Poor budgeting, not spending enough on a decent photographer, and even opting for a free bar also featured in the top 40 list of regrets.

While almost four in ten (38 percent) felt overwhelmed by the cost of their wedding, a fifth (20 percent) had to make cutbacks due to spiralling costs.

The honeymoon was the most common item couples decided to save cash on, with just under one in three (31 percent) slashing their spend on a romantic getaway.

Other cutbacks include reducing the number of wedding guests (26 percent), the venue (24 percent), and decorations (23 percent).

Sally Conway, head of consumer communications at Shawbrook Bank Personal Loans, which commissioned the research, said: “The wedding day is one of the most special moments of a couple’s lives – but it’s also one of the most expensive.

“That’s why it’s essential to factor in plenty of time to make it both a personal and financial success.

“Planning early enough and using budgeting tips to manage the various costs is one way to help couples pivot a step closer to achieving their dream day.”

Over a third (37 percent) regret the amount of money they spent, with 50 percent having had received financial help from their family.

And while 33 percent accepted help from their partner’s family, a fifth (19 percent) used savings and an eighth (12 percent) took out a personal loan.

Wedding planner Rianna Elizabeth added: “While the early planning stages can feel overwhelming, the good news is that there are techniques and ways to help steer your wedding planning in the right direction.

“Set yourselves a timeline and running order to keep you on track in the lead up to your big day too.

“It’s important to work out your priorities as a couple – if there are then certain compromises you need to make to save costs, it will become clearer which elements to cut back on.

“Wedding planning is a really exciting time, so it’s important to remember to enjoy the process!”

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also revealed that a third (37 percent) said they would go smaller if they were to have their big day again.

Facilitating more guests, choice of catering and the wedding party’s outfits were among the top things people would spend less on a second time round.

But despite their regrets, 47 percent still felt had their “dream day”.

And almost half (44 percent) didn’t have to make any cutbacks – with 47 percent of respondents able to stick to their budget.

Sally Conway added: “Creating a budget in the early stages can help work out your priorities and keep overspending in check.

“It’s important to establish your total wedding fund early on – whether made up from current savings, future savings, family contributions or potential lending options – then you can estimate the costs of each element based on your priorities as a couple.

“We hope these learnings from married couples who have planned a wedding previously, will help newly engaged couples work out their spending priorities.

“While the budgeting process can sometimes feel daunting, we want to help arm a future wave of couples with the right tools to budget and plan effectively, so they can take a step closer to achieving their dream day and start off marriage on the right financial foot.”

Shawbrook Bank Personal Loans has created a dedicated hub of information to help couples with budgeting for their big day, and are running a competition asking engaged couples to share their best budgeting tips for the chance to win a £1000 gift voucher.

To find out more, visit here.

TOP 40 WEDDING REGRETS:

1. I didn’t spend enough time with guests
2. I worried about the little things too much
3. I got stressed and didn’t enjoy the day enough
4. I tried too hard to please the guests – rather than myself
5. I would choose a nicer venue
6. I spent too much money
7. I would choose a different wedding outfit
8. I would choose to have a smaller ceremony
9. I would choose a different hairstyle
10. I should have spent more on a videographer
11. I should have invited less people
12. I would choose a different location for the venue (city, town, village or country)
13. I invited too many distant relatives
14. I didn’t plan enough beforehand
15. I should have invited more people
16. I wish I’d spent more money to make it special
17. Not budgeting properly
18. I should have gotten a videographer
19. I would choose different bridesmaids outfits
20. I would choose different flowers
21. I would choose different bridesmaids
22. I would choose a different best man/woman
23. I would choose a less expensive venue
24. I should have spent more on the food
25. I didn’t like my evening entertainment
26. I would choose a different maid/man of honour
27. I would spend less on alcohol
28. I would choose a different colour theme
29. I would choose to have a bigger ceremony
30. I should have invited children
31. I wouldn’t have a free bar
32. I should have spent more money on a better band
33. I would choose different groomsmen
34. I shouldn’t have had so much food
35. I wouldn’t get married in the winter
36. I wouldn’t get married in the summer
37. I shouldn’t have bothered with a videographer
38. I shouldn’t have given gifts to my bridal party/groomsmen
39. I would choose different groomsmen outfits
40. I would choose to have the ceremony in a church