What Brides Regret Buying (and What They'd Buy Again)

Thanks so much to the algorithms, the second you’re engaged (and not a heterosexual man), you’re bombarded with wedding content.

Some of it’s helpful, some of it’s just a laundry list of things you “need” to buy. I’ve personally found the it bombarding and tricky to navigate what is actually worth the spend…and from my conversations with friends? They’re feeling the same confusion.

Sooo…I spoke with recent brides about their best and worst purchases. Why? To hopefully help pull back the curtain a bit on what’s a smash and what’s a pass (save those dollars).

Best Purchases

Ella McFadin — “I had these custom made and now the brand sells them. I have worn them lots since my wedding, they are the perfect dressy earring.”

Jordan Paltrow — “My Danielle Frankel wedding dress. It was the one thing I never second guessed, and wearing it made me feel completely like myself. It was also the first gown I tried on! Beyond that, hiring friends instead of strangers wherever we could (our photographer, videographer, planner, and officiant) was the best investment we made. It completely changed the feeling of the weekend.”

Lauren Cannataro Carroll — “Our best purchase was our tattoo artist at our welcome party. We had a stick and poke artist and so many people got tattoos that we never would have expected because they were so small and dainty. It was such a fun personal touch!”

Jordan Rossman — “A facial package at Sia’s Beauty — I’m obsessed with my facialist, Karen, at Sia’s Beauty. She completely transformed by skin for my wedding day, and we began prep about a year out. A package with her kept me consistent (Even on the cold winter days when I didn’t want to leave the house) and it felt like an investment in myself.”

Connar Franklin Carpenter — “1. Numbing spray for feet (I broke my toes on my wedding day & this saved my life), 2. Jimmy Choo heels (changed into these for my reception).”

Ysabel Sullivan — “I have so many favorite purchases, but aside from my dress (vintage from Call Me the Breeze) it would have to be my wedding shoes, they were almost brand new Manolo’s from Poshmark that I got for $100, and I wore them all throughout my wedding season, to my shower, my dress appointments, and all day long on my big day! Bing kitten heel sling-backs, I could run a mile in them and still wear them all the time, even to the office now.”

Rhiannon Rathert — “Red Akris second look dress for rehearsal dinner/welcome party or the skin treatments I did before the wedding (3 MOXI laser treatments, 3 microneedling, Botox, maintenance facials).”

Taylor Bassler — “Probably my after party dress that I only found a few weeks before my wedding! I wanted something different, fun, and easy to dance in. I had a specific vision for a high neck, low back dress and could find the right one. I discovered a bridal designer Alexis Levan, booked an appointment at her NYC showroom, and loved literally every dress I tried on. I found my after party dress here, rush ordered it, and was so happy with this purchase the day of my wedding.”

Worst Purchases