Having Wedding Dress Regret? Here's How to Handle It

2025 bride Sarah L. never expected that she'd experience wedding dress regret, but now, just months away from her nuptials, she's worried she may have to walk down the aisle in a dress she no longer loves. Let's back up a bit.

Like many nearlyweds, Sarah believed that when the right dress came around, she'd know it. But after trying on countless dresses in front of her entourage, she had yet to experience that "aha" moment. Eventually, she resorted to wedding dress shopping alone with hopes that limiting outside opinions would help narrow her search. "After two solo appointments, I finally just chose one," she recalls. Almost immediately, the buyer's remorse kicked in. "I felt like I made the decision just to get the process over with," she says.

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Now, we're not trying to scare you (promise). Instead, we want to reassure you that, if you're experiencing wedding dress regret, you're not alone. Sarah's predicament is a lot more common than you might think. Because of that, we spoke with wedding dress experts Maryna Yudina, manager of Crystal Bridal Boutique, and Alysia Cole, bridal stylist and content creator, for advice. Keep scrolling to find out what they say to do if you're secondguessing your wedding wardrobe choices.

In this article:

• Common Wedding Dress Regrets
• How to Avoid Getting Wedding Dress Regret
• I Hate My Wedding Dress–What Can I Do?
• Can You Return a Wedding Dress?

Photo: Stocksy

Common Wedding Dress Regrets

If you've found yourself searching "wedding dress regret" on Reddit to see if other brides are experiencing the same thing, you're not alone. According to Yudina, "it's a growing phenomenon that reflects the changing dynamics of wedding planning in our modern era." But just what factors can lead brides to second guess their chosen styles? Below, we break down a few of the biggest wedding dress regrets.

Choosing a Style That's Too Trendy

Wedding dress trends come and go. What's in style now might not be in a few months' time. Now, following trends isn't a bad thing per se, but the problem is, when brides choose a dress simply because it's "in", and not because it aligns with their personal style, they are more likely to regret their decision once the trends inevitably change.

Choosing a Dress That Doesn't Fit Right

An ill-fitting dress is almost always grounds for regret. If it's too tight, it might restrict you on the dance floor. If it's too loose, it might look unflattering in photos. The fit of a dress can drastically change its look, and in turn, it will impact the way a bride feels about it.

Choosing a Dress That's Just Not "You"

"I have encountered several instances of dress regret which stemmed from external influences rather than the bride's true desires," Yudina reveals. "For example, one bride faced pressure from her entourage to choose a gown that was deemed 'the best' despite her initial love for a different dress. Unfortunately, this led to her feeling dissatisfied with her choice."

How to Avoid Getting Wedding Dress Regret

Good news: There are plenty of ways to ensure you won't regret the wedding dress you choose. Here's what the experts advise:

Don't Purchase Your Dress Too Early

"I don't recommend purchasing your dress more than 2 years out from your wedding," says Cole. 12 to 18 months before the big day is what she considers to be the sweet spot. "Anything too much earlier than that you're witnessing about four bridal seasons cycle through which is enough to see trends change or to see a new dress that really catches your eye," she adds. Check out our helpful wedding dress shopping timeline for more tips on when to buy your dress.

Limit Your Options

Choice fatigue is a very real phenomenon when shopping for a wedding dress. "I recommend limiting the amount of stores you visit and focusing on trying on only the gowns that genuinely resonate with you, rather than exploring every available style," says Yudina. "Over time, many gowns may begin to blend together, leading to even more confusion."

Stick to Your True Size

Like any other article of clothing, wedding dresses are made to fit you, not the other way around. It might be tempting to order a dress a few sizes too small or large with hopes of fitting into it by your wedding day, but that's far too risky. Not only would you be putting a tremendous amount of pressure on you and your body, but you'd also be running the risk of having a dress that doesn't fit. Instead, opt for your true size when ordering a gown, and attend a wedding dress fitting a few months prior to the big day.

Trust Your Gut

"Now more than ever there is a general feeling of 'but what if there's something better out there?' And while that question can be helpful if you haven't found something you love yet, I've also seen it rob nearlyweds of joy during their dress shopping," explains Cole. "If you find a dress that you love, that makes you feel how you want to feel, and it's at your price point and can be delivered in time, then you found your dress and you don't have to keep looking!"

Don't Overthink It

"Avoid going home to reconsider your gown, as this can diminish your initial excitement and lead you to start the process over," Yudina advises. "Once you place your order, try to refrain from revisiting the pictures you took in the store, and limit your exposure to the Instagram feed filled with new styles. By following this guidance, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing dress regret."

Work With a Stylist

As it turned out, Sarah didn't need an entirely new wedding dress, she just needed a new perspective on the one she bought. She worked 1:1 with a wedding stylist to get help accessorizing. "We talked through how we could make sure the entire outfit, not just the dress, feel like me," she explains. "Their focus on the look overall really helped me switch the way I was thinking about my wedding look, and that reframing has saved me the stress of trying to find another dress." Psst: You can use The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find a stylist in your area.

Photo: Stocksy

I Hate My Wedding Dress–What Can I Do?

First off: Don't panic. The dress of your dreams is still well within reach. Follow these expert tips to help combat your feelings of regret:

Contact the Wedding Dress Salon

First and foremost, you'll need to assess your options. Contact the bridal salon that you bought your dress from and explain your situation (nicely and calmly, of course–remember, you've likely signed a contract, so this goes beyond simply changing your mind). They'll be able to walk you through all your available options. Remember that every store has a different policy, so there's no guarantee you'll be able to exchange or return your dress.

Take a Trip to the Tailor

If returning or exchanging your gown is not an option, the next step would be to consider wedding dress alterations. You can bring your gown to a reputable seamstress and walk them through what you don't like. It's possible your dress just doesn't fit you properly (which can make more of a difference than you'd think). Otherwise, the seamstress can make suggestions and tweaks (remove a little lace here, bring the sleeves up there or soften the silhouette) to transform the original garment.

Add Accessories

As Sarah discovered while working with a stylist, you should never underestimate the power of wedding dress accessories. A shimmering bridal belt or a pretty lace topper can completely transform the look of a gown. Of course, you can't forget the wedding veil (or veil alternative). Your dress might not be your dream dress, but you can make up for it with a dream headpiece.

Give Your Gown Another Chance

"I most often see dress regret start in between the time a nearlywed has purchased the gown and when it's come in, so it's been a while since they've actually tried the dress on," Cole explains. "I can solve dress regret about half the time just by getting my client into that sample dress again." According to Cole, seeing their gown on often reminds brides of why they said "yes" to it in the first place!

Buy a Reception Dress You Love

We know what you're thinking: Buy an additional dress? Yeah, right. Just hear us out. You don't have to shell out a ton of money for this second party frock. After the ceremony and a few formal photos, you'll look forward to changing into the reception dress of your dreams.

Can You Return a Wedding Dress?

In most cases, custom and made-to-order wedding gowns cannot be returned, since they are made specifically for you using your unique measurements. "While this can be disappointing, it underscores the importance of making a decision that aligns with your heart," says Yudina. Ready-to-wear gowns, on the other hand, can sometimes be returned, depending on the store's policy. Be sure to check the fine print when purchasing a wedding dress online.

Wedding Dress Return Policy FYIs

If you're purchasing your gown from one of these online retailers, here's some return and exchange info you'll want to be aware of:

• Anthropologie: Anthropologie accepts returns made within 30 days of delivery. Wedding gowns are subject to a restocking fee if returned, plus applicable taxes. The fee will be deducted from the refund once the return is processed.
• Azazie: Azzazie accepts returns for standard size dresses and most accessories within 30 days of delivery. Custom size dresses are excluded from return eligibility.
• Birdy Grey: Birdy Grey accepts returns made within 30 days of delivery. You can drop your order off at a local Happy Returns station to receive an instant refund.
• David's Bridal: David's Bridal accepts returns made within 30 days of delivery. All returns and exchanges must be in their original condition—unworn, unwashed, unaltered, undamaged, clean, and free of lint and hair. Merchandise must be in its original packaging with all tags attached or cellophane wrap/seals (not including plastic dress bags) intact. Once any tag has been removed, an item cannot be returned.
• Lulus: Lulus accepts returns made within 21 days of delivery. Items must be in new, original condition with all vendor tags attached and must not be worn, used, altered, or washed. Returned items are subject to a $2 restocking fee.