Biggest wedding regrets: How many couples regret the cost?

Whether someone gets cold feet or the couple wishes they hadn’t invited that guy, there usually is at least one wedding regret from the big day.

We surveyed 2,000 Americans who got married between 2021 to 2024 to find out what the average cost of a wedding really is and how the whole day — and all the planning leading up to it — turned out.

When it came down to it, over half of our respondents (52%) told us they spent less than $10,000 on their wedding — but that didn’t stop 10% from regretting that cost the most. Here’s what else we uncovered in our findings.

Key Points:

• 86% said they don’t regret the cost of their wedding, but when we asked what specific regrets couples had, 10% said the total cost was their biggest.
• Over half (54%) of respondents paid for the wedding themselves, and the majority (69%) used cash.
• 20% shared they got cold feet before their big day and even considered canceling the wedding.
• 42% enjoyed their honeymoon more than their bachelorx party, whereas 34% said they enjoyed their bach party more.

Majority of weddings self-funded and paid for in cash

Just over half (54%) of respondents paid for their wedding themselves, and the majority used cash (69%). Other payment methods included credit cards (29%) or a wedding loan (2%). Keep in mind that respondents were able to choose more than one answer for this question, so some used a combination of these methods.

If you’re financially preparing for a wedding right now, cash is one of the best options to avoid excessive debt. However, not everyone has a savings account that’s fully funded for such an occasion. In addition, other payment options might be more sensible for your specific situation.

Using a credit card or taking out a personal loan can be expensive. But if you don’t have the money on hand or won’t have any help from family or friends, these options are worth exploring. Here’s how we suggest deciding between the two:

• Consider a credit card if you aren’t planning to spend much and can pay off the balance in a timely manner. A good way to avoid interest altogether is to apply for a 0% annual percentage rate (APR) credit card. This could give you an introductory period of a whole year or more (depending on the card) to pay off your balance with no interest charges. This can provide a nice financial cushion as you start your life together as a married couple — and maybe even earn you some sweet credit card rewards.
• Consider a wedding loan if you can’t afford to pay off a 0% APR credit card before the introductory period ends. Since credit cards tend to have much higher interest rates than wedding loans, this will help you cut down on the amount you’ll have to pay in interest over time. Just keep in mind that you’ll receive a lump-sum payment, so you’ll have to know exactly how much you need to borrow.

America’s biggest wedding regrets

The surprising news is that 86% of the couples we surveyed didn’t regret the cost of their wedding at all. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that all couples were married during or after the pandemic when costs went down in favor of smaller (and safer) weddings. But when we specifically asked respondents what they did regret, 10% said the price tag.

Other than the cost, the biggest wedding regrets of those surveyed were scheduling (feeling rushed and/or not having enough time to do everything they wanted), the guestlist (both the size and those invited) and the vendors they chose.

Yes, people still get cold feet before their wedding day

Overall, 20% of those surveyed shared that they got cold feet before their wedding and even considered canceling because of it. While not a huge percentage, getting cold feet is still a fairly common feeling for those planning a wedding.

Bach party vs. honeymoon: Which was the most fun?

Partying with friends and family or enjoying time together as newlyweds? There’s no right or wrong answer, but here’s what our survey showed.

Overall, 51% of those surveyed didn’t have a bachelorx party at all. But of those who did, nearly half (42%) of those surveyed enjoyed their honeymoon more than the bach party. But a not-far-behind 34% enjoyed the bach party more. And to round it out: 24% enjoyed both events equally.

So, how long does it take to plan a wedding?

In our survey, 15% of couples said wedding planning was the biggest challenge of all. So, if you’re planning your own wedding and worried about falling behind, knowing about how much time you need (and setting that time aside) can save you some stress.

When asked how long the entire planning process took them, 40% shared that they did all of their wedding planning in less than four months, and 20% said it took them four to six months. Another 24% planned their wedding in 7 to 12 months while only 17% took longer than this. On average, we think it’s safe to say you need up to six months set aside for wedding planning.

How to avoid (some of) that wedding stress

Weddings can be both expensive and stressful. Even all of the planning leading up to the big day can cause added pressure. Here are some simple tips to help you hold onto to your zen — and avoid becoming a bridezilla or groomzilla:

• Start saving ASAP. If you haven’t already, start saving money as soon as you both can. Even if it means postponing the wedding to the next year, not starting your life together underneath piles of debt is worth it. Investing in a high-yield savings account is one of the easiest ways to do this while earning a little extra interest along the way.
• Set a budget and stick to it. This can’t be stressed enough: Before you even consider how you’re going to pay for your dream wedding, you need to create a budget that’s reasonable for you and your partner. Each of you should list out your priorities when it comes to your big day. Make sure you both feel good about where you’re spending your money. Most importantly, see where you might be able to cut corners and save.
• Consider a wedding planner. Hear us out: We know hiring yet another professional for your wedding means more money spent. But if that’s what it takes to reduce stress or save you time, it can be worth it. On average, wedding planners say they dedicate about 77 hours of their time per wedding, and 25% spend 100 hours or more, according to The Knot’s Real Wedding Study. Just think of all the things you could do in 100 hours instead of arguing with a florist or caterer.
• Explore your financing options. You could pay in cash, use a credit card, take out a loan or a combination. But there are also other ways to cover your expenses. For instance, you might see if close family or friends are able to donate cash, time or services to help. You could even ask for cash gifts on your wedding registry to put toward costs. If you do borrow money, make sure to borrow only what you need and pay it back on time — this way, you can avoid starting your marriage with excessive debt.
• Have a payoff plan. Whether you use a credit card to pay for everything or need to take out a loan, just remember not to borrow more than you need — or more than you can realistically pay back. Once the wedding is over, the vendors are paid and all of the receipts are in, sit down together and make a solid plan for paying it all off on time. After all, your marriage deserves to start off on the right foot.