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INTRODUCTION
Everyone talks about the wedding's beauty, charm, and excitement and how expensive these events can be. However, even when setting a budget, few people discuss all the unexpected expenses that can add up and explode your budget expectations. I created a blog post about lessons I learned from my wedding budget, but preparing for unexpected expenses can help you improve your budget planning, save money, and build a better financial future. In this guide, we'll explore the hidden costs that can sneak up on you during wedding planning and provide tips to help you confidently navigate these financial surprises.
7 UNEXPECTED EXPENSES HIDDEN IN YOUR WEDDING BUDGET
1. WEDDING ESSENTIALS
- Wedding rings: Shockingly, the engagement ring isn’t the only ring you need to plan for. The groom needs a ring, and the bride needs a band. The jeweler will also offer insurance for the rings, which people rarely consider when planning a wedding.
- Dress alterations: Unless you get a custom-made dress, the dress purchased at the store must be adjusted so that you look your best. You must also bring the shoes you plan to wear at the wedding to the alterations appointments to change the dress length appropriately. This means you either wear the shoes you have or buy new shoes (added cost). I got a long, gorgeous veil that needed to be shortened and a belt to add to the dress. Although the dress became stunningly beautiful, it took 3-4 trips to the alternations needed, and the labor costs add up to about ¼ of what the dress cost me. I wish someone warned me about this earlier to plan for in the dress budget.
- Wedding invitations, website, and RSVP: With technology, you can mail your invitations and RSVP or link your wedding information on a website. Mailing RSVPs or invites can become expensive, or use an email version. The Knot also has options for wedding invitations, but if you choose to mail them, you must include postage fees and time. I used The Knot to create a wedding website and send RSVPs. I chose Evite.com for email invitations. This saved me time and money, so I hope this tip helps you, too.
- Marriage license: Prepare for the administrative costs of getting married, the most prominent being getting a marriage license. We took a marriage preparation course and received a discount for the license. Any little discount can help lower the overall cost of the wedding.
- Transportation and delivery fees: When you think through the day's logistics, you realize someone must be responsible for getting people and stuff from point A to point B to point C. How will the cake be delivered to the reception venue? Either the bakery delivers it (costs money) or you pick it up (costs time and gas money). How do you get the wedding party from one point to another? A limo is very lovely but also costs money. Include transportation costs in your budget, or it will surprise you later.
- Venue fees and taxes: Suppose you use a venue or destination wedding that becomes your one-stop shop for everything. However, when you sign on the dotted line, you discover all the additional fees and taxes. These additional fees and taxes often are not included in the initial quoted costs. Things like police for the event may not be included in the initial quote. These unforeseen costs add up and likely explain why some people say, “Whatever you budget for your wedding, double it!”
- Wedding insurance: Yes, there is a thing called wedding insurance. In summary, wedding insurance is an agreement that protects you against losses if your wedding day is unexpectedly canceled or something happens outside of your direct control. Wedding insurance can also reimburse you if it’s postponed or canceled, like several weddings likely were during the COVID pandemic. I didn’t discover wedding insurance until after my wedding, but I would have been in trouble if there had been a surprise water leak in the building on my wedding day. I am thankful it worked out. However, I recommend wedding insurance if your wedding is outside or a large wedding because you never know what may happen.
2. CELEBRATION DECORATIONS AND DETAILS
- Wedding rentals: Our wedding planner was fantastic and had several things we could use to beautify our day, but she didn’t have everything. You can purchase or rent linens, tables, or chairs if you aren't using a professional event planner. Some brides will buy stuff like linens for the event and then sell things online. I love managing money but did not want to put in that much effort to coordinate the wedding. We had our wedding planner rent out linens and use the tables and chairs at the venue. Some things are worth spending the money on to experience less stress and more joy, but it is better to plan for these expenses ahead of time.
- Decorations: Depending on your venue, you may need to get decorations to make it seem more like a celebration of your wedding. While these decorations can be expensive, you can get creative with where you get these items. It also helps to have creative, resourceful people to help out on your wedding day. Here is what I did for my wedding:
- Church venue: I went on Etsy to get simple decorations for the church pews.
- Rehearsal dinner: My friend recently got married and brought a bunch of decorations for the rehearsal dinner venue to dress it up in ways I never would have thought of.
- Bridal shower: My maid of honor got decorations for our bridal shower. We didn’t have a bachelorette party because I planned my wedding in 4 months, but if you want a bachelorette party, you need to plan for the decorations.
3. UNEXPECTED WEDDING BEAUTY AND FASHION EXPENSES
- Makeup artist trials: I knew I wanted to have my makeup professionally done because I didn’t want to worry about it on my wedding day. However, I was new to the area and didn’t know many makeup artists, nor did I get my makeup done very often. I also feel anxious when I have several choices presented, so I focused on two makeup artists to try. However, both these trials cost money, and there was an additional expense to hire her for my wedding.
- Makeup artist travel fee: If you want your makeup artist to meet you at the church, this will cost money. I valued simplicity to decrease my stress and anxiety for the day, so I paid the charge for her to arrive at the church. Yes, it was an added expense, but it was worth it for me.
- Makeup session for bridal party: My maid of honor wanted to do her makeup, which helped me; however, if you plan to do makeup for your bridal party, you must include this in the budget.
- Hair trials: You may need bridal trials to determine what style you want and whether it will work for your hair (and your bridesmaids' hair types).
- Nails: I got so busy and “budget conscious” that I almost didn’t get my nails done until my maid of honor pointed it out. Afterward, I am glad I finished them because I felt more put together. Consider adding “nails” as another expense in your budget and make time to finish them.
- Bridal accessories: What jewelry do you want? Do you want a veil or belt? What kind of shoes do you want? What about jewelry for your bridal party? Add these elements to your budget planning.
- Beauty treatments: Broad category to describe “self-care” to help you prepare for the day. Everyone is different, so you must consider what YOU need for YOUR wedding day to feel your best. Things to consider:
- Waxing
- Massage
- Facial
- Exercise
- Tanning
- Undergarments: Do you want new lingerie? Do you need a corset for the bridal gown? Are you considering a garter? Do you need tailored accessories to help you look your best? None of these were in my initial budget and surprised me as an unexpected wedding expense, but I wish someone had warned me about them.
- Wedding celebration style: I only considered my wedding dress; however, if it helps you to have a new dress for your rehearsal, parties, wedding reception, or honeymoon, do what you must but plan within your budget.
4. FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS
- Bridal party food: I am not a natural hostess, but even I recognize that you often must feed people during the wedding process. Budget refreshments for your wedding party while waiting to take pictures or hors d’oeuvres for the reception. These extra food costs can be an unexpected wedding expense, so plan accordingly. However, other time points include the following:
- Bridal shower
- Bachelor/bachelorette party
- Time before the wedding or during decoration times
- Vendors during the wedding
- Time before the wedding party arrival
- Alcohol and drinks: Alcohol is expensive. No matter where you have the rehearsal dinner or reception, you must figure out the expense of alcohol and beverages. Did you know you can choose to purchase alcohol? Often, that is the cheaper option, and some places like Costco can let you return alcohol you don’t use. Buying things in bulk can help you save some money.
5. WEDDING DAY TIMELINE
- Wedding day logistics: How will you get from the church to the reception hall? How will your wedding party get to the reception hall? These detailed planning items fall into the realm of logistics. Logistics refers to the detailed planning and management steps to accomplish a goal. A detailed timeline of the day can help ensure these elements are taken care of on your wedding day. Even if you hire a wedding planner to manage most of the details, you still need a plan that explains the minute-by-minute plan for the day so everyone in your party knows where to be and when. This wedding day timeline can reveal additional expenses you must plan for.
6. WEDDING GIFTS AND GRATUITIES
- Gifts for guests and wedding parties: After my wedding, I experienced so much gratitude for everyone who helped in any way to create this wonderful experience. Giving gifts of appreciation to those involved in your special day is great but can be expensive. The bigger the wedding party and guest list, the more gifts you need to buy. You may also consider gifts for the parents to commemorate the day. Even if you don’t have the best relationship or don’t like some people, a souvenir for the day can go a long way, even if it just makes you feel better.
- Tips for vendors: I am not 100% sure if this is necessary or expected, but tipping the vendors is an excellent way to show appreciation. These unexpected expenses add up at the wedding after a while, but consider a small portion for tipping vendors at night's end. Also, assign someone to hand out the tips so you don’t have to. The less you must remember to do, the more focus you can have on enjoying your wedding.
7. POST-WEDDING UNEXPECTED EXPENSES
- Honeymoon: I am glad we got away after the whirlwind time to prepare for the wedding. It is essential to take the time to enjoy being together in your new stage in life. Maybe you’ll choose to have a honeymoon months later during off-season time to save money. Perhaps you’ll have a local honeymoon or no honeymoon. Fees like flights, travel insurance feeds, gifts, eating out, and other travel changes can add up. Talk with your future spouse to decide on a budget and plan for this time.
- Moving costs: Maybe you joined your life before getting married. However, once you are married, some things will need to change. You may need to purchase new furniture, move things in, or change the postage address.
- Post-wedding dress care: What do you want to do with your wedding dress? Do you want to donate it? How will you clean y0ur dress and preserve it? Do you plan to throw it away or give it to your future daughter? Consider the expenses for your post-wedding dress care.
- Administrative and bill changes: Are you changing your name? Do you need to add your spouse to your phone bill? Will your beneficiaries need to change? Do you need to mail things back or mail thank you notes? Does your life insurance need to increase? Do you have a budget for higher water or electricity bills? How will you pay bills? Any transition or change has a price tag associated with it. All these things may not apply to you, but they are things to discuss money with your future spouse while planning your wedding budget.
CONCLUSION
As you embark on your wedding planning journey, remember that financial surprises are an inevitable part of the process. With some planning, you and your bank account can thrive with this celebration. By proactively budgeting for the unexpected, prioritizing your expenses, and implementing savvy saving strategies, you can confidently and gracefully navigate the twists and turns of wedding planning. You can create the wedding of your dreams and lay the foundation for a prosperous and fulfilling future together by planning for potential unexpected expenses.
IN SUMMARY
7 Unexpected Expenses Hidden in Your Wedding Budget
- Wedding essentials: Check out The Knot to help with the wedding website, RSVP, and Evite for email invitations.
- Celebration decorations and details: Look at Etsy for ideas and deals on wedding decor.
- Wedding beauty and fashion
- Food and refreshments
- Wedding day timeline
- Wedding gifts and gratuities
- Post-wedding expenses
What expense surprised you the most that you can now plan for in your wedding budget?
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