Boone Town Story Photography, Carolina Golf Club
During your wedding week, you'll probably spend your down time a few different ways: preparing last minute details, relaxing before the craziness, connecting with family, and enjoying time with out-of-town guests, as anticipation builds for your special day. [Don't forget to squeeze in a date with your fiancé(e) too!] This time is so important, so we encourage you to really soak it in and live in the moment! We recommend preparing for last minute costs ahead of time, so the only thing you have to think about is having fun.
No one likes hidden costs. After months of planning and budgeting out every dollar, the last thing you want is unexpected bills popping up. Our job as planners is to help you feel as prepared as possible during the planning process and big day, which includes financial planning and budgeting. To prevent last minute stress and scrambling, we'd suggest incorporating these costs into your budget early on, so they don't sneak up on you!
1. Wedding Day Food and Drinks
Amanda Somerville Photography, Best Impressions Catering
On your wedding day, you'll be busy with hair, makeup, and hopefully enjoying a relaxing morning with your best friends as you prepare for the big event. For day-of food, many couples order food ahead of time for delivery, so they don't have to think about it on their big day. I can promise you that your bridal party and family won't expect gourmet food, but a few Chick-fil-A trays, Panera bagels, or charcuterie boards will go a long way. Many couples opt for heavier brunch options with pastries, fruit, and snacks that will keep everyone full as they get ready for the day. We'd recommend considering what booze and drink options you'd like to have as well, including champagne, beer/drinks for the guys, and bottled water to name a few. By preparing for this ahead of time, you'll save yourself the stress of figuring out all the details right before your special day.
2. After Party Drinks
Amanda Somerville Photography, Party of Two Photography
If you're planning on having an after party, you may want to think about the logistics of purchasing, storing, and transporting the booze for your party. If you've provided the liquor for your bar service, you'll be able to take it home, but only if a vendor is transporting it for you (e.g. your planner drops it off at your hotel after the event). For legal reasons, they can't release alcohol from the event to your vehicle, so keep this in mind if you're planning on using that for your after party. Just because your DJ's contracted time comes to an end doesn't mean the fun has to! Whether you're taking the after party to a club, party bus, or separate venue, you'll have an unforgettable night. We recommend planning for this cost ahead of time so your party can continue without any hiccups!
3. Vendor Tips
Demi Mabry Photography, Wescottage Music, Tyler James Photography, Lindsay Burchfield Beauty
During your wedding budgeting, we always provide insight into vendor tips: averages, estimates, and which specific vendors usually expect/don't expect tips. We'd suggest budgeting for tips in advance to prevent any last minute financial stress. After each envelope is filled, labeled, and packed somewhere safe, talk with your planner to see if they feel comfortable passing them out. As planners, we are happy to hand out the envelopes accordingly, so long as our clients are comfortable with it. Even though vendor tips are incorporated into the initial budget, it's easy to forget about this until the week of the wedding when you'll probably have a bunch of other things going on between family, friends, and preparation.
4. Travel Costs
Hope Taudevin Photography
Depending on your venue's location, you may have to fly or drive far to get there, so keep in mind any travel expenses for the weekend. This is especially pertinent if you're having a destination wedding, since you might need a rental car, Uber, or taxi to get from place to place. We'd also recommend researching the local area beforehand so you're aware of any events occurring during your wedding weekend. Local events, concerts, or festivals can affect traffic and road closures, which is important to let guests know about also.