The majority of surveys reveal that couples end up spending more on their wedding then they initially anticipated. This can lead to financial strain during the newlywed period. If you want to come in under budget, you need to be aware of the common hidden costs that can derail a wedding budget.
The following list highlights 10 common hidden wedding costs:
1. Photography costs
Photography is notoriously known as one of the key areas that incurs hidden costs. Many photographers will not release the photographic negatives, or full size digital images to the couple. This means that all prints and albums have to be ordered through the photographer and you are at the mercy of their price list that is often subject to change. On the wedding day itself, many photographers only include around 6 hours of their time as part of the standard fee. This is not adequate if you want professional photos from the point you get dressed, till key moments during the reception. Finally many photographers charge a transport surcharge if your wedding location is more then 30 miles away from their office.
2. Reception over time fees
Many reception venues only include the room until a specified time and drinks packages are usually for around 5-6 hours. If your ceremony goes over the specified time, the hourly rate to extend the reception can be quite prohibitive.
3. Cake cutting/bagging
A lot of reception venues charge extra to have your wedding cake sliced and served to guests on plates, or bagged for them to take home. This charge is usually several dollars per head, so it can really add up if you have a large number of guests.
4. Stationary costs
The stationary requirements for a wedding seem to be on the increase. Besides the usual invitations, programs and seating cards, there are now; save the date cards, location cards and separate reception cards to name just a few. Often couples do not order enough supplies at the outset and it can be very more expensive to order small quantities at a later date. In addition postage costs are often not fully considered because stamps are a relatively small cost individually. However, they add up quickly when you have 100 or more invitations to send. In addition many couples end up selecting invitations that do not fit within the guidelines for a standard letter and therefore often have to pay double in postage costs.
5. Venue decoration
It is fairly typical to have some form of decoration at both the ceremony location and the reception venue. Sometimes people have a tendency to assume they can make use of the usual decoration at a church or their local restaurant, but in reality the venues charge a fee for this.
6. Paperwork
Most celebrant and religious officiates provide you with some form of marriage certificate, but this is usually just a pretty certificate, not the legally binding document. If you need to change paperwork due to a name change, you will find that many organizations require a legal copy of your marriage license. In addition some of your previous legally binding documents such as a will or power of attorney form may be void and you need to pay to have them drafted again.
7. Meals for suppliers
Suppliers like your photographer, videographer and some entertainers may expect to be provided with a meal. It is wise to plan ahead and organize something like a sandwich platter. Otherwise you could be stuck paying the same per head price that you are charged for guests.
8. If something goes wrong
Suppliers can go out of business, your wedding dress could get damaged, or you may be too sick to go on your honeymoon. It is wise to either take out insurance or allocate some rainy day money for unwelcome disasters.
9. Time poor costs
One of the costs that many couples neglect to consider is the extra day to day costs that add up in the weeks leading up to the wedding and when you first return from your honeymoon. It is a chaotic time when your ordinary budget is likely to go out the window. You are likely to grab meals on the run which means extra money spent on fast food, or you might resort to taxi cabs when you usually catch public transport.
10. Wet weather alternatives
If you have an outdoor ceremony planned, there is always the chance that the weather will be a problem on the day. At commercial venues it is typical to be charged an additional fee to use an indoor room. If you are marrying in a park or garden you may need to make provisions for a marquee. In both cases you are usually required to pay at least a standby fee to have this option available to you. Otherwise the venue or supplier may hire the room or equipment out to another group.
Hopefully this list has enlightened you on some of the most common tricks and hidden costs. To ensure you stay on budget, make sure you also allocate an extra 10-20% in your wedding budget for general unexpected costs.