September 9, 2019
Expecting the Unexpected (in Wedding Costs)
(PC: Real Simple)
It’s no secret that a wedding is a big financial investment. It can take a lot to feed and entertain all your family and friends while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing and fun environment. Although there are plenty of budgeting resources and lists out there, you may still find yourself running into unexpected costs and spending more than you budgeted for. To help you avoid any surprises, here’s a list of nine things you’ll definitely want to add to your wedding budget if you haven’t already.
1. Rings
(PC: Style Me Pretty)
Your wedding rings play a feature role in your ceremony, and you’ll be wearing them for the rest of your life. While the prices vary depending on you and your fiancé’s taste, it’s helpful to include the rings in your budget as you’ll be ordering them at the same time you’re making other wedding purchases.
2. Postage
(PC: Oh So Beautiful Paper)
Invitation suites often include multiple pieces like the invitation, directions, and RSVP card. Depending on the style and weight of your invitations, the cost of postage may exceed a single standard stamp. Check with your Invitation Designer and post office to see how much postage you’ll need per invitation, and multiply that by the number of people you’re inviting to see check how much it’ll cost!
1. Paper Items
(PC: Oh So Beautiful Paper)
While you’ve probably had your save-the-dates and invitation suites picked out for a while, it’s easy to forget about the printed products you may want for your ceremony and reception. If you’re planning to have programs, escort cards, menus, or other printed items, keep in mind that these can quickly add up. Like most of your wedding purchases, these items are priced based on your guest count which will help you anticipate the end cost.
4. Vendor Meals
(PC: ColorsBridesmaid)
Some of your vendors will be working 8+ hours on your wedding day, so it’s really appreciated when you provide them with a meal during the event. These meals will be part of your catering package, so talk with your caterers to make sure you have the right number of meals to feed guests and vendors included! Pricing for these meals is typically less than the cost for your guests, but it’s still helpful to be mindful of the cost.
5. Gratuities
(PC: The Garter Girl)
Gratuities are a great way to thank your vendors for all of their hard work on your wedding day. These normally aren’t included in your contracts, so they need to be accounted for separately. If you plan to give gratuities based on a percentage, you can calculate these values once you receive vendor proposals and then simply adjust them as you finalize your contracts. This way you’re thinking about gratuities during the planning process rather than suddenly tacking on another expense the week of your wedding.
6. Bridal Party Gifts
(PC: The Brides Style)
From matching necklaces to personalized flasks, there are so many options when it comes to bridal party gifts. Once you’ve decided on your bridal party and the fun tokens you want to give out, you can easily start calculating how much it would cost for gifts.
7. Alterations
(PC: Artful Tailoring)
Whether it’s a wedding dress or suit, wedding clothing is often going to cost you more than the initial purchase price. The cost of alterations will vary depending on how much customization you’re looking for, but you can talk with your seamstress for an estimate. Also, if you’re planning to store a wedding dress, be sure to look into how much it’ll cost to have it professionally cleaned after your wedding day.
8. Hair & Makeup Trials
(PC: Martha Stewart Weddings)
If you’re hiring someone to do hair and makeup, you’ll likely schedule one or more trial runs with the artist(s) to test different styles and perfect your desired look. These trial sessions are typically priced in addition to the day-of services, so that’s important to know when budgeting for these vendors!
9. Favors
(PC: NaturalHoneyBee)
Wedding favors are a great way to incorporate a personal touch into your wedding while thanking your guests for being a part of your special day. Whether you choose a simple keepsake or an elaborate dessert, the cost of favors can quickly add up depending on your guest count. Once you’ve finalized your guest list, you can see just how much those mini bottles of champagne will cost!
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Bonus Tip: You can always include an extra sum of money that isn’t designated for anything, and that way you have a safety net should you discover an unexpected expense! Hopefully, this article will help you plan well and be confident that your budget is all-inclusive!
(Featured PC: 1843 Magazine)