5 Things I Would Change About My Own Wedding
I’ve always adored planning weddings—the process of bringing together thoughtful details, creating atmosphere, and seeing everything come to life on the day. My own wedding was no exception. It was a joy to plan, full of love and excitement. Now, with over a decade of professional experience behind me, if I were to plan my wedding again today, there are a few things I would approach differently.
Chris and I were married on 24th May 2014. Our day began with a beautiful church ceremony and continued with a marquee reception at my family home. It was everything I wanted and planned—elegant, personal, and completely reflective of me. I planned every detail with my mum, and we poured so much care into each decision. Looking back, there is so much I still love about it. But with the benefit of experience, there are a few things I would do a little differently.
Here are five decisions I’d approach differently—and some honest advice to help you avoid the same mistakes.
Not hiring a videographer
We chose not to have a videographer. At the time, we wanted to spend our day fully present with our guests, not posing for cameras, this is not something I regret. But the day goes by in a blur. I’d give anything now to watch it all back. Especially my father’s speech, which I can never hear again.
If a full video feels too much, at least record the speeches. Have someone capture them with a high-quality camera so you can listen back to every word.
A formal top table
We followed tradition. Parents, us in the middle, best man, maid of honour. It felt right then. But in practice, it felt quite isolating. We found ourselves constantly leaving the table to speak to guests. Those seated at the ends had little company.
If I could do it again, I’d sit with friends. I’d seat our parents with their friends. More relaxed, more sociable, more enjoyable. Think about the kind of experience you want to have during your wedding breakfast—then plan seating to match.
Not listening to my husband
I planned the wedding with my mum, and I was very much the bride in charge. Chris, who had actually been to more weddings than I had, had ideas I dismissed. A more relaxed seating plan. Ceiling décor in the marquee. Both ideas I now agree with.
Remember, it’s your day as a couple. Even if your partner doesn’t share your vision exactly, their input might surprise you. Share the planning. You might discover the perfect idea hiding in their suggestions.
No clear finish time
We didn’t set a carriages time. The idea of partying until we were ready to stop sounded perfect. In reality, we danced until 5am. Wonderful in theory, but tough in practice. Guests were unsure when to leave. Suppliers didn’t know when to wrap up.
Leaving on a high is underrated. Having a clear end point helps everyone. You’ll remember the energy of the final song—not the feeling of it slowly winding down.
No ceiling décor
We had 250 guests in a 24m-long marquee. It was a big space. At the time, I thought the height of the table arrangements was enough. It wasn’t. In the photos, the ceiling looks vast and empty.
Ceiling installations—floral chandeliers, birch trees, fabric draping—make a huge impact. I now advise my couples to dedicate a portion of their floral budget to a large statement feature. It transforms the space and gives you that wow factor.
If you're planning your own wedding and want to hear more about the decisions behind each of these points, listen to me talk about it on The Wedding Lounge podcast. It’s a candid, honest look at what I’d do differently—and why.
Planning a wedding isn’t about perfection. It’s about making the best choices you can with the information you have. Hopefully, my reflections help you feel more confident in your own decisions, times change and trends change and regardless of any regrets you may have years later, the day will still be magical.
