Picking the wrong wedding outfits, wasting money on a rubbish band, and worrying too much in the lead-up to the big day are among Brits' biggest wedding regrets

A survey of 2,000 married adults revealed more than half (53 per cent) would make changes to their wedding day if they did it again.

Poor budgeting, not spending enough on a decent photographer, and even opting for a free bar also featured in the top 40 list of regrets.

While almost four in ten (38 per cent) felt overwhelmed by the cost of their wedding, a fifth (20 per cent) had to make cutbacks due to spiralling costs.

The honeymoon was the most common item couples decided to save cash on, with just under one in three (31 per cent) slashing their spend on a romantic getaway.

Other cutbacks include reducing the number of wedding guests (26 per cent), the venue (24 per cent), and decorations (23 per cent).

Sally Conway, head of consumer communications at Shawbrook Bank Personal Loans, which commissioned the research, said: “The wedding day is one of the most special moments of a couple's lives – but it’s also one of the most expensive.

“That’s why it’s essential to factor in plenty of time to make it both a personal and financial success.

“Planning early enough and using budgeting tips to manage the various costs is one way to help couples pivot a step closer to achieving their dream day.”

Over a third (37 per cent) regret the amount of money they spent, with 50 per cent having had received financial help from their family.

And while 33 per cent accepted help from their partner’s family, a fifth (19 per cent) used savings and an eighth (12 per cent) took out a personal loan.

Wedding planner Rianna Elizabeth added: “While the early planning stages can feel overwhelming, the good news is that there are techniques and ways to help steer your wedding planning in the right direction.

“Set yourselves a timeline and running order to keep you on track in the lead up to your big day too.

“It’s important to work out your priorities as a couple – if there are then certain compromises you need to make to save costs, it will become clearer which elements to cut back on.

“Wedding planning is a really exciting time, so it’s important to remember to enjoy the process!”

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also revealed that a third (37 per cent) said they would go smaller if they were to have their big day again.

Facilitating more guests, choice of catering and the wedding party’s outfits were among the top things people would spend less on a second time round.

But despite their regrets, 47 per cent still felt had their ‘dream day’.

And almost half (44 per cent) didn’t have to make any cutbacks – with 47 per cent of respondents able to stick to their budget.

Sally Conway added: “Creating a budget in the early stages can help work out your priorities and keep overspending in check.

“It’s important to establish your total wedding fund early on – whether made up from current savings, future savings, family contributions or potential lending options – then you can estimate the costs of each element based on your priorities as a couple.

“We hope these learnings from married couples who have planned a wedding previously, will help newly engaged couples work out their spending priorities.

“While the budgeting process can sometimes feel daunting, we want to help arm a future wave of couples with the right tools to budget and plan effectively, so they can take a step closer to achieving their dream day and start off marriage on the right financial foot.”

Shawbrook Bank Personal Loans has created a dedicated hub of information to help couples with budgeting for their big day, and are running a competition asking engaged couples to share their best budgeting tips for the chance to win a £1000 gift voucher.

Find out more here: https://www.shawbrook.co.uk/budgeting-for-the-big-day/

TOP 40 WEDDING REGRETS:

1.           I didn’t spend enough time with guests

2.           I worried about the little things too much

3.           I got stressed and didn’t enjoy the day enough

4.           I tried too hard to please the guests – rather than myself

5.           I would choose a nicer venue

6.           I spent too much money

7.           I would choose a different wedding outfit

8.           I would choose to have a smaller ceremony

9.           I would choose a different hairstyle

10.         I should have spent more on the photographer

11.         I should have invited less people

12.         I would choose a different location for the venue (city, town, village or country)

13.         I invited too many distant relatives

14.         I didn’t plan enough beforehand

15.         I should have invited more people

16.         I wish I’d spent more money to make it special

17.         Not budgeting properly

18.         I should have gotten a videographer

19.         I would choose different bridesmaid outfits

20.         I would choose different flowers

21.         I would choose different bridesmaids

22.         I would choose a different best man/woman

23.         I would choose a less expensive venue

24.         I should have spent more on the food

25.         I didn’t like my evening entertainment

26.         I would choose a different maid/man of honour

27.         I would spend less on alcohol

28.         I would choose a different colour theme

29.         I would choose to have a bigger ceremony

30.         I should have invited children

31.         I wouldn’t have a free bar

32.         I should have spent more on a better band

33.         I would choose different groomsmen

34.         I shouldn’t have had so much food

35.         I wouldn’t get married in the winter

36.         I wouldn’t get married in the summer

37.         I shouldn’t have bothered with a videographer

38.         I shouldn’t have given gifts to my bridal party/groomsmen

39.         I would choose different groomsmen outfits

40.         I would choose to have the ceremony in a church