Wedding Dress Regret: One in three brides regret the bridal gown they pick, as experts reveal why

Arguably the biggest decision to make for a wedding is the bride‘s dress.

Many brides-to-be ponder the decision from childhood all the way until the moment of purchase – and even then, there may be a change of heart.

But the issue seems to be much more widespread than first realised, with a whopping 30 per cent of brides regretting the look they will be immortalised in forever in their wedding pictures.

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A survey conducted by Glamour UK revealed that almost one in three women would change their wedding dress of they could.

So that you don’t repeat the same mistakes, the expert designers at JJ’s House – an e-retailer offering stylish dresses, shoes, and accessories for weddings and many other occasions – have shared the most common errors they have witnessed.

1. Not considering how hot it will really be

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Many brides fall victim to the fact that while their dream dress looks amazing, after hours of preparation, photos, dancing, and nervousness, the gown can feel pretty heavy.

“Our team hears it all the time: ‘I didn’t realise how heavy it would feel after two hours,'” a lead designer at JJ’s House shared.

“Fabrics like satin or brocade look gorgeous, but in summer heat or beach humidity, they can turn your dream day into a sticky mess.

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“If you’re not comfortable, it shows on your face and in every photo,” they warned.

2. Only looking at the dress from the front

In this case, the back of your dress is everyone’s business, with many guests seeing more of the back of you than the front on your big day.

“Brides spend hours analysing the front view, but forget that their guests – and the camera – will mostly see the back,” one designer said, adding that “more than 60% of wedding photos feature the bride from the side or back – walking, dancing, hugging.”

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The back of the dress can reveal unsightly details, from bunching zippers to unflattering strap placement, but one step can help catch these issues before they become much bigger problems.

“We always tell clients: the back matters just as much,” with stylists urging brides to film themselves in motion to ensure they “feel beautiful from every angle – not just when you’re posing.”

3. Not considering the logistics of their decision

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There is one odd question stylists will ask brides before anything else: Where are you getting married?

Believe it or not, the venue plays a huge factor in the type of dress you should get.

“It’s like choosing shoes before knowing the terrain,” one stylist explained, “You fall in love with a dramatic train, then realise your venue has a dirt aisle and zero dressing space.

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“A ballroom calls for different drama than a barn or rooftop. The gown should echo the space – it’s part of the visual story.”

4. Going with the trends

There is no end to the number of options of dresses available, nor is there an end to the opinions people have on them.

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Getting carried away with trends could be a big mistake, with stylists urging brides to pick a gown that best suits them.

“Just because it’s viral doesn’t mean it’s bridal for you,” one shared, “We’ve had brides fall for puff sleeves or sheer corsets because they’re all over TikTok, then second-guess everything a week later.

“Trends pass. Your wedding photos won’t. The best dress is the one that feels like you, whether it’s minimalist or maximalist.”

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Overall, the experts say that saying “yes” to the dress is about much more than how you look in it.

“The biggest mistakes aren’t about style – they’re about strategy,” the stylists say.

“A wedding day is long, emotional, and often unpredictable, so it’s crucial to consider how the dress will perform across every setting and moment.

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“The brides who feel most confident aren’t necessarily the ones in the trendiest gowns –they’re the ones who made practical, thoughtful choices that supported them throughout the day.

“That’s what saying yes should really mean.”

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