She Strengthens

Wedding Season: Where Budgets Go to Die

As the weather warms up and wedding bells start ringing, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning the perfect celebration. But let’s face it – weddings can be a serious drain on our wallets.

The Hidden Costs of Weddings

From DIY disasters to sneaky expenses, it’s no wonder brides often find themselves blowing their budgets. And when it comes to unexpected costs, the wedding industry seems to have a knack for finding new ways to part us from our hard-earned cash.

Real Brides Share Their Biggest Regrets

I spoke with 10 former brides who shared their biggest wedding regrets – and the one thing they wish they hadn’t splurged on.

The Photo and Video Package That Didn’t Deliver

Kate, a former bride, regretted paying top dollar for a photo and video package that didn’t quite live up to her expectations. “For what we paid, we had higher hopes for the final product,” she said.

The Transportation Trap

Grace learned the hard way that arranging transportation for her guests was a costly mistake. “I felt like a travel agent instead of a bride,” she said. “The rental fees for the shuttles were outrageous, and it was a major source of stress.”

A Dental Disaster

Meredith wished she hadn’t let her fiancé and dentist talk her into getting a costly dental procedure just for the sake of looking perfect in photos. “Moral of the story: you look fine just the way you are,” she said.

The Alteration Nightmare

Patrice fell victim to a common trick at the bridal store – buying a dress that was two sizes too big, only to need costly alterations later on. “I suspect they tell brides this just so we’ll pay more money for alterations down the line,” she said.

Flower Frenzy

Leah’s advice to brides is simple: make your own centerpieces. “Flowers were a huge expense for us,” she said.

The Church Conundrum

Jen was shocked by the high cost of having her ceremony at a church. “It was $1,125 for 35 minutes! The organist, pre-Cana class, and priest’s tip added up quickly,” she said.

Chair Rental Chaos

Michelle still cringes thinking about the $800 she spent on rental chairs for her ceremony. “It was the dumbest decision ever,” she said.

Pinterest-Induced Favors

Lara blames Pinterest for her expensive favor obsession. “I felt like I needed all those mason jars and Etsy treats to be a cool bride,” she said.

Eyelash Extensions Gone Wrong

Rebecca and her wife splurged on eyelash extensions for their wedding, only to regret the $750 cost and the grueling process. “I’m not sure why anyone would voluntarily lie down with their eyes taped shut for two hours,” she said.

The Photo Booth Blunder

Danielle wished she hadn’t felt pressured to have a photo booth at her wedding. “It seemed like the thing to do, but it was a waste of money,” she said.