Planning your dream wedding is one of the most exciting journeys you will ever embark on! Between choosing a wedding dress you’ll dazzle in, locking down the perfect wedding venue, selecting stunning floral arrangements, and hiring your dream wedding photographer to capture it all, it’s easy to overlook some of the small—but still very important—expenses.
That’s where a well-thought-out wedding budget comes in. To help you avoid any last-minute surprises, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 wedding budget items couples forget when planning their big day. Adding these often overlooked expenses to your budget checklist can help you accurately estimate and budget your wedding from the get-go.
1. Transportation for Wedding Guests
You’ve chosen the flower girl dress and picked out the perfect playlist, but have you figured out how your guests are getting to the wedding? Transportation is one of those wedding expenses that could easily slip through the cracks, especially when you get all caught up in the other magical details of your big day. That said, it’s so important to consider when you start wedding planning.
If you, your bridal party, and your VIP wedding guests are staying at a hotel or other accommodation that’s not conveniently located near where your wedding ceremony or reception is being held, it’s important to arrange for transportation. That way, everyone can relax and toast with a mimosa while getting ready without having to worry about how to get to the wedding on time. Providing transportation ensures that your wedding day unfolds smoothly, without any hiccups with the schedule. You might also consider providing transportation to out-of-town guests who aren’t familiar with the area — or all of your guests if you’re having a destination wedding.
Some fun (and functional) transportation options to consider? A charming vintage car for the bride and her father, a sporty getaway car for the bride and groom at the end of the night, buses or shuttles for guests, and town cars or limos for the bridal party and family members. Keep in mind that the cost of transportation rentals and services can add up quickly, so be sure to work them into your wedding budget early on.
2. Wedding Lighting
Lighting might not be the first thing you think about when wedding planning, but it can make or break the ambiance — not to mention your wedding photos! It’s especially important if you’re planning an outdoor or tented wedding, but no matter where you plan to hold your ceremony and reception, it’s important to put some thought into lighting.
The lighting you choose can have a huge impact on the atmosphere and the overall vibe of your wedding. From whimsical fairy lights or market lights to elegant chandeliers and pendant lights, there are plenty of ways to create a romantic vibe on your special day. You’ll also want to consider practical lighting methods to ensure guest safety in pathways or options to light up tents or restrooms (e.g., candles or table lamps).
Even if your venue provides lighting, be sure to inquire about what’s included and where it’s placed. Depending on the design that you and your wedding planner have come up with, you might want to allocate additional funds to your wedding budget for lighting.
For more suggestions on how to light up your special day, check out 10 Wedding Lighting Techniques to Make Your Reception Sparkle.
3. PA/Sound Systems and Power
When you’re dreaming of your perfect day, rentals like generators and sound systems probably aren’t at the top of your wedding Pinterest board — but they deserve a spot on your wedding planning and budget checklist. Without them, certain elements of your wedding, such as fairy lights, live bands, outdoor caterers, and DJ sets, won’t be possible. They all rely on power, so you’ll need a generator with sufficient power to support the additional electrical requirements of a wedding, too.
While your band or DJ will likely provide speakers for the reception, don’t forget to include a high-quality sound system and specialty microphones for your ceremony in your wedding budget. It may not seem important, but the last thing you want is for your guests to not be able to hear your wedding vows because there are no speakers, or worse, have a microphone stand in between the two of you in all of your wedding photos. Including specialty microphones, such as lavaliers that clip onto a lapel, speakers for the ceremony, and toasts is not only a wedding budget item that will pay for itself, but will also improve the wedding experience for you and your guests. Be sure to work with your band and musicians to ensure adequate sound gear that delivers the most impact for your wedding.
4. Gratuities for Wedding Vendors
Nothing says “thank you” like a gratuity! Therefore, when budgeting for wedding vendors, you’ll want to be sure to consider the cost of tipping those vendors as well. Some vendors may add the gratuity to your invoice, but it’s generally left up to the couple or whoever is paying for the services.
While gratuity isn’t required, tipping is one of the most considerate ways to show appreciation to the vendors who helped bring your special day to life. From the wedding hair stylist and makeup artists to the caterers and wedding DJ, nothing says “thank you” for the service they’ve provided like a gratuity.
When it comes to tipping, industry standards vary based on the type of service a wedding vendor provides. Your wedding planner can help you determine how much you should tip. Once you decide how much gratuity you want to give each vendor, include the cost on your list of wedding budget items.
5. Meals for Wedding Vendors (And Your Bridal Party)
Your wedding vendors will be with you from sunrise to sparkler send-off, so it’s only courteous to keep them fueled and happy. Providing them with hot meals and non-alcoholic refreshments will show your appreciation. Vendor meals are generally priced less than guest meals, but it’s important to add it to your wedding budget checklist because the cost can add up quickly depending on the number of vendors that require meals.
When doing your headcount, be sure to account for everyone — including the full band and sound techs, your wedding photographer and their second shooter and assistant, your videographer and their assistant, and your wedding planning team. As you would with your guests, you’ll want to find out about any food allergies or dietary restrictions so your caterer can plan for appropriate vendor meals ahead of time.
And while we’re talking about meals, don’t forget yourselves and the wedding party! A light breakfast like bagels, croissants, pastries, fruit skewers, or yogurt parfaits—along with some mimosas or bubbles on the side—can be a great way to kick off your wedding day! This wedding expense will make for a happier wedding party, which means good vibes as the day progresses.
6. Back-up Weather Plans for Outdoor Weddings
Every bride’s dream is blue skies and sunny vibes on her special day—especially if you’re having an outdoor wedding ceremony, reception, or both. However, Mother Nature can keep us on our toes, which is why it’s so important to have a weather backup plan in your wedding budget.
A weather backup plan will vary according to the season and location of your wedding, but it may entail renting a tent to provide a covered area if it rains or purchasing parasols or handheld fans to help guests stay cool during a summer wedding. These additional items may fly under the radar, but they can really enhance your overall guest experience. We recommend being as prepared as possible for all of our outdoor wedding clients and building in some ‘extra touch’ budget to help cover these purchases.
7. Wedding Dress (and Tux) Alterations
So, you said “yes” to the dress — but it doesn’t fit quite right. Fortunately, many bridal shops provide alterations for dresses and tuxedos at a cost.
I always recommend that brides purchase their wedding dress six to nine months in advance. A lot can happen to our bodies during that time. That’s why alterations are your best friend. To be on the safe side, plan your final fitting one month before (and no less than two weeks before) the wedding day — and remember that those alterations come with a price tag.
Also, be sure to factor the cost of steaming or pressing your dress into your wedding budget!
8. A “Day of” Dresser
Let’s be real: wedding dresses (and bridesmaid dresses) are gorgeous, but as with any clothing, they need a little TLC to look their best. The reality is that most brides and bridesmaids don’t have the know-how to properly press and steam their clothing. Not only have steamers and irons become more advanced, but the quality and intricacy of fabrics have also changed. That’s why a “day of” dresser is one wedding budget item that you won’t want to skip out on.
“Day of” (and often for our couples, “weekend of”) dressers work behind the scenes to ensure your wedding attire is flawless. They handle any fashion emergencies that arise on your wedding day. From stubborn zippers and surprise stains to expertly steaming your wedding gown and the bridesmaid dresses. They’ll work hard to ensure that everything looks beautiful, allowing you to focus on your attention on your journey to the altar — and not wrestling with the iron. A “day of” dresser is one splurge you’ll be glad you made.
9. Postage
It might not seem like a huge wedding expense you’ll need to worry about, but hear us out: the cost of postage can really add up. Not only do you need to factor in the cost of postage for your wedding invitations, but you’ll also need it for the Save-the-Dates, the RSVP cards, and Thank You cards — as well as postage for other wedding events, such as an engagement party and bridal shower.
If you’re inviting 150 people to your wedding, for example, the cost of stamps will likely set you back around $300-400. We actually recommend that our wedding planning clients consider investing in trackable postage, since USPS isn’t known to be the most reliable or gentle with mail delivery. While this will be a costlier option (typically about $8 per invitation), the upside is that we can put a tracking label on the wedding invitations to ensure that they’re delivered to guests in mint condition.
10. All of the Extra Details
Regardless of how well you plan each wedding budget item, extra costs always seem to arise out of nowhere. As a wedding planner, I always recommend adding an additional 10% to your overall wedding budget as a cushion for extra items, such as a solid surface catwalk for the ceremony if you decide not to walk on the grass. You might even decide to opt for something as crazy as a snow machine, as I did for my own winter wedding. While not everyone needs a snow machine, admittedly, you’d be surprised how many couples forget to add practical details like heaters in the winter or cooling systems in the summer once the wedding planning begins.
HauteFêtes Can Help Plan Your Wedding Budget Accordingly
Your wedding is an investment that requires detailed wedding planning and budgeting. If the thought of planning and budgeting for your wedding feels a little overwhelming, you’re not alone. At HauteFêtes, our goal is to allow you to worry less about your wedding budget so that you can focus more on the magic of your special day! Drop us a line to turn your wedding dreams into reality!