13 WEDDING EXPENSES MOST COUPLES OVERLOOK
Do you know what should be included in your wedding budget? If you think the cost of the venue, flowers, food, music and photography covers it all, you’re not alone. Most of the time couples only think about the main or more significant costs associated with weddings but there are many other types of fees that are often unknown or overlooked. Here is a list of 13 wedding expenses that couples are frequently unaware of or tend to overlook that should be included in your budget.
Photo: Kyle London Photography
Tips & Gratuities: While you may have budgeted for your vendors’ fees, don’t forget about tips & gratuities to show your appreciation for their service and/or exceeding your expectations. From the photographer, to the service staff, to the musicians, to the hair and makeup team, to your shuttle driver and more. Consider setting aside a portion of your budget for tips associated with your vendors.
Wedding Insurance: Wedding insurance is an often-overlooked aspect of wedding planning. While no one wants to think about potential mishaps, unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather, illness, or vendor cancellations can disrupt your plans. Wedding insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind. Consider including wedding insurance as part of your budget as a precaution.
Pre-Wedding Events: Engagement parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and rehearsal dinners are common pre-wedding events that can add to your overall wedding expenses. People often forget to budget for these gatherings, including the cost of the venue or restaurant rental, decorations, food, beverages, and travel costs. Plan ahead and allocate funds for pre-wedding events to avoid any financial surprises.
Beauty and Grooming Services: Looking your best on your wedding day often involves professional hair styling, makeup, and grooming services. These costs can quickly add up, particularly if you plan to include the bridal party as well. Don't forget to budget for hair and makeup trials, bridal party services, nail appointments, spa days, or any other beauty services you may need prior to the wedding day.
Postage and Shipping: Invitations, save-the-dates, and thank-you notes are all essential elements of wedding communication. However, couples frequently overlook the costs of postage and shipping. Account for the postage fees for sending out invitations and any shipping costs associated with personalized favors or items for out-of-town guests.
Overtime Charges: Once the reception is in full swing you may decide you want to keep the party going beyond the contracted time. Keep in mind that if you decide to extend your venue rental you also need to add on additional time for your DJ, catering, or other services which will likely result in overtime charges. Be sure to clarify overtime policies with each vendor to avoid any surprises.
Childcare: If on-site childcare is something you think you may need to assist with keeping kids entertained during your wedding, you might want to include a budget for a childcare service. While not always necessary, it should be a topic of discussion early on if you have several young children attending. On-site childcare provides parents with the opportunity to enjoy the wedding while their children are looked after by a professional nanny service - giving the parents a well deserved break. Consider allocating some of your budget towards a childcare service if you feel you and your guests will have a better exprience by doing so.
Marriage License Fees: While the focus of a wedding is on the ceremony and the celebration that follows, couples often forget about the legal aspects. Marriage license and certificate fees vary by location so be sure to research and include these costs in your budget to ensure a smooth and legal marriage.
Parking & Transportation Fees: While you’re focused on getting yourselves to the ceremony and reception, don’t forget about your guests. Providing transportation or covering parking fees for your guests can be an unexpected expense especially if your venue charges for parking or they need to valet their car. If your venue doesn’t provide space for guests to park, you may need to allocate some of your budget towards a shuttle service to get everyone there safely and on time and returned back to their hotel or house rental at the end of the night.
Gifts & Favors: Showing appreciation to your wedding party or guests often involves purchasing gifts and favors, whether it’s a token of thanks for standing by your side or a memento for attending your special day. Allocate a portion of your budget for these thoughtful gestures.
Restrooms: In some cases, renting a restroom trailer may be necessary depending on your venue and guest count. Some venues may not have restrooms available onsite or require you to use a restroom trailer if you have a high guest count. Restroom trailers, especially for outdoor or large weddings provide a higher level of comfort and cleanliness for guests and offer a more upscale option than traditional portable restrooms.
Lighting: It may not be known in the beginning stages of wedding planning but once you determine your venue you will want to be sure the venue provides adequate lighting in all the areas you plan to use. Not only does lighting transform your event creating a beautiful and inviting atmosphere it is essential for safety and to ensure your guests and vendors are able to see clearly once the sun sets. This is especially crucial for outdoor weddings in remote locations.
Cake Cutting Services: Cake cutting fees are a common yet unexpected expense. Many venues charge for cutting and serving the cake so it's important to factor that into your overall budget. You will want to clarify this with your venue or caterer as you get further along into the details.
While weddings are joyous occasions, they can also be financially overwhelming if not planned carefully leading to stress during the wedding planning process and your relationship. By taking into account these commonly overlooked expenses, you can create a more realistic and comprehensive budget for your wedding.
A well-prepared budget will help you navigate the wedding planning process easier and allow you to enjoy your wedding day to the fullest. As always, we are here to help make your wedding planning journey seamless and stress-free. If you need help creating your budget or have questions about other fees to look out for you contact us for a free consultation!
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