At one point or another, every bride has felt it. Wedding Guilt. It might be a fear that you may have left someone out, or that you are taking advantage of people who have offered to help with the wedding. But we’re here with a simple truth: wedding guilt is normal. So how do you overcome it so that you can make the most of this special occasion? Here are the 12 most common decisions that can cause wedding guilt, and why you shouldn’t feel bad for making them!
Avoid Wedding Guilt: Don't Feel Bad About These Decisions
There are so many small details in the big decisions that come with planning a wedding. Not everyone is going to understand or agree with every decision you make. It's okay to choose what you want, even if someone else doesn't agree with it. Remind yourself that this day is about what you and your fiancé! So shake off that wedding guilt, and plan the celebration of your dreams.
1) Accepting Financial Assistance
Finances are a hot topic when it comes to wedding planning - but it needs to be talked about. For starters, don't feel ashamed if your parents or in-laws are helping you foot the bill. It's not anyone else's business as far as who is paying for what. Don't feel guilty when it comes time to discuss a budget, or for accepting help.
You're not forcing anyone to pitch in, and you're also welcome to deny assistance. Know that the people who are offering help are doing it because they care about you both. When it comes to your personal budget, it is your business and your business alone. So spend the money you feel comfortable spending, and don't let anyone make you feel guilty.
2) Hosting a Small Wedding
Wedding size is a personal decision. Not everyone wants to invite 500 guests they barely know. In fact, intimate weddings are becoming increasingly popular. Some couples only want the immediate family to attend. Or, your dream venue may only accommodate up to 50 people. Perhaps your budget only allows for a small gathering.
Regardless of the reason, trust that it will be as beautiful as any large event! If naysayers feel the need to express that you should invite more or specific people, ignore them. Your family and friends will respect your decision to have an intimate wedding.
3) Who You Do & Don't Ask to be a Bridesmaid

4) Choosing to Have a Big Wedding

5) Having (Or Not Having) a Bachelorette Party
The tradition of having a bachelorette party has become somewhat of an expectation. And it's just as fun for your friends as it is for you! So don’t feel bad when they want to throw you an unforgettable bash. Wedding guilt can come in all shapes and forms, including when it comes to other events in commitments that coincide with a wedding. Allow your friends to plan you a girl's night out and simply enjoy it for what it is.
On the same note, if a bachelorette party isn't your cup of tea - don't feel pressured to have one! You can enjoy a laid back get together with some of your friends or skip it altogether. Remember, it's completely up to you when it comes to your wedding celebrations!
6) Limiting Guest Plus Ones

Most brides would love to invite everyone they know and give them all a plus one. But for most couples that is not doable. Your venue can only hold so many guests, and your budget can only accommodate a certain number of people. Sooner or later you will need to start cutting down your list and the plus ones are usually the first to go. Keep it simple! Guests who are married, engaged, or in long-term relationships should be the first to get a plus one.
7) Getting Married Before Your Friends
8) Receiving Wedding Gifts
9) Being Excited About Your Wedding!
It’s easy to get wrapped up in and feel overwhelmed during the wedding planning process. So it's understandable that you may want to let off some steam by discussing the details or vent about any challenger. It can be so helpful to verbally process this journey with the special people in your life. Don’t feel bad about your wedding coming up regularly in conversation. However, if you notice your friends or family starting to get bored by the conversation, it might be time to switch it up a bit.
10) Not Inviting Children to Your Wedding
Whether or not to invite children to your wedding can be a hot topic for couples. Do you invite everyone in a family? Do you leave children off the invite list? In the past, couples may have felt obligated to invite children, but adult-only weddings are on the rise. If that's what you choose to do, don't feel bad that some guests will need to hire a babysitter. If anything, they may enjoy an evening out that's kid-free. On the other hand, you should prepare for newer parents to opt-out of the event. And for those with younger kids to dip out early. While they will be happy to celebrate your event, they have big commitments waiting at home.
11) Asking for Wedding Planning Help
There’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding and sometimes you need help. There's plenty of work to do: selecting centerpieces, invitation stuffing, and so much more. Don’t feel ashamed to ask for help from your bridesmaids, friends, and family.
In fact, most people feel like it is an honor to be included in the process, as it means that you want and appreciate their input. Granted, if there is too much work for you and your crew to handle, you might want to consider hiring a wedding planner.
12) Breaking Away from Wedding 'Traditions'
Don't Let Wedding Guilt Get You Down!
We hope that this list allows you to enjoy the wedding planning process with less guilt. It's your day, and in the end, all that matters is you and your fiance's happiness. So rock that non-traditional wedding frock and enjoy being doted on while it lasts! Tell us about something you've found yourself feeling guilty about in the comments below. How did you handle the situation?
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Feeling guilty about asking your friends to pay for bridesmaid dresses? At Kennedy Blue, we offer high quality, affordable bridesmaid dresses. Check out our blog to learn how to tackle bridesmaid dress shopping as an informed buyer, to get the best bang for your buck!
is so real. I feel like I hardly talk to anyone lately because the only thing I have to talk about is either Covid- 19 or my wedding, and everyone is sick of hearing about both. So I just don’t. It’s a super awful and guilty feeling.
Thank you! I needed to hear this!
This surely helps! Thanks!
Super helpful! Planning a wedding can be so stressful, especially with all the current events!
Feeling super guilty about wanting to change my wedding…. I don’t want anything big…. we originally invited 70 but now I feel like I want to elope…
I’m trying not to feel guilty about asking others for help. Although I’d like a small wedding, they’re still expensive, and I’ve needed to ask for financial help from family members. I keep reminding myself they’re happy to help, and they want to see me have a good wedding.
We are already getting grief about plus ones and the save the dates haven’t even been sent!
I’m trying not to feel guilty about having a smaller wedding. I’m actually considering streaming it live. Thoughts?
I’ve been feeling guilty about not having a big wedding because we can’t afford it but this helped eased my guilt.
I have been feeling guilty about not throwing a big wedding and inviting everyone. However, we just can’t afford it. This was really nice to read and to help ease my guilt.