{"id":16118,"date":"2019-08-24T17:03:23","date_gmt":"2019-08-25T00:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moneyppl.com\/?p=16118"},"modified":"2019-09-26T09:27:29","modified_gmt":"2019-09-26T16:27:29","slug":"dont-be-blindsided-by-these-60-hidden-wedding-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/dont-be-blindsided-by-these-60-hidden-wedding-fees\/16118\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Get Blindsided By These 60 Hidden Wedding Fees\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s no secret that getting married is one of the most expensive things people will do in their lives. In the United States, most couples plan to spend $15,000 on their wedding, but the average cost ends up becoming $30,000, after all of the unexpected fees. This is enough for a down payment on a house, or put a significant chunk into student loan debt. Once it’s time to actually plan your “I do’s”, many couples are completely shocked to find out just how many hidden costs there are behind throwing a wedding. It’s almost enough for you to want to throw in the towel and get eloped. Make sure you check out what 50 different expenses will surprise you before you waste a lot of money on unnecessary fees and expenses.<\/p>\n

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A lot of venues charge cake cutting fees for couples who are getting married. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

60. Cake Cutting Fees<\/span><\/h2>\n

Believe it or not, a lot of venues will charge between $1 and $2 per slice to cut and serve the cake to your guests. This sounds almost unbelievable considering that you will probably be paying several hundred dollars for the cake in the first place. If you have 150 guests, cake cutting fees will be $300. Yikes. In a lot of cases, a venue will drop the cutting fee if you choose to use their in-house baker. You could ask your guests to cut their own slices, or opt to give out cupcakes instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Electricity can be expensive at a wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

59. Power and Utilities<\/span><\/h2>\n

String lights, a DJ table, bathrooms, and all of the other utilities that go into running a wedding are not cheap. Some people forget that the overhead to run a venue is expensive, and the owners need to recoup the cost of having guests use their facilities. Sometimes, a venue owner will measure just how much power was used during the ceremony, and include that in your bill. Other times, the utilities are included in the contract. Just make sure you find out that information beforehand, so that you aren’t surprised with an extra fee. Even if you are planning to do a backyard wedding, you will also have to worry about the same problems. For example, can your septic system accomidate 150 people flushing the toilet? Probably not.<\/p>\n

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You will most likely have to set aside at least $100 for your wedding invitations, and postage. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

58. Postage for Invitations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though we are now in a digital age where almost everything is done online, a lot of people still enjoy sending out paper wedding invitations. These are usually very beautiful, and they are something that you can hold on to in a scrapbook or box of memories. You can always get creative to make cheap invitations at home for next-to-nothing, or you can get fancy and pay upwards of $200 for a more luxurious set. The thing that you cannot avoid is postage. One US postage stamp costs 55 cents. So if you are mailing 150 invitations, that is $82.50.<\/p>\n

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Most people need to get their wedding dress altered to fit their body perfectly. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

57. Dress Alterations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Every bride wants to find their perfect wedding dress. We all expect to pay hundreds, or possibly thousands of dollars before we say “yes” to the dress. However, did you ever stop to think about tailoring costs? No matter what your body type may be, almost every bride needs to get dress alterations. A wedding dress should fit like a glove, and it should never be too baggy or tight anywhere on the body. Many dress shops offer in-store alteration services, and you would have to check out their pricing. You may also find a dress from a family member or a thrift store that you are willing to use, and you will need to find a third-party service. According to Thumbtack, you should expect to pay between $200 to $250 for dress alterations. The only way to avoid this is to either learn how to sew yourself, or find a family member who knows how to sew.<\/p>\n

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Women want to make sure their makeup looks perfect before the big day. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

56. Hair and Makeup Trial<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many brides choose to pay for a professional makeup artist to help them and their bridesmaids get ready for their big day. But before you commit to a makeup artist, you will want to get a beauty trial done to see what you will look like, first. Before you go, make sure to bring some examples of makeup styles you were hoping to have. And if you don’t like something that the artist did, be honest and ask them to change it. One trial can cost roughly $100. If it doesn’t work out with the first makeup artist, you may have to shop around for another one. So, depending on how picky or time-constrained you may be, it could be at least $200-$300. Of course, the only way to avoid this would be to do the makeup yourself, or ask a friend to help you.<\/p>\n

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Couples have to keep in mind how much a wedding venue will cost before committing. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

55. The Wedding Venue<\/span><\/h2>\n

Okay, the wedding venue isn’t exactly a “hidden” cost. According to WeddingWire<\/a>, most couples spend between $3,000 and $11,000 on booking the place where they want to get married. However, the up-front fees are not going to be everything there is to pay before. Before you choose the venue, carefully look over the contracts to see what extra costs are added on to the total bill. You may find that the actual number is hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more expensive than what you had originally anticipated.<\/p>\n

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Even if you try to have a budget, paying for bridesmaids can be very expensive. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

54. Bridesmaid’s Expenses<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes, the bride will pay for her bridesmaid’s dresses, and the flower girl. However, this can be incredibly expensive. Nowadays, it is completely acceptable for brides to ask their bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses, if they want to be apart of the event. However, even if the bridesmaids are paying for their own dress, they will still need plenty of accessories, and any other special gifts that the bride wants to give them for the special day. The cost of bridesmaid expenses are going to vary drastically, depending on how much the bride wants to do, and the number of girls in the wedding party. It could be a couple hundred dollars, or a couple thousand. The best way to avoid the cost? Get your friends together and brainstorm how you can make it work on a budget. They will likely be excited to help you come up with ideas.<\/p>\n

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Even if you choose to elope, it still costs money to pay for a courthouse wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

53. The Marriage License<\/span><\/h2>\n

At the end of the day, a marriage is a legal contract between two people. Even if you have an extravagant wedding, you will still need to go to a court house to sign a marriage certificate. Since you are filing legal paperwork, this is not free. The cost will change from county to county. Prices range from $20 to $100,<\/a> depending on where you live. Check out the guide to marriage license fees from state to state to see how much it will cost for you to get your license.<\/p>\n

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The longer you stay at a wedding venue, the more expensive it is. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

52. Extra Time at the Venue<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes, a wedding is going really well, and you wish you could keep partying the night away. After all, it is supposed to be the greatest day of your life, and you may not want it to end. However, this extra time is not free. If you stay overtime, the staff has to wait around, too. After all, everything needs to be cleaned up when the fun is over. Every venue charges a different price for overtime, so be sure to ask ahead of time.<\/p>\n

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Hiring a professional wedding photographer can be expensive. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

51. Photography<\/span><\/h2>\n

While it’s true that everyone has a smartphone nowadays, there is nothing like a really well-done wedding photo shoot. Some photographers have the ability to make you and your partner look like you are in a fairytale wedding, and it is gorgeous enough to hang on your wall for the rest of your life. But, of course, getting these perfect photos are not cheap. On average, wedding photography costs between $2,000 to $2,500 for the day, and that includes all of the prints.<\/p>\n

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Hiring a professional videographer to film your wedding can be a magical experience. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

50. Videography<\/span><\/h2>\n

Years ago, filming a wedding with a home video camera became popular, and many people still fondly look back at their VHS tapes and DVD’s. Today, with the magic of YouTube, everyone who could not make it to your wedding has access to the special day if you choose to share it online. Some people even go above and beyond to get a professional-looking music video. Hiring a videographer can cost between $1,500 and $2,000 per day.<\/p>\n

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You may want to hire a wedding planner to help you with the big day. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

49. A Wedding Planner<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is a lot that can go wrong with planning a wedding. And if this is your first wedding (which it often is) then you have no experience knowing all of the ins and outs of the trade. In some cases, it may actually be more affordable to hire a planner to help you get everything done within a budget. This will help you save a lot of time and stress, because the planners know exactly how to help you. Typically, wedding planners cost around $1,800, but the price may change depending on your local area.<\/p>\n

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You may want to consider paying for event insurance before the wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

48. <\/span>Event Insurance <\/span><\/h2>\n

Weddings are fun and exciting, but they are also full of drunk people who are dancing in high heels! You never know if something might happen to ruin your perfect day. This is why you might want to consider paying for event insurance. You should be able to purchase it through your Home Owner’s Insurance company, and the average price is around $66. Sure, it’s pretty expensive considering that probably nothing will happen. But it will also give you peace of mind knowing that you are covered.<\/p>\n

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Bridal showers are a lot of fun, but they can be expensive. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

47. The Bridal Shower and Bachelorette Party<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before the wedding, most brides choose to go out with their best friends for drinks, a party, and possibly a vacation. Obviously, the more elaborate the party, the more expensive it is. Be sure to keep all of your friends in mind when you make the plans, so that you don’t end up leaving one of more of your friends in the dark, like the Las Vegas party in the movie Bridesmaids. <\/em>Sometimes, the bridesmaids will choose to pay for the Bachelorette party as a gift to their friend. But it is still customary for the bride to give gifts to her girls like matching robes, bags, and more.<\/p>\n

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Bachelor parties are exciting, and can lead to some serious shenanigans. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

46. The Bachelor Party<\/span><\/h2>\n

The groom and his buddies will want to have a Bachelor Party too, while the girls are partying. Typically, the groom can expect to be treated to drinks from his friends, but they may decide to go to some places that require a bit of pocket change. The cost will vary drastically depending on where he goes. According to CNBC, the average Bachelor Party can cost up to $1,500.<\/p>\n

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Many couples like to leave welcome baskets for their wedding guests. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

45. Welcome Bags and Baskets<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your friends and family are coming out of town to stay in a hotel, you may want to give them a “welcome” bag or basket in their room. You can make something cheap and cute putting items together from from Dollar Tree, or you can go all out with extravagant baskets filled with snacks, champagne, and water bottles. This could be anywhere from $10 to $100 per basket. You will also need help from the hotel staff to deliver these baskets, and they will need a tip, too. Keep in mind how long they took to help you, but you should tip them at least $20.<\/p>\n

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The bride will need many more accessories besides the dress. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

44. Wedding Accessories<\/span><\/h2>\n

The bride’s ensemble does not stop at the wedding dress. She will need a veil, jewelry, shoes, tiara, and barrettes. And, most of the time, women change their mind a few times about what they want to wear. So she may end up with extra accessories that she never actually used. If you want to save money on accessories, check out<\/a> some of the cheap options online. Or, splurge on the items that truly matter, and you know you will wear over and over again, like jewelry. For the items that are only good for the wedding day, it’s best not to go overboard.<\/p>\n

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You will have to rent all of the supplies necessary to throw a wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

43. Dinner Supply Rentals<\/span><\/h2>\n

Everyone needs a place to sit and eat their dinner on the wedding day, but almost no one has 150 chairs and place settings. Obviously, these items have to be rented. Event venues will often charge seperate fees for renting the space, and charge extra for the dinner supply rental. Keep in mind that they typically charge per-seat, so the more people you invite to the wedding, the more expensive it will be overall.<\/p>\n

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If you are having more than one dinner option, it is good to give your guests a menu. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

42. Stationary For the Day<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you have having a sit-down dinner for your guests, you will need to print menus for them to choose their meals and drinks from. There may be other paper items like an itinerary, as well. The price you pay for this stationary depends on if you are making it at home, or if you get it created by someone on Etsy or a stationary store. If you create these items at home, you should be able to pull off the project for $100 or less.<\/p>\n

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You will need to pay for a staff of people to help set up the wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

41. Set Up Fees<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before the wedding, an entire staff of people will be needed to set up the tables and chairs, as well as put out the place settings. Later, the wedding coordinator or the bride will come through to add the centerpieces, menus, and more. The set-up fees depend entirely on how much you want to get done, and how hands-off you choose to be. Expect to pay well over $1,000, but the cost will vary depending on how big your wedding is. Remember to arrive early so that you and your staff have as much time as possible to get everything ready.<\/p>\n

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Every wedding has flowers, and they can be expensive. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

40. Flowers<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the most surprising expenses that people are surprised by is just how expensive flowers can be. Expect to pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, table centerpieces, and floral decor. If you choose to use fake flowers instead, you should be able to cut down on the cost significantly. Sometimes, you can go half-and-half. Give real flowers to the bride, but save money on the decorations by buying faux.<\/p>\n

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A lot of wedding choose to pay for a DJ. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

39. The DJ<\/span><\/h2>\n

At your wedding reception, you will want to make sure your friends and family have some music to dance to. You can’t exactly make a playlist on your iPod and expect that to be good enough. DJ’s offer a lot of excitement to the wedding through their vibrant personality, and they will also be in charge of taking requests. Often times, DJ’s will also announce when it’s time to have the father-daughter dance, first dance, and more. Wedding DJ’s typically cost around $1,000 to $2,000 per night.<\/p>\n

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Always remember that you will pay a small fortune in catering. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

38. Catering<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you throw a wedding, everyone’s got to eat. In fact, it is one of the very few times people can indulge in really fancy food. If you want to have a sit-down dinner, the average cost is $40 per-person. If you opt for a buffet instead, it will be $27 per person. You may also have to pay for additional horderves and desserts, too. So, if you have a sit-down dinner with 100 people, that is $4,000 on food alone.<\/p>\n

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Most weddings have some sort of bar for their guests. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

37. Alcohol<\/span><\/h2>\n

Without alcohol, “dry” weddings can be pretty boring. This is why you will want to have some kind of bar. If you have a backyard wedding, this may be as easy as having beers sitting in ice, but most elegant weddings will provide a full-service bar. If you want to cut down on costs, you could have your guests serve themselves, or narrow down the option to a few signature cocktails. The cost of alcohol can easily go over $1,000, but it depends on how many guests you are having at your wedding.<\/p>\n

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If you plan to throw your own wedding somewhere, you need a permit. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

36. Event Permits<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some people decide to throw a wedding in a park, on a beach, or somewhere that is a non-traditional venue. Remember that if you are doing anything on public property, you will need to get a permit, first. You can’t just show up to a park and have your wedding! The cost of an event permit varies drastically in each municipality, so contact the town where you are planning to throw your event for more information.<\/p>\n

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Event venues will charge you a fee for cleaning up after the wedding is done. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

35. The Clean Up Cost<\/span><\/h2>\n

When the wedding is over and it’s time for the party to end, the work is not over. At a wedding venue, a staff of people will break down the tables and chairs, pick up trash, do dishes, and so much more. The bride and groom are responsible for paying for all of this work. The cost of cleanup will vary drastically depending on the size of your wedding, and the venue. Ask your venue how much it costs for the cleanup. If you are hiring the help yourself, you will need to find a local company to do the work for you.<\/p>\n

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Some restaurants and event venues charge a corkage fee for bringing your own bottles. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

34. Corkage Fees<\/span><\/h2>\n

A lot of couples decide to save money at a wedding by bringing their own bottles of wine and champagne. After all, the restaurant or event venue typically over-charges for their alcohol, anyway. Some restaurants and venues have decided to fight back by charging a “corkage fee”. This is a fee per-bottle that you have to pay simply for bringing your own wine. In The Napa Valley, California and New York City, corkage fees are $15 to $20 per bottle. So, if you bring 50 bottles for 150 guests, that’s $1,000 simply to get permission to drink your own wine and champagne! Always read your contract carefully to make sure you are allowed to bring your own drinks, in order to avoid suddenly getting hit with an unexpected corkage fee.<\/p>\n

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You always need to have a backup plan in case it rains. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

33. Preparing a Backup Plan<\/span><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, modern technology has not given us the ability to control the weather just yet. Considering that most people plan their wedding a year or more in advance, they certainly have no idea if it is going to rain. If you have an outdoor wedding, it is completely necessary to have a backup plan. Many couples decide to rent a tent that their guests can stand under, or choose a venue that has both indoor and outdoor options.<\/p>\n

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If you have a destination wedding, or if you go on a honeymoon, it will cost a lot of money to get there. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

32. Travel Cost<\/span><\/h2>\n

The travel cost to get to a wedding to vary drastically, depending on where the venue is located. You may have to go several miles out of town multiple times and eat up a lot of gas money. Of course, every car is different, so the cost of fuel varies depending on your MPG. You may have to take a flight to another state or country, too. On the low end, travel cost could be around $100, or it could be thousands, depending on the itinerary of your wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n

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Most couples want to arrive to their wedding in style. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

31. Transportation<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most brides and grooms want to go to and from the wedding in style. It is tradition to rent a limousine so that the wedding party can drink after the ceremony and not worry about drinking and driving. You may even want to rent something quirky and extravagant like a party bus. The cost of a limousine rental will vary drastically depending on the type you get, but you should expect to pay between $1,000 to $2,000.<\/p>\n

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Typically, brides want to have special shoes for their wedding day. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

30. The Shoes<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both the bride and groom will want to wear really nice shoes on their wedding day, and that can be expensive. But some brides really want to go above and beyond to have a unique pair of shoes that they can keep for the rest of their life. Before you commit to a pair of shoes, make sure to try them on and walk around, because you will be in them all night. If you want to save money, there are a lot of beautiful and unique wedding shoes available online that are far cheaper<\/a> than going to a wedding boutique.<\/p>\n

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Don’t forget to set money aside for tips. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

29. Tips<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the United States, it is customary to give a 20% tip to people who are working in the service industry. Sometimes, a gratuity is added on to the total bill by the catering company or venue, and it will not be necessary for you to tip them. However, that is far from being the end of tips during your wedding journey. You will probably need to tip the delivery people, bartenders, and so much more. This could easily cost at least an extra $100, but it is likely to be much more.<\/p>\n

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You may have to provide certain equipment for the live band to perform. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

28. Equipment for the Live Band<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you want to have a live band, the venue you choose may not be prepared to accomidate the DJ or live band. It may be necessary for you to build a stage, provide a table, or a sound system for the band to use. Be sure to ask your band what they need, and give them the opportunity to view the venue beforehand so that they can get ready. They will let you know if they are missing anything.<\/p>\n

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Don’t forget that your total bill may not include the taxes. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

27. Taxes<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you get a quote for the total bill from a wedding venue, it may not include the sales tax. Some couples are shocked to see that suddenly, their bill is hundreds of dollars more expensive than they had originally thought. If you want to avoid running into this issue, make sure you look at the itemized list, and if you don’t see the tax included, ask the venue for the true total. They should be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how much money you should expect to dish out.<\/p>\n

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You will need to pay for the servers giving food and drinks at your wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

26. Service Fees<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you are throwing a full-service wedding, you will need to hire a wait staff to give out horderves, pour drinks, and serve dinner. If a wedding venue has a vendor that they typically work with, they can give you a quote on how much it would cost to add it to your total package. There are also large catering companies who have a full wait staff, as well. Keep in mind that some of these services tack on an additional gratuity, which means that the wait staff all get a healthy tip by the end of the night.<\/p>\n

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You may need to go through a trial run with a vendor before your wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

25. Vendor Trials<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before the wedding, you will want to visit various food vendors around your local area to taste the dishes that they offer. This service is not free, though. Expect to pay over $100 every time you sit down with a vendor to see and taste their samples. After all, you are still taking up their time and resources, and they deserve to be compensated. If you want to save money, do your research on vendors ahead of time, and call them if you have any questions. It should be easy to narrow companies down through online research beforehand, which will eliminate meeting with too many people.<\/p>\n

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Watch out for getting charged a fee to bring in outside pros to help with your wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

24. Professionals Who Are Not “Venue Approved”<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you imagine your dream wedding, do you picture an orchestra playing classical music, and dancers performing at the reception? These extra professionals who show up to your wedding may cost more than the price they charge for the performance. Your venue may want to charge you an additional fee to bring in outside talent, as well. This is to cover their commission that they usually get from the talent that they usually hire. Always be sure to discuss it with the venue beforehand, or hire a wedding planner to help you take care of it.<\/p>\n

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Every guest to your wedding should go home with a favor. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

23. Party Favors<\/span><\/h2>\n

It is traditional for the bride and groom to give away wedding favors to their guests. After all, your friends and family have given you gifts, and put out a significant amount of money to make it to your wedding. So giving them a gift is the least you could do. These wedding favors could be simple and cheap DIY gifts made from items found at the dollar store, or they could be extravagant items that cost $10 to $20 per person.<\/p>\n

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Some women like to get eyelash extensions before their wedding day. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

22. The Bride’s Extra Beauty Needs<\/span><\/h2>\n

In order for the bride to feel like she is looking her very best, she will need to have more than her average beauty routine. Many brides choose to go above and beyond their normal self-care routine, and give themselves a “glow up”. This may involve paying for eyelash extensions, tanning, waxing, and so much more. Each one of these treatments can cost between $20 to $100 each. Of course, the bride can choose to pay for a cheaper DIY beauty routine, like spending $20 to buy a wax warmer<\/a> to use at home, or giving herself a pedicure.<\/p>\n

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Most couples try to look their best leading up to their wedding day. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21. Diet and Workout Before the Wedding<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you get married, people will be taking pictures and videos of you on their phones. You will also be standing in front of a huge crowd of people. It only makes sense that you will want to look your best. Getting fit can cost a lot of money. You may need to pay for a gym membership ($20 to $50 a month), new gym clothes ($100+) and a special diet, which could cost hundreds of dollars. Obviously, this expense will be worth it, because the both of you will be happy and healthier than you were before.<\/p>\n

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It is a good idea to buy presents for your parents to thank them for helping with the wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20. Presents For Your Parents<\/span><\/h2>\n

Years ago, the daughter’s parents were responsible for paying for the wedding. Nowadays, this does not happen anymore, and the young couple tries to pay for it on their own. But in a lot of cases, parents are still giving a significant amount of money in time to help you with your wedding. It is customary to give a thank-you gift to your parents that is larger than what you would give as a normal wedding favor. They truly deserve it. If you cannot afford something extravagant, try to go for something sentimental. You parents will want to remember your wedding just as much as you do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The wedding party will have a rehearsal dinner leading up to the wedding. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19. Meals for the Rehearsal Dinner<\/span><\/h2>\n

The night before the wedding it is traditional for the wedding party to practice their entrance and exits. They also get to enjoy a dinner together. This can be done at the home of the bride and groom, or at a restaurant. If you choose to do this at home, expect to pay between $10 to $30 per person, and if it is at a nicer venue, it would cost between $50 and $70 per person. Remember that it doesn’t have to be overly extravagant. Your friends will just be happy to be apart of the wedding ceremony, and this is really was matters the most at the end of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you are having a fall or winter wedding, you will probably have a coat check. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

18. Coat Check <\/span><\/h2>\n

If you are having a wedding in the fall or winter, you can save a lot of money on your ceremony. One of the only issues with this plan is that your guests are going to arrive with coats on. If you book at a venue that offers a coat check service, this comes at an additional cost. If you are unaware, coat checks are when someone is employed to stand at the coat check station during the entire ceremony and reception. This person takes the guest’s coats, puts them on a hanger, and gives the guest a corresponding ticket number. <\/span><\/p>\n

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A lot of upscale venues offer full service valet parking. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

17. Valet Parking<\/span><\/h2>\n

At luxury wedding venues, they usually offer valet parking services for the wedding party and guests. This means that you will have to employ a group of people who are willing to be your valets. In most cases, the hotel or wedding venue will already have hired employees that already work as valets whenever a wedding is booked. But you will have to pay an additional fee in order to get this service. According to AmericanValet<\/a>, you typically want to hire one valet for every 15 to 20 cars. The average cost to hire a valet is $30 to $35 per hour, per valet. And venues typically force you to book a minimum of 4 to 5 hours. <\/span><\/p>\n

Always check the contract that you are signing with the venue. You may be able to save a few hundred dollars by removing the valet parking fee, and expect your guests to park their own cars. If they never know there was an option for valet in the first place, it won’t hurt them. <\/span><\/p>\n

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You never know when you may have to quickly add someone to the guest list. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

16. Last-Minute Guests<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some people love the idea of a small, intimate wedding, where you only have a handful of people who matter the most to you. Others want a massive party with a hundred guests each. If you are the latter, you don’t want to book a huge venue and then end up with an empty room on your wedding day. So a lot of people choose to invite more guests than necessary with the expectation that some of them will decline. This results in over-booking the wedding. Or, you may realize that you totally forgot someone important to add to your list. Since it costs money for every person who shows up to the wedding, these last-minute guests really add up. Be prepared for this to happen, because you don’t want to turn anyone away.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A lot of brides love to give their friends a “bridesmaid proposal” gift. Credit: BrideO on Etsy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

15. Bridesmaid and Maid of Honor “Proposal” Gifts<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nowadays it has become a popular tradition for the bride to surprise her bridesmaids and maid of honor with a “proposal”. This gives the girls a moment to feel really special and honored for being asked to participate in the wedding, and it also gives them a momento to remember the moment by. Depending on how extravagant you want to go these gifts could go anywhere from $10 to over $100. Or, you could try to make your own DIY version of these gifts with items you found from the dollar store. Check out Pinterest for some really great DIY Maid of Honor Proposal Gift Ideas<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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You are almost guaranteed to forget something before the wedding, like socks for the groomsmen. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14. Random Forgotten Items<\/span><\/h2>\n

No matter how hard you try, you cannot prepare for random forgotten items. Maybe you’ll realize at the last minute that the groom and groomsmen all need matching black socks. Or maybe the bride needs some new stockings. It is inevitable that something will go unnoticed until the very last minute. Instead of panicking over the extra cost, make sure to set aside a few hundred dollars just in case you. Chances are, you will definitely need to get something that you completely forgot about until the last moment. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Always remember to send your friends a thank-you card. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13. Thank-You Cards<\/span><\/h2>\n

When the wedding is over and everyone has gone home, that does not mean that everything is truly done. It is polite to send all of your guests a thank you card that is personalized to each and every one of them. The guests to your wedding paid for extravagant gifts on your registry, and they also spent money on new clothing to attend the ceremony. Many of them come out of town in order to spend time celebrating your special day. They truly do deserve recognition for everything that they have done to make your wedding a success. Try to have a budget set aside with your thank you cards, or try to consider something digital that you can do for free. Like we mentioned before in the wedding invitation section, you may need to budget at least $100 for the cards and postage.<\/span><\/p>\n

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If the staff works longer than expected, they need to be paid for their overtime. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12. Overtime for the Staff<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to paying for extra time at the venue, you will also have to keep in mind that the staff will need to be paid to. If you’re partygoers decide to stay later than usual,the staff needs to be paid for their extra time. On average it may cost an additional $250 per hour for extra time. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can avoid doing this by overbooking on “free” time, like getting ready before the wedding begins, and don’t dilly-dally. If you are late to begin the ceremony or arrive at the reception, you are cutting into paid time. Also remind your guests when it is time for them to leave. You should also set aside a few hundred dollars just in case the party goes on longer than expected. <\/span><\/p>\n

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If you choose to have a destination wedding, you may need to help pay for your guests’ accommodations. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11. Guest Transportation and Accommodations <\/span><\/h2>\n

If you have a destination wedding at some far-off place, you may be expected to help pay for some of your guest’s transportation costs. This is especially true if you really want your parents and other family members to be there for the special day, but they can’t afford. The only way you can make this happen is if you pay for their flights and hotel rooms. Sometimes, the guests will be expected to pay for their own transportation and hotel to a destination wedding. But others believe that it is up to the bride and groom to supply the cost, since it is such an outlandish expense for most people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you have a wedding at home, you will have to pay for a limousine to accommodate the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The only way to avoid this extra cost is to book your wedding somewhere where your friends and family can drive there themselves. This way, there will be no need to worry about how your family and friends are going to afford to travel to your wedding.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There are so many different wedding decoration options besides flowers. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10. Decorations (Besides Flowers)<\/span><\/h2>\n

When you pay for a wedding venue, they almost never offer any form of decoration. You are only getting the space, and that’s it. So it is up to you to decide how you want to decorate. You may want to buy white balloons<\/a> in bulk, DIY mason jar centerpieces, or build a photo booth. The price is completely up to you, and how elaborate you want to make it, but you should expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars. Check out our list on Dollar Tree Wedding Hacks<\/a> if you want to get inspired with some cheap ideas.<\/p>\n

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A wedding needs an audio system. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9. A Sound System <\/span><\/h2>\n

Even if you are not hiring a band to play at your wedding, it is likely that you still need a sound system set up at the venue. How else are your guests going to hear the speeches given by the Best Man and Father of the Bride? The priest or officiate of the wedding may also want a microphone so that the crowd can hear you say your vows, and the final “I do”. Usually, and established wedding venue will already have a sound system in place, but if you are throwing your wedding outdoors, you may need to purchase it yourself. Check out this complete kit that is $250<\/a>. The great thing about buying your own is that you could always reuse it again for birthday parties and other events.<\/p>\n

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If you want to have romantic lighting at your wedding, it’s going to cost you. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Romantic Lighting<\/span><\/h2>\n

Scrolling through Pinterest and wedding websites, you have probably seen how beautiful a night time wedding can be with fairy lights. It truly does make an outdoor setting seem very magical. You may have also seen the photos of people putting fairy lights in mason jars<\/a> as a table centerpiece. However, in order to get the look, you will have to buy a lot<\/em> of strings of lights<\/a>! Depending on how many lights you buy, expect to pay at least $200 to $500.<\/p>\n

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Don’t forget to tell the caterers that you need food, too. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Meals for the Bride and Groom<\/span><\/h2>\n

Believe it or not, one of the most commonly forgotten expenses is the bride and groom’s own meals. They sometimes get so caught up in the guest list, they forget to put themselves down on the list of meals for the caterer! Some brides also get so nervous, that they choose to not eat before the wedding. Remember to take care of yourself, because you will be exhausted after all of the running around.<\/p>\n

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Don’t forget to supply the meals for your wedding vendors. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Meals For Your Vendors<\/span><\/h2>\n

The bride and groom are so busy worrying about feeding their guests, that they often forget that the vendors need to eat, too! It’s okay if they don’t get the fancy lobster meal. Even coffee, donuts, and boxes of pizza are okay being kept behind the scenes, but it’s still customary to make sure they have plenty of food to keep them happy while they help you make your special day a success. Depending on how many vendors are helping you, and the number of meals they will need, it can cost a few hundred dollars.<\/p>\n

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You may have to buy several outfits leading up to the actual wedding day. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Pre-Wedding Outfits<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leading up to the wedding, both the bride and groom will be going to a lot of meetings. You will have to meet with potential vendors, and have parties ahead of time like the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner. This means that you will need to buy a few nice outfits<\/a> to look presentable on those special occasions. Depending on what you buy, this can cost at least $100, up to a few hundred dollars per person.<\/p>\n

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You may want to hire a wedding coordinator to help run your event. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Day-Of Wedding Coordinator<\/span><\/h2>\n

You may be thinking; Hold on a second, I thought there was already a wedding planner on this list! Well, that is actually a seperate job than someone who agrees to be your day-of wedding coordinator. Sometimes, the job can done by the same person, but it is often two different people. The coordinator is on the ground helping to make sure that the ceremony runs smoothly. This can cost between $800 to $2,800. If you are throwing an extravagant ceremony that requires a lot of planning, it would be wise for you to also have a coordinator to help, too.<\/p>\n

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The bride will want to wear special lingerie on her wedding night. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. The Bride’s Lingerie <\/span><\/h2>\n

We won’t get into the naughty details, but the bride is most likely going to want some beautiful lingerie for her wedding night and honeymoon. Of course, everyone’s mind immediately goes to searching through the Victoria’s Secret catalogue. While those items are beautiful, they can be over $100 per piece if you are buying some of their wedding sets. There are some beautiful options available online for under $20 apiece<\/a>. It’s actually possible to buy multiple sets of bridal lingerie for the price of one.<\/p>\n

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A lot of people choose to go to far-off destinations for their honeymoon. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. The Honeymoon <\/span><\/h2>\n

After the wedding, most couples go on a honeymoon vacation together. If a couple is being exceptionally frugal, they might opt to stay home to relax after their exhausting wedding. But most people choose to take a couple weeks off of work in order to go somewhere tropical to enjoy the sunshine. The cost of the honeymoon will vary drastically, depending on where you choose to go. If you want to cut back on costs, try to buy budget-friendly luggage<\/a>, and look for cheap flights on SkyScanner<\/a>. You might also want to sign up for a travel rewards credit card<\/a> so that you can pay for your flight with miles.<\/p>\n

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You will have to do a lot of errands on your to-do list, even after the wedding is over. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. After-Wedding Errands<\/span><\/h2>\n

There will be so much to do after the wedding, you may want to buy a nice planner<\/a> in order to get organized. You will have to clean up, return the rented tuxedo, get the dress dry cleaned, send the “thank you” cards, and so much more. If you and your partner also bought a house around the same time, you may have to move, too! There is no telling just how much money you will need to do these errands afterwards, but expect to spend a minimum of an additional $100. As long as you stay organized, this process should be far less stressful than planning the wedding.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s no secret that getting married is one of the most expensive things people will do in their lives. In the United States, most couples plan to spend $15,000 on their wedding, but the average cost ends up becoming $30,000, after all of the unexpected fees. This is enough for a down payment on a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":17274,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[106],"tags":[706,708,704,232],"class_list":["post-16118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-bridal","tag-bridal-hacks","tag-saving-money-on-wedding","tag-wedding"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":16118},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16118"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39236,"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16118\/revisions\/39236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.moneyppl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}