All of your efforts go into planning the perfect wedding day. Everything from the pre-wedding, rehearsal dinner, actual wedding, to the post-wedding, most brides spend a great deal of time making sure everything is accounted for. However, sometimes things can get overlooked, which is why you should make note of the 10 unexpected wedding costs that brides forget to budget for.
1. Marriage License
Believe it or not many brides forget to budget for this very important pre-wedding expense that should be at the top of the list. You can’t get married without one, right. Be sure to research how much this will cost as every state or county differs. For those in Cook County (Chicago area), the going rate for a marriage license is sixty ($60) dollars.
2. A Hotel Room for the Night Before
As tradition has it, many believe that you are not supposed to see the bride before the wedding. With that being said, it may be a good idea to book a hotel room and arrive at your hotel the day before your wedding. You should consider this because most hotels' check-in time is somewhere around 3 pm on average. Be sure to add the cost of an additional night hotel stay to your budget this way you have the entire next day to get ready for your big day.
3. Forgotten Items
No matter how many times you’ve been over that checklist, it never fails that something may get forgotten especially if you’re not getting ready in the comforts of your own home. If this unexpected wedding cost occurs, items may have to be purchased immediately so that the wedding is not affected.
4. Wedding Dress Alterations
More than likely when you purchase that beautiful wedding gown, you are going to need to have it altered. The bridal store offers alterations which can sometimes cost several hundred dollars. Do your research on a local seamstress that specializes in wedding gowns to help offset the costs of alterations. Be sure to include this unexpected wedding cost in your budget.
5. Beauty Treatments
On your wedding day, you want to feel extra special. Some of the unexpected costs that brides forget to budget for may include those extra beauty treatments. You’d want to hire a professional for hair and makeup for your wedding instead of doing it yourself.
6. Postage
Those beautiful wedding invitations that you shopped months for need to reach your guests. However, the price of postage is one of those unexpected costs that brides forget to budget for. Remember, to add at least one ($1) dollar per invitation to cover the cost of postage.
7. More Venue Time
Venues are usually pretty strict when it comes to the timeframe that was allotted for your wedding reception and apply charges if you tend to go over. This is one of those unexpected costs that brides forget to budget for. To avoid this altogether, consider buying additional time for your reception that way you don’t have the stress of trying to make sure everyone is out of the venue by a certain time.
8. Shoes and Accessories
While the focus is primarily on the wedding gown, other things can go overlooked. However, those little things like shoes, accessories, veils, jewelry, etc. tend to add up. With that being said, be sure to calculate these costs into your budget.
9. Cake Cutting Fees
That's right! Some venues charge a cake cutting fee of one or two bucks per slice to cut and serve the wedding cake especially if you plan on using a baker outside of the venue. Be sure to allow room in your budget for this unexpected cost brides forget to budget for.
10. Vendor Meals
It's going to be a long beautiful day, with that being said, people get hungry. Don't forget to provide a meal for the vendors that are with you for the day. Some vendors have started incorporating it into their contracts so that they are not left out during mealtime. And besides, you don't want anyone to become famished or ill because they haven't eaten. Not only that but it's a kind gesture to those that have made your wedding day so special.
If you are looking to learn more about how we can help with you budget for your Chicago wedding, contact us to speak to one of our planners.
Comments