No matter how meticulously you colour-code your spreadsheets, rehearse timelines or curate mood boards months in advance, weddings have a way of humbling even the most organised bride. Something will run late. A detail will look different in real life. A plan you obsessed over may barely be noticed. And that’s okay. Perfection, as it turns out, is rarely the point. Often, it’s the little things that spiral. Florals that looked lush in mood boards but feel sparse in a cavernous venue, candles that melt faster than expected in an outdoor ceremony or a menu designed for the ‘Gram rather than satisfy. Some brides admit to overspending on statement outfit that photographs beautifully but adds little to the shoes. Others wish they had simplified the itinerary instead of packing the day with back-to-back moments.
We spoke to three real brides about the mistakes they made and what they wish someone had told them sooner. Consider this your insider guide to sidestepping the stress on your big day.
Don’t Leave Your Guest List On Autopilot
Alekha Advani Jain married actor Aadar Jain in a larger-than-life, star-studded celebration in February 2025 that quickly became one of the most talked-about weddings of the season. Looking back, Alekha says the guest list deserved more of her personal touch. “I wish I had paid some more attention to my guest list,” she admits. “I wish I called friends and family up myself too, while the invites were sent out and my parents did the needful.” With a compressed planning timeline, the logistics took over. “The wedding was planned in such a short span of time. I wasn’t able to because I was swamped with many wedding planning items on the checklist.” She recalls constantly juggling vendors, fittings and schedules. “I wanted to personally speak to each of my loved ones and add that extra layer of personal touch.” Her advice is simple. Make time for the calls. “I wish I had more time to invite them on my and my husband’s list.”
Don’t Skip A Comfortable Backup Outfit
For Alekha, style met reality at her mehndi. “One thing I would want to advise brides about is to always pack an extra change of clothes and shoes for the after-party or post-event gatherings that looks festive but also feels comfortable.” Her celebration ran long. “After my mehndi, it was a very long, albeit fun, night.” The mistake was assuming the second look would be lighter. “My change was heavier and more uncomfortable than my actual mehndi look by Itrh.” In hindsight, she recommends thinking beyond photographs. Choose something you can move in. Pack shoes you can stand in. Comfort, she says, is not optional once the music starts.
Don’t Obsess Over Things Not In Your Control
Bride Rhea Kapoor’s Marrakech wedding was not only defined by fashion, music and personal touches, but also by an unpredictable weather forecast. “When we first finalised our dates, we tracked the forecast obsessively and it showed clear skies.” As the celebrations approached, rain crept in. “Every day felt like a growing challenge.” On the morning of her second event, it poured. “Just as we were about to begin, it started raining, delaying the event by an hour.” With so much planned outdoors, panic was inevitable. Her advice is simple. “We had a backup in place. The party began in an alternate location and in hindsight, it unfolded exactly as it was meant to” she says. “I realised I had spent so much time stressing over something uncontrollable and it didn’t take away from the experience at all.”
Don’t Choose Your Team Just For Convenience Alone
When planning her destination wedding, Rhea initially opted for logistical ease. “We initially worked with a local Moroccan planner and decorator as a one stop shop.” But with the guidance of my husband Guntash’s sister, Sasha Grewal, it became clear something was off. “We soon realised there was a big gap in creative alignment and budget transparency. We made the difficult but necessary decision to change teams just five months before the wedding.” Bringing in Silhouette Events shifted everything. “They intuitively understood our sensibility and executed our vision.” Her advice to couples planning destination weddings is clear. “Prioritise creative alignment, budget transparency and trust over logistical convenience. Having teams who are well versed in supporting brides, not just professionally but with empathy and emotional intelligence, is incredibly important.”
Don’t Let A Strict Schedule Control Your Day
Social media influencer Prerna Mehra, popularly known as @thegirlinskyhighheels on Instagram, saw her wedding go viral for all the right reasons. Behind the seamless visuals, however, she admits she was tightly wound around timelines. “I’m super particular about following a schedule, and I was an obsessively punctual bride. I really stressed over the timings we put up of each ritual and function on the initial invite.” Looking back, she realised it was misplaced anxiety. “It didn’t matter because it was a destination wedding. It was more about the teams being aligned with it than what was mentioned on the digital invite.” Her conclusion is candid. “It definitely was not worth the fight.” The lesson is let the day breathe.
Don’t Just Invest In Ornate Bridal Jewellery
Prerna curated a diverse jewellery collection for her celebrations. “I did a gold set, a contemporary diamond set and I worked a lot with tourmaline.” The bridal looks were distinct and deliberate. Yet she reflects on longevity. “I wish I had also invested in everyday jewellery pieces that I could have worn and cherished even on a daily basis.” She names specifics. “Perhaps a ruby cuff, tennis bracelet or an emerald statement ring.” While the grand sets delivered impact, she now sees value differently. “I wish I had not just invested in grand pieces but also on everyday, delicate pieces.” Her advice is practical. Balance statement heirlooms with designs you will reach for long after the wedding.
