Don’t get caught off guard with these surprise wedding costs

When I started planning my wedding — I tried to stay within budget.

In the beginning, small expenses would pop up that I didn’t account for, and it didn’t seem like a big deal.

But the closer I got to my wedding the more I realized I was paying for things that never crossed my mind when I created a wedding checklist. Soon I was over my budget and worried I’d have yet another unexpected wedding purchase.

I wish someone would’ve told me there were so many hidden wedding costs. Brides and grooms, I’m looking out for you.

Here’s a list of wedding bills that may catch you off guard.

Hair & makeup trials.

Brides, we all know we’re going to get our hair and makeup done. But what happens when the first make up artist and hair stylist you choose don’t work out? Now you’re searching for someone else, and spending more money on trial costs, which aren’t exactly cheap.

Try to do as much research as possible before booking a trial. Look at a makeup artist’s portfolio — and most importantly, read their reviews. You want their work to come as close as possible to the look you’re wanting to achieve. All this homework could save you money in the long-run.

Ceremony and reception rentals.

It’s pricey to rent a tent. Now add the tables, chairs, lighting — and watch your bill skyrocket. You may also need to rent plates, glasses, silverware, heaters and extension cords. Those small, intimate backyard weddings that you thought wouldn’t cost an arm and leg can actually break the bank. Some couples will find an inexpensive venue only to discover they need a tent in case of bad weather — or — find out a bathroom isn’t provided, and are forced to rent a portable toilet.

Lighting.

If your outdoor wedding goes into the evening you may need extra lighting. When my husband and I got married, I knew I wanted uplighting. The idea came from a Pinterest picture of a wedding that showed the walls glowing a beautiful purple shade. When all was said and done, I had dished out a half a grand that I had never planned on spending.

Wedding liability insurance.

I had no idea wedding insurance was a thing until my venue’s point-of-contact told me we needed to have a $1,000,000 wedding insurance policy. Ask your venue if it’s required or double-check your contract. According to www.wedsafe.com, wedding insurance will “protect yourself against financial loss that could result from a wedding mishap or vendor incident. Wedding Liability Insurance is now required by many wedding venues.” The cost for our one-day insurance was about $120. Not as bad as I thought it’d be. But until I got married, I had no idea we needed an insurance policy for our wedding.

Postage.

Postage for your save-the-dates and invitations can add up quickly. The thicker or heavier the invitation — the more it’ll cost for postage. Those wax seals you like so much? Yup, they can add a few more cents to your postage.

“Thank You” gifts.

Whether it’s a small gesture for your out-of-town guests or the gifts you give to your wedding party and parents— they all add up too. It’s typical for couples to give their guests a “welcome” gift for taking the time to attend their wedding, especially for those who are traveling. When it comes your parents and wedding party, a “thank you” gift should be thoughtful and not a last-minute gift you quickly stuff in a bag. Try a satin robes, sunglasses or personalized items. We’ve heard of some couples spending up to $1,000 to show their appreciation. We don’t suggest spending that much, but it goes to show just how important the gesture is when it comes to “thank you” gifts for your parents and wedding party.

Wedding dress alterations.

So you’ve said “yes” to the dress, and you’ve paid off the bill. But did you take in to account how much alterations could cost as well? Depending how much work you need done, you may be paying hundreds of dollars. Try not to skimp out on alterations or the dress of your dreams could turn into your worst nightmare.

Wedding decor, etc.

From the “welcome” sign to the card box and your wedding favors. The best way to save money is to DIY, but taking on these projects can take a lot of time, energy and cash.

Vendor meals.

Remember to feed your vendors! We’re talking your DJ, emcee, photographer and even wedding planner. Why? Because they’re putting in a long day of work, and they deserve a break and a nice meal. But that means another table to feed. Don’t forget to calculate your vendors into your final bill.

Taxes.

When we estimated our catering bill we knew there would be tax tacked onto it, but we could only guess what that number would be until we had a final headcount. In the end, we paid several thousand dollars in taxes. Remember, you’ll likely have to pay taxes for other vendor purchases as well, like your florist or rentals.

Valet parking.

Some venues require you to pay for valet parking. That’s right — you, and not your guests. The bill could total a few hundred dollars to a grand plus.

Breakdown time & overtime.

Look through contracts for break-down and cleanup costs. Vendors may get you on extra costs for tearing down their rentals. Venues could also add on an extra charge if you’re not off their property by a certain time. Another way to incur unexpected costs is using your vendors longer than the agreed upon time (for example, your photographer). Try to keep track of time or ask someone to do it for you, especially your wedding planner if you have one.

Hotel room for the night.

If you’re not heading home the night of your wedding, you’ll likely need to pay for accommodations. Remember to book early for better deals.

Post-wedding brunch.

Many couples say one last “thank you” to their family and out-of-town wedding guests with a breakfast or brunch the day after their wedding. But feeding a group of people — no matter what size — can be pricey.

Vendor tips.

Gratuity isn’t technically a “hidden” wedding cost, but we thought we’d remind you to calculate vendor tips into your budget. It’s often forgotten until the last-minute. The percentage varies from vendor to vendor, and also depends on service. I’m a big believer in giving a vendor 18% to 20% of the total cost. If their service was exceptional, maybe even more.

PRO TIP: Check your contracts to make sure it’s not already included. Many vendors, mainly caterers, already include a gratuity on their invoices. You wouldn’t want to double tip. Remember, a service fee does not typically mean gratuity. Check with each vendor.

As you can see, the list of hidden wedding costs is long. It’s a good idea to create a cushion for your budget in case of expenses that suddenly pop up out of nowhere. They can add up quickly, and cause you to suddenly go over budget. Here’s to hoping this list prepares you for the unexpected.

Written By Vows & Forever Founder and Veteran Journalist Maria Cid. V&F is a wedding vows & speech writing service that also specializes in speech coaching and wedding timeline coordination.