Top 5 Wedding Regrets (and How to Avoid Them)
Planning a wedding is a wild ride, but no matter how perfectly you pull it off, hindsight always offers a few “wish we’d done that” moments. At Elm Pass Woods, we’ve hosted many incredible weddings, and while every one of them has been magical in its own way, we’ve heard from enough couples to know a few common regrets. Spoiler alert: they’re totally avoidable! If you’re planning your big day, let’s talk about what you might want to pay extra attention to, so you can walk away from your wedding with zero regrets.
1. “We Should Have Splurged on Photography”
This is the big one, folks. Couples often think that if the vibe is great, the photos don’t matter as much. Trust us—when the day flies by in a blur (and it will), those photos will be the way you revisit it over and over again. At Elm Pass Woods, we’re all about those golden hour shots, capturing the way the light hits those hilltops. But if you don’t have the right person behind the lens, you’ll miss the magic.
How to Avoid It:
- Find someone whose style makes your heart skip a beat. It’s about more than snapping pics; it’s about storytelling and all photogs have their unique style.
- Consider getting a mix of posed and candid shots. You’ll want to remember the realness of your day, not just the Pinterest-perfect moments. For the love of all your memories, if all you see on a photogs IG or website is the couple looking straight at the camera and smiling – BACK AWAY SLOWLY and keep looking. I’ve seen these types of galleries, and I don’t want that for you.
2. “We Wish We Had Spent More Time with Guests”
It’s easy to get caught up in everything on your wedding day—family photos, cutting the cake, making sure the timeline runs smoothly. But then you blink, and it’s over, and you realize you barely said two words to your favorite aunt or danced with your college roommate. The best part of a wedding is the people who’ve come to celebrate with you, so don’t miss out on spending time with them.
How to Avoid It:
- Plan for moments of downtime. It’s okay to step away from the schedule and just be with your people. I’m a fan of an extended cocktail hour for this reason! 90 minutes if you can swing it – a first look will help create more time for this, but it can be done without if you do it right!
- Consider a more relaxed timeline. We’re all about letting the day flow naturally here at Elm Pass Woods. You don’t need to rush! Cake cutting not that important to you? Cut it! Or make it not announced so you can breeze through it without the whole wedding stopping to gawk (which takes more time!)
3. “The Day Was Such a Blur!”
This one is common, and we get it—weddings are exciting, emotional, and a little overwhelming. Couples often say they remember only pieces of their day because they were so busy bouncing from one thing to the next. At Elm Pass Woods, we believe in slowing down and soaking in the moments.
How to Avoid It:
- Carve out private time. Whether it’s a “first look” before the ceremony or a quiet moment together having dinner up on the ridge, give yourselves time to breathe and be present.
- Delegate! Hire a day-of coordinator (Our Traditional Package includes one!) to keep things moving so you can focus on enjoying the day. Fun fact, even if you don’t use ours, we do require you hire a professional coordinator. Why? We’ve seen weddings without one and they are a sh*t show – and we don’t want that for you!
4. “We Spent Too Much on Stuff That Didn’t Matter”
Weddings can get expensive fast, and it’s easy to blow the budget on things like elaborate floral arrangements or fancy linens. But couples often realize after the fact that those extra details weren’t the things they or their guests remembered. At Elm Pass Woods, we’re all about meaningful, intentional celebrations, not about spending a fortune on unnecessary fluff.
How to Avoid It:
- Prioritize what matters to you. Is it food? Music? A killer dance floor? Focus on the things that will make you and your guests happy.
- Think about what lasts. Experiences over stuff. Great food, a fun band or DJ, and memories are what people will remember—not the color of the napkins.
5. “We Should Have Hired a Videographer”
Photos are wonderful, but there’s something about seeing the day unfold in motion—hearing your vows, watching your friends tear it up on the dance floor—that hits differently. Yet, many couples skip the videographer to save a few bucks, only to regret it later.
How to Avoid It:
- Consider at least a highlight reel. If a full package seems like too much, a short, edited video of the best moments is a great compromise.
- Find a videographer who matches your style. Like photography, it’s all about capturing your vibe—whether that’s cinematic and moody or laid-back and playful.
A Few Final Thoughts from Elm Pass Woods
At the end of the day, your wedding is about celebrating love with the people who matter most to you. It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but when you’re looking back on your big day, it’s the moments and emotions that stick with you—not the centerpieces or the perfectly timed speeches. Here at Elm Pass Woods, we’re all about creating a space where you can enjoy your day without the stress. So, take a deep breath, focus on what’s important, and make sure your wedding is a reflection of you.
And if you ever need a reminder to slow down and enjoy the ride, just look around at the trees and hills that surround you here. They’ve been here for centuries, and they’ll remind you that what matters most isn’t the little things—it’s the love and memories you’re building.
Hero Image: Of the Wildflowers Photography
