If you have a budget for your wedding then you know that sticking to that budget is very important and can be difficult to do. A bride typically thinks of the main expenses such as, the dress, cake, vendors, decorations, and food. But there are little things that many couples don’t factor into their budget or just forget about. There are costs for before the wedding and after the wedding that are easily forgotten about. I’m going to list some of the costs that are overlooked.
I want to address the average cost of weddings so that you can see how necessary it is to have a budget. This will vary on location and what you choose to have and not have for your wedding. I looked up the average wedding cost on a few different sites. My jaw nearly hit the floor when I saw these costs! Make sure you are sitting down for this one! The Cost of Wedding says “The average cost of a wedding is $25,764. Couples, on average, spend between $19,323 and $32,205, but most couples spend less than $10,000.” The Knot says that in 2016 the average was $35,329. They also stated, "This is actually the first time we've seen a dip in the average cost per wedding compared to the previous year with the cost being $33,391 in 2017. Are these people insane?!
Marriage License
The cost of marriage licenses vary from state to state. While doing research, not only does the cost vary by state but some vary by county. There are some states that will charge a reduced fee if the couple participates in premarital counseling for 12-weeks. I found that the lowest is Nebraska, costing $15 and the highest is Minnesota, costing $115. You can look up to see what your state requires and the cost at Find Law. While we are talking about the legal cost of getting married, I’m going to over a cost that is overlooked till after the wedding and you don't realize what all it takes and that is getting your last name changed. There are so many things you have to get your name changed on. Until you go to change your name on things you don’t realize how many different things there are that you have to change your name on. The big ones are your social security card and drivers license. We forget about doctors, bank accounts, job, insurance companies, utility bills, credit card companies...see it’s like a never ending list! I highly suggest visiting the website, Name Change Kit and purchasing the New Bride Name Change Kit to make it so much easier.
Creatively Asking Friends/Family to be part in the Wedding
Of course this is not a necessity in your wedding but it’s always a fun way to ask people to be apart of your big day. If you look at Pinterest there are hundreds of creative and fun ways to ask your friends to be a bridesmaid. A Gift Personalized and Personalized Cart have a lot of great products. And of course, my all time favorite, Amazon. Because you know they have just about everything! ? Save the Dates & Invitations Couples don't neccsarily forget about the invitations, it's everything that comes along with it. It's something definitely not thought about when putting together a budget. I know that Save the Dates are a big thing but I personally don’t think they are needed and they are definitely not a necessity. Some other items that are not a necessity but definitely something you may want to have are wedding programs, place cards, and menus. Then there is the cost to send the invitations. Not only will you need stamps for the invitations themselves but you’ll need them for Save the Dates, RSVP cards, and thank you cards. Two websites that I highly recommend are Minted and Polka Dot Design.
Special Beauty Preparations
You want to look good in every way possible for your special day and that means taking some extra steps (and possibly some extra money) to do so. The biggest one is having your nails done. The average price where I live for a manicure and pedicure is about $35 each. Then if you want to do the waxing it can be about $40. Another big thing is spray tans. The average cost for one session is about $22. Getting Ready for the Wedding If you and your girls decide to get ready at the brides house or a bridesmaids house you will save a lot of money. But if you want to go all out or have a large bridal party, you will want to get a hotel room or suite. You’ll probably want to get the room for 2 nights because check out is typically at 11a and more than likely you won’t be done by then. Additional Vendor Costs Vendors that are usually at the wedding are the photographer, videographer, the DJ or band, and wedding planner. And yes, you have paid for their service but they need to eat and drink too. You will need to calculate these people into the headcount for the wedding meal. Believe it or not, tipping is expected with some vendors (do your research), and is a way of saying thank you for a job well done. Some vendors include gratuities in their fees, while others leave the amount up to the couple so they can tip based on how happy they are with the vendors service. Alterations You won’t have to worry about this if the dress you purchase fits perfectly (this is not common but if it happens kudos to you!) If you have a friend or know someone who alters wedding gowns you may be able to get a cheaper rate but if not alterations are not exactly cheap. Be sure to do your research and find someone who knows what they are doing! Accessories and Undergarments For some wedding gowns you will have to buy special undergarments. There is also the shoes, veil, garters, and jewelry. I can’t forget to mention that if you are wearing heels and you’ll be outside, there is an awesome product called heel protectors made by Solemates.
Gifts
It is common to get members of the wedding party or anyone that helped or participated in the wedding, a thank you gift. Next on your list to get a gift for are the bride and grooms parents. Some couples will give siblings, grandparents, and other close friends and relatives gifts. Some couples get each other a gift on their wedding day. You may choose to give the guests wedding favors. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. A few ideas that you can do are koozies, candles, candy, and coasters that are personalized with the couples names and wedding dates. A few websites that have a large selection of gifts are My Wedding Favors and Beau-Coup. Setup, Room Re-Setting, Breakdown, & Cleanup Depending on the venue, their contract will have more information on this. Be sure to add these fees( if they aren't part of the rental fee) when looking for a venue.
So are you surprised at some of these? I know writing this I was like oh yeah, and I've been married! Is there anything I forgot? Are there any forgotten costs that you spaced on at your wedding? Let me know in the comments!
14 Comments
Kirsten
3/10/2018 02:28:37 am
It sounds like you were smart by doing a lot of DIY stuff. It's really difficult to grasp putting that much money into a one day thing.
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3/9/2018 11:16:10 pm
I love that I discovered this very helpful post! My daughter is getting married this fall, and we are already discovering "hidden" expenses at every turn.
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Kirsten
3/10/2018 02:30:59 am
I'm glad I may have helped some. Do more research because I know there are more. I just didn't list them all. Good luck!
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Kirsten
3/10/2018 02:32:02 am
Right?! Who was there to warn us?!
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I’m currently engaged and happy to report I’ve been keeping most of these costs in mind! My problem is that I can’t really guess how much they will be (ex. Alterations). These are totally the little things that slip through the cracks and catch you off guard at the end!
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Kirsten
3/13/2018 12:50:42 pm
Just do your research. Get quotes and then decide on who you want to go with.
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Kirsten
3/13/2018 12:51:31 pm
There are so many more so be sure to search forgotten wedding expenses on Google or Pinterest. It will really help!
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Marcie
3/11/2018 10:50:44 am
Wow! Mani/Pedis are expensive where you live! The average price in Seattle is $30 total. We forgot to factor in all the cash tips for the vendors.
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Kirsten
3/13/2018 12:54:05 pm
I wondered what the prices were in other places for some of these things. I can't believe how expensive a marriage license is in some states. I'm a photographer (obviously, 😁) and I've never been tipped for my services but I can't say I wouldn't mind. And it also would be a confidence booster knowing that they thought that highly of me.
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Kirsten
3/13/2018 01:12:48 pm
You can do a search on Pinterest for "how to budget for a wedding" and it brings up all kinds of ways. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to help any way I can. Good Luck!
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