Your wedding budget is finite, but the list of things you “absolutely must have” seems endless. After talking to countless brides post-wedding, certain spending regrets come up again and again—and they might surprise you.
1. Expensive Wedding Favors
Those tiny succulents with personalized tags seemed like such a sweet gesture. But here’s the truth: most guests forget to take them home, and the ones who do often leave them in their car until they shrivel up.
Brides consistently report finding dozens of untouched favors at the end of their reception. One bride spent $800 on custom candles only to take home 75% of them. The money would have been better spent upgrading the bar or adding an extra course to dinner.
Instead of elaborate favors, consider something edible that doubles as dessert, or skip them entirely. Your guests came to celebrate you, not to collect tchotchkes.
2. Premium Upgraded Linens
Wedding venues love to upsell linens because the markup is astronomical. That “champagne” tablecloth costs them $3 to clean but they’ll charge you $25 per table to upgrade from basic white.
Most guests won’t notice the difference between standard and premium linens, especially once the tables are set with plates, glasses, and centerpieces. The upgrade rarely photographs dramatically different either.
Save this money for something more impactful like better lighting or upgraded florals. Your photographer can make basic white linens look stunning with the right styling.
3. Over-the-Top Transportation
The vintage Rolls Royce or horse-drawn carriage makes for a few pretty photos, but you’ll use it for maybe 30 minutes total. Many brides report feeling stressed about timing and logistics rather than enjoying the romantic moment they envisioned.
Luxury transportation often comes with hidden costs too—overtime fees, cleaning charges, and gratuity that can double your quoted price. One bride’s $500 vintage car rental became $900 after all the extras.
A beautifully decorated regular car or even a friend’s convertible can create equally memorable photos. Put that transportation money toward your honeymoon instead.
4. Designer Wedding Shoes
Those $400 Jimmy Choos will be hidden under your dress for most of the day. More importantly, your feet will be screaming after hour three, and you’ll likely change into flip-flops or go barefoot for dancing.
Brides consistently wish they’d prioritized comfort over designer labels. Sore feet affect your mood, your ability to dance, and your overall enjoyment of the day.
Invest in comfortable shoes that you can actually walk and dance in. Break them in thoroughly before the wedding, and consider having a backup pair ready.
5. Excessive Floral Arrangements
Flowers are beautiful, but they’re also one of the most expensive per-hour investments you’ll make. That $3,000 bridal bouquet looks gorgeous for photos but wilts by evening and gets tossed aside during dancing.
Elaborate ceremony arrangements often can’t be moved to the reception, so you’re paying twice for florals. Many venues also charge setup and breakdown fees that aren’t included in your florist’s quote.
Scale back on flowers and invest in one or two statement arrangements instead. Greenery, candles, and creative lighting can create just as much impact for far less money.
6. Professional Videography Upgrades
Basic wedding videography captures your day beautifully, but those cinematic packages with drone footage and multiple camera angles rarely justify their premium cost. Many couples watch their wedding video once or twice and then it sits on a shelf.
The “raw footage” package sounds appealing until you realize it’s 8+ hours of unedited content that you’ll never actually sit through. Expensive same-day highlight reels often feel rushed and miss important moments.
Choose a videographer whose basic package includes the ceremony and reception highlights. Skip the bells and whistles that sound impressive but don’t add lasting value.
7. Premium Open Bar Packages
Top-shelf liquor sounds impressive, but most wedding guests can’t tell the difference between premium and mid-range alcohol, especially in mixed drinks. You’re often paying double for brands that get masked by mixers anyway.
Wedding venues mark up alcohol significantly, so that “premium” package might include bottles that cost them $15 but they’re charging you $50. The profit margins on upgraded bar packages are enormous.
Stick with a standard open bar and perhaps upgrade just the signature cocktails. Your guests will be just as happy, and you’ll save hundreds or even thousands.
8. Elaborate Guest Book Alternatives
Pinterest is full of creative guest book ideas—wishing trees, photo booths with props, custom puzzles for guests to sign. These Instagram-worthy alternatives often cost more than traditional guest books and create logistical headaches.
Many couples report that guests were confused by elaborate alternatives or simply skipped them entirely. The custom puzzle pieces get lost, the wishing tree cards blow away, and you’re left with an expensive decoration instead of meaningful messages.
A beautiful traditional guest book serves its purpose and costs a fraction of trendy alternatives. Focus on making it easy for guests to participate rather than creating a complicated experience.
9. Designer Wedding Cake Upgrades
That four-tier fondant masterpiece with hand-piped details costs a fortune and often tastes like cardboard. Many brides report that their expensive designer cake was barely touched because guests preferred other desserts or were too full by cake time.
Elaborate sugar flowers and intricate designs photograph beautifully but add hundreds to your bill without improving taste. Some couples spend more on their cake than on their photographer, which seems backwards in hindsight.
Choose a baker known for taste over Instagram-worthy designs. A simple, delicious cake will be more appreciated than an elaborate sculpture that looks better than it tastes.
10. Premium Stationery Packages
Letterpress invitations with hand-calligraphy addressing and custom wax seals look stunning, but they’re often the most expensive piece of paper your guests will throw away. Most people RSVP and then toss the invitation.
Elaborate stationery suites with multiple inserts, belly bands, and specialty papers can cost more than some people’s entire wedding dress budget. The money rarely translates to better guest experience or lasting memories.
Digital invitations or simple, well-designed paper invites serve the same function. Put that stationery money toward something guests will actually experience at your wedding.
Finding Balance in Wedding Spending
Wedding regret often comes from spending money on things that look good on Pinterest but don’t enhance your actual experience. The most satisfied brides invested in elements that directly impacted their guests’ comfort and enjoyment.
Focus your budget on great food, good music, and comfortable seating. These basics matter more than expensive details that photograph well but don’t create lasting memories.
Your wedding day will be beautiful regardless of whether you spent $50 or $500 on centerpieces. Choose investments that align with what you’ll actually remember and value years later.