noise from trends or outside expectations, especially on social media
- Check in with each other often to make sure your decisions reflect you two
The truth is, you’ll never regret planning a wedding that feels like your own. But you might regret trying to please everyone else.
Making Sure Wedding Regrets Aren’t Part of Your Story
The good news? Most wedding regrets are totally preventable with a bit of awareness and some thoughtful choices. Your wedding doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. It just has to feel like you. So slow down. Trust your gut. Surround yourself with a team that cares just as much about your experience as you do.
If that sounds like the kind of wedding day you’re planning, we’d love to be part of it. Reach out to check your date, take a look at our portfolio to see how we document meaningful moments, or come say hi on Instagram. We’d love to connect and hear what you’re dreaming up.
