Advice for couples planning their wedding

Planning a wedding can be very stressful, there is so much to book and organise and lots of little details can be forgotten along the way. I often get asked "what are some common wedding regrets/advice from other couples?".

The below list has been collated from some couple's regrets, strangers off the internet and my own observations.

Not having a veil - veils can create the most gorgeous creative photos
Messy house for getting ready - a lot of brides and grooms regretted not having the "getting ready" houses in ship shape for the photos.
Not getting photos at sunset - I highly recommend the couple reserve time for photos at golden hour, these are the most dreamy photos.
Not having a list for family photos - A lot of couples regret not having a set list of the family members they want a photo with. Getting your family together for wedding photos can be like herding cats!
Not having personalized items for groomsmen and bridesmaids for photos - Etsy is your best friend for these. Whether it be personalized socks, hip flasks, Pj's, jewellery, sunglasses etc etc.
Inviting too many guests - It can be super hard choosing who is coming vs who isn't coming. But more couples regret inviting too many vs not inviting enough. This is mainly related to budget.
Planning out of obligation - plan your day for you and your partner, not anybody else!
Not eating enough on the day - A hungry groom is a cranky groom, make sure you stop to get some snacks between photos and mingling.
Not having multiple shoe options - ladies! Get yourself some comfortable shoes to slip into once the ceremony is over.
Not having a first look - this is debatable, but a lot of couples prefer to have a first look compared to seeing each other when walking down the aisle. A first look is a lot more intimate for the couple.
Letting guests get drunk too early - enough said. If you are offering a open tab, start it once you (the couple) arrive at the reception, not before.
Worrying too much on the day instead of enjoying it - you can't change the weather or things not working out the way you want. But planning ahead does solve a lot of "on the day" problems.
Not having two dress options - its vogue, on trend and can be a lot more comfortable. But it all depends on your budget and what you are prioritizing.
Not having a videographer - ok this is legit, not just because I am a videographer! So many couples regret not having a wedding video. It's one of the most important days of your life, you want to capture the laughter, the tears and the dancing in video.
Following trends - timeless weddings don't date. Trendy weddings date very quickly.
Location location location - you don't have to spend thousandssss to get a stunning ceremony/reception location. A lot of the weddings I have the privilege of capturing are on a family farm and they are amazing. I recommend a location with scenery, water and hills is possible, But most importantly, choose a place that is important to you and your partner.
Having the ceremony in full sun - nobody wants to look back at their wedding photos and see that they were squinting the whole time! Try to find shade for the ceremony, or build a backdrop that can throw some shade.
Doing their own hair and makeup - there is enough stress in the morning of, don't add more by doing your own hair and makeup (unless you are a professional in that field) Splash out to get your hair and makeup done by a professional.
Allowing kids at the wedding - This is a big regret for some couples. It can be awkward asking your guests to leave their kids with a babysitter, but it will be worth it on the day.

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