Beth, 29, got married in 2023

“I found some parts really stressful – the budget kept creeping up and the overall cost was more than we wanted – and some parts enjoyable. We were really lucky to have a pretty chill family (no one pressured us into inviting long-lost great aunts) and were decisive about the things we wanted. We only saw one venue in person, and it ticked all the boxes, so we didn’t put any pressure on ourselves by looking at more. There isn’t anything I regret purchasing or doing. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. The stress was worth the best day ever.”

Eves, 30, got married in 2023

“We were quite organised but didn’t anticipate how much we’d have to do. Using spreadsheets worked well for us, and we dedicated most weekends to buying items or booking suppliers. It was very time-consuming, but it helped us to save a lot of money. If I could change one thing looking back, it would be to hire the videographer.”

Nicole, 30, is getting married in 2025

“Our plan was to spend under £10,000, and our reception venue meets that budget. However, the saying ‘You get what you pay for’ has been running through my mind, because the staff at the venue have been difficult to deal with. In hindsight, I wish we’d spent a bit more on a venue where the staff are more attentive and there’s better customer service.

“Even though I’m doing lots of things myself to save money, we’ve ended up paying for extras that we hadn’t initially considered, like an audio guestbook. My partner and I have both lost very close loved ones, so to be able to capture our families’ voices in this way will be a really sentimental keepsake for us in the future.”

Sweetheart tables and last-minute DIY: 9 recent brides share their biggest wedding planning regrets