Wedding Budget Regrets Are Real — Here’s What Real Couples Wish They Did Differently
I ran a quick poll on Instagram recently and asked two simple questions:
If you were a recent bride, how much did you go over budget?
Do you have any regrets?
The answers came in fast — and they were so honest.
Most people said they went over. Some by a few thousand, others by a lot more. And almost everyone had at least one thing they wish they had done differently.
Here are a few responses that stuck with me:
“I wish we kept our planner more accountable.”
“We went over on florals, and while they were beautiful, we definitely could’ve cut some costs.”
“Wish I hired a better photo and video team — and that they’d given us the raw footage too.”
These aren’t regrets from couples who didn’t care. They’re from people who did care — who wanted their day to be meaningful and beautiful, but felt like the process snowballed before they could hit pause.
Why Wedding Budgets Spiral So Easily (Especially in Multicultural or Multi-Day Weddings)
Weddings already come with big emotions. Add in cultural layers, family expectations, and multiple events, and the pressure grows fast.
As a Bay Area wedding planner who supports multicultural and interfaith couples, I’ve seen how easily couples fall into this pattern:
Saying yes to everything because it feels easier than saying no
Prioritizing what looks good instead of what feels aligned
Making quick decisions without fully understanding the impact
And suddenly that “firm” $70K budget becomes a soft $90K — and the stress starts to creep in.
The Top 3 Areas Couples Most Often Overspend (and What to Consider Instead)
If you're in the thick of budgeting right now, here are the three categories I see spiral most often:
1. Florals
Flowers make a huge impact, but they also add up quickly — especially when every arrangement is custom and every table is full. One bride told me:
“They were beautiful… but if I could do it again, I would’ve scaled back. I think we got caught up in the moment.”
💡 Tip: Repurpose your ceremony flowers for the reception. Focus on impact pieces over quantity.
2. Photo + Video
This is something couples rarely regret investing in — but they often regret choosing the wrong team or not asking enough questions.
“We went with a photo and video team that was fine, but I wish we’d done more research. We didn’t get the raw footage and now it’s too late.”
💡 Tip: Ask up front about turnaround time, editing style, and if raw footage is included. Make sure they align with your energy.
3. Food & Beverage Upgrades
This one often starts subtly — an extra cocktail station here, a late-night snack there. But it adds up fast.
💡 Tip: Ask yourself: Will guests really notice this? If not, skip it. Prioritize good food and service over novelty.
Already Over Budget? Here’s What You Can Still Do
If you’re already feeling like things are getting out of hand — take a breath. It’s not too late.
Here’s where you can regain clarity:
Revisit your priorities: What do you want your guests to remember? What will you remember?
Look for categories where scope can be adjusted: Maybe your rental wishlist can be simplified or your décor scaled back without sacrificing the vibe.
Talk to your planner or vendors: A good team will help you strategize, not guilt you for changing direction.
And if you don’t have a planner but wish you had someone to talk through it with — that’s exactly what my Ask Me Anything Kit is for.
Need Clarity Before Booking or Spending More?
The Ask Me Anything Kit is a 3-hour strategy session (split up however you want) to help you get grounded in the planning process before things get overwhelming.
Whether you’re trying to set your budget, choose a venue, or just want to avoid regret later — I’ve got you.
There’s no pressure to book a full planning package. This is just a way to get honest, supportive guidance from someone who’s seen what works, what spirals, and what couples actually care about after the fact.
👉 Learn more about the Ask Me Anything Kit here
Final Thoughts
Regret doesn’t usually come from spending — it comes from spending in places that didn’t actually matter to you.
And when you’re planning a multicultural or interfaith wedding, where there’s more complexity and more voices involved, it’s so easy to lose sight of that.
My hope is that this post reminds you to pause. Get clear. And remember that you don’t need to do everything — just the things that feel right for you and your partner.
If any of this hit home for you, feel free to share it with someone in the thick of planning or DM me what you’re navigating. I always love hearing what’s actually coming up for real couples — it’s what makes this work matter.
