Photography by Emma Loo Photography
If you are currently planning your big day then hopefully you have set your budget! When beginning the planning process, we always encourage our clients to set a budget FIRST! Then make your guest count because those two go hand-in-hand and will help to narrow/determine your wedding venue. We also encourage our clients to break that budget down further into line items. With partial and full planning, we have a designated meeting to assist with this. You should have two sections to your budget; a "vendor" budget and an "other" budget. Today we are here to talk about that "other" budget!
Most people think their budget consists of the vendors they book, when in-fact, that is only half of your budget. If you don't include the "other" portion, you can end up blowing it and having surprise costs at the end when money is tight. Below are 7 most overlooked budget items that should be included.
1. Dress/Accessories/Alterations.
Photography by Lightbox Living Portrait Co.
Some people include their dress into the over-all budget and some pay for it separately. Either way, don't forget to include money for your accessories and alterations! Your accessories typically include your veil, shoes, under garments, garter, and jewelry. Those items alone can easily be an additional $300-$600. You also should be prepared for alterations with your budget. Due to the detail, lace, beading, layers, etc. of a wedding gown, alterations are not what you would normally pay when you drop off pants at your local shop. Wedding gown alterations average around $400 and can easily be more.
2. Miscellaneous Decor.
Photography by Yah Photography
Stationery by Olive Paper
There are a lot of little details that add up towards the end with design. We always encourage our clients to build in atleast $1,000 to their budget for these items.These items include (but are not limited to) the following: cake knife/server, cake topper, card box, guestbook, favors, photos/frames, candles, day-of signage (table numbers, escort cards, programs, menus, signature cocktail sign, welcome sign, gifts & guestbook sign, etc.), champagne flutes, custom cocktail napkins, welcome bags, etc.
3. Marriage License.
Photography by The Carters Creative
Although it is not going to break the bank, it still is smart to account for your marriage license in the budget. Every little bit adds up, especially towards the end. Typically your marriage license is only $60/$70. Don't forget to schedule your appointment ahead of time and within the correct timeframe based on the state you are getting married in.
4. Wedding Bands.
Photography by Angela Tucker Photography
Don't forget to budget for your wedding bands! This is a great one to actually set a budget for because you can get bands for $100 and you can get bands for $2,000. So deciding what your style is and how much you'd like to spend on both is great prep work for your budget.
5. Wedding Gifts.
Photography by Haley Lynette Photography
Wedding gifts are definitely not a must but they are oh-so fun! Just be sure to budget accordingly if you decide to do them. Consider the cost of gifts to ask your squad to be in your wedding party, as well as, day-of gifts. Wedding party "thank you"/"getting ready" gifts, gifts to your parents and gifts to eachother. We usually recommend trying to stay on budget with the following; $40-80 per bridesmaid/groomsman, $60-100 for each set of parents and $100-200 for your bride/groom. Usually by the end of it all, you spend a little more but it is always good to set a broken-down budget so it doesn't get out of hand.
6. Day-of Food/Drinks.
Photography by Emma Loo Photography
Wedding days are LONG! So it is important to plan (and budget) for food and beverage necessities. If you are getting hair and makeup done, you most likely will be starting early in the AM. Consider having a Chick-fil-a nugget tray or mini subs from Panera Bread and fresh fruit available for everyone to munch on throughout. Perhaps a wrap tray and charcuterie display available around noon for the guys while they get ready, as well. Plus, coffee, water and mimosas are a must ;) Be sure to coordinate and account for all those items before-hand so that you aren't scrambling the week-of/night before.
7. TIPS!
Photography by Yah Photography
This is a big budget item that is overlooked until the very end and adds up quickly. Take a look at your vendors and contracts to figure out what tips you can count on for the day-of. We always explain to our clients that tipping is up to your discretion, unless stated in your contract. So we send them our "tipping cheat sheet" and help to disburse them on the day-of at the appropriate times. There are certain vendors where tipping is customary (like live musicians, beauty, servers/bartenders, and transportation) and then certain vendors where tipping is not. Be sure to carefully read your contracts, some contract require tips and some quotes even already include tips. Regardless, allotting for tips in your budget will help you prepare for those day-of costs that add up.