Planning a wedding can be a beautiful yet overwhelming experience. From the venue to the flowers, you want everything to be perfect. But with all the excitement, it’s easy to overlook certain expenses that can add up quickly.
Many couples focus so much on the big-ticket items like the wedding dress, catering, and photography that they forget about some of the smaller yet significant, costs that can sneak up on them.
That’s why accounting for every aspect of your wedding expenses is crucial. In this blog, we’ve outlined five overlooked expenses that should be included in your wedding budget, helping you avoid any unexpected financial stress.
Stay tuned for the essential details!
1. Wedding Dress Preservation Cost
After the wedding, your dress will likely be one of the most treasured keepsakes. But what happens after the big day? A wedding dress is an investment, and maintaining its pristine condition requires proper care. Wedding dress preservation cost is something that many brides forget to factor into their budget. While it’s easy to get caught up in the dress itself, the preservation process ensures that it stays in top condition for years to come.
A wedding dress preservation price typically covers cleaning, preservation, and storage in an acid-free box that protects your dress from yellowing, fabric deterioration, and other forms of damage.
2. Gratuities For Vendors
While you may have already considered vendor costs, many couples forget about tipping their service providers. Gratuities are often expected, and failing to account for them in your budget can leave you scrambling at the last minute.
- Which Vendors to Tip?
- Photographers and Videographers: Typically 10-15% of their total fee.
- Caterers and Servers: 10-20% of the total food and drink bill.
- Wedding Planner: A 10-15% tip is appreciated if you have a planner.
- Hair and Makeup Artists: 15-20% of their total fee.
These tips can add up, so it’s important to have a line item in your budget to cover them.
3. Wedding Insurance
Wedding insurance might not be the first thing that comes to mind when budgeting for your big day, but it’s a wise investment to protect against unforeseen circumstances. Wedding insurance covers you in case of event cancellation, vendor no-shows, or even last-minute weather disasters that could affect your outdoor wedding.
Types of Coverage
- Event Cancellation: If your wedding has to be rescheduled or canceled due to illness or weather, the insurance can help you recover costs.
- Liability Insurance: In case of accidents or damage during the event, this type of insurance will protect you from financial burden.
Considering the cost of a wedding and its potential risks, a small wedding insurance cost is well worth it for peace of mind.
4. Post-Wedding Events
After the wedding, you might have additional events like a post-wedding brunch or a thank-you party for your family and friends who traveled long distances. These events are often overlooked when couples are planning their wedding budget, but they can quickly add to the overall cost.
- Bridal Brunch or Dinner: Many couples opt to host a brunch or dinner the morning after the wedding for close family and friends.
- Post-Wedding Celebration: A casual celebration or dinner with your wedding party can also incur extra costs.
These smaller gatherings may not seem like a big deal, but when you factor in venue, food, and drinks, they can add a surprising amount to your wedding expenses.
5. Wedding Dress Alterations
While you’ve probably accounted for the cost of the wedding dress itself, don’t forget the cost of alterations. Most wedding dresses require at least one round of adjustments, whether it’s hemming, adjusting the fit, or adding custom details.
- Common Alterations
- Hemline: Shortening the dress to the perfect length.
- Bust or Waist Adjustments: Ensuring the dress fits just right.
- Additional Embellishments: Customizing the dress with lace, beads, or other elements.
The wedding dress alteration cost can vary based on the adjustments’ complexity, but it should be accounted for in your overall budget. Make sure to factor in the cost of a fitting, especially if you need multiple rounds of adjustments.
Conclusion
Weddings are beautiful, memorable, and, yes, expensive. While you may have already accounted for the major wedding costs like the dress, venue, and catering, don’t overlook these five crucial expenses. From the wedding dress preservation price to vendor gratuities, wedding insurance, and post-wedding events, planning for these additional costs can help you avoid surprises and ensure that your big day goes smoothly. By budgeting for every detail, you can focus on enjoying your wedding, knowing that all the small but essential expenses are taken care of.
