10 Things Couples Forget When Making Their Wedding Budget

Getting ready for your wedding is a thrilling experience, but sometimes couples are swept up in the excitement and forget key things while planning their budget. Here are 10 often overlooked details to make sure your budget covers all the bases, making your celebration beautiful and stress-free.

1. Marriage Certificate and Officiant Fees

Marriage certificates typically cost less than $100, so it won’t likely be a major expense. However, a celebrant may charge anywhere from $300 to $1500.

2. Beauty and Grooming

Consider the cost of beauty and grooming services for you and the groom when planning your wedding. This includes hair styling, makeup application and grooming services.

It’s crucial to have a trial session before the big day to be sure you’ll love the look. Budgeting for beauty ensures you look and feel your best when you say, “I do.”

3. Wedding Attire

When budgeting for your wedding, factor in the cost of altering your dress, including fitting and adjustments, to make it a perfect fit. Brides usually go through two or three fittings on average.

The first fitting might address major adjustments, like hemming or taking in the bodice. Subsequent fittings allow for fine-tuning, ensuring your dress drapes perfectly. Keep in mind that fitting incurs additional costs per session.

As for accessories, here’s a simple guide to what you’ll need:

• Comfy and stylish shoes: Whether it’s classic pumps, trendy flats or comfy sandals, find the perfect pair for your walk down the aisle.
• Elegant veils: From short and sweet to long and dramatic, veils like the Juliet or cathedral styles can add that extra flair.
• Sparkling jewellery: Explore options like classic pearl earrings, a statement necklace or a delicate bracelet to complement your bridal style.
• Confident undergarments: Choose seamless or lace options that suit your dress, ensuring you feel fabulous and supported all day.

4. Wedding Rings

Set aside money for rings, averaging $1,000- $5,500 — and don’t forget the potential costs for engraving and resizing, as these personal touches can enhance the sentiment.

Explore local stores or online options to find rings that match your style and budget. You can either pay for the ring all at once or finance it at certain shops. Planning ensures your rings are unique and fit comfortably into your wedding expenses.

5. Wedding Stationery

Think about stationery costs like:

• Save-the-date cards: Ideal for announcing your wedding data in advance, giving guests a heads up.
• Invitations: These are the formal invites to your wedding ceremony, setting the tone for the big day.
• RSVPs: Your guests need to confirm their attendance, helping you plan for the number of attendees.
• Thank-you notes: These are sent post-celebration to express gratitude for gifts and attendance.

Remember to budget for postage and possible design fees to make each piece serve its purpose in making your wedding special.

6. Transportation

Don’t forget about transportation to make sure everyone gets to the party. If your guests are flying in, consider shuttles or rentals. This way, everyone gets to the ceremony, reception and hotel hassle-free.

You can rent a limousine for a touch of luxury, a vintage car for classic charm or shuttle services for convenient group travel. Each option comes with its own price range, so check local providers and compare costs to find what suits your budget and wedding style.

7. Hotel Stays

While many couples factor in their honeymoon and venue costs, they may not think about whether they’ll need to book a room on their wedding night.

If your venue is further away from your home, you may consider staying the night in a hotel nearby after your wedding. You might even need to spend multiple nights before if you need to travel more than an hour.

8. Post-Wedding Expenses

After the wedding, there are still a few things to take care of. For your wedding dress, it usually costs around $240-$285 to clean or preserve your dress. If you plan on making and mailing photo albums or thank-you gifts, remember that, too.

9. Wedding Insurance

The typical expense of weddings in 2023 was about $33,000 — that’s why having insurance is essential. It can shield you from surprises like vendor issues, severe weather or sudden cancellations.

Wedding insurance can also cover expenses like rescheduling, lost deposits or damaged attire, offering you peace of mind. It helps ensure your special day remains unique, even if the unexpected happens.

10. Unexpected and Miscellaneous Costs

Of course, when planning your wedding budget, don’t forget to set aside extra money for unexpected things. Think about possible miscellaneous expenses like marriage counselling or insurance for valuable items. Having a buffer in your budget helps handle surprises and keeps your wedding day stress-free and enjoyable.

Your Wedding Budget

Planning your wedding budget is like creating a spending guide. It helps avoid surprises, lets you prioritise spending on what matters most and ensures a stress-free celebration.

Credit;

Magnus Agren Photography

Author – Cora Gold

Cora Gold is a wedding enthusiast with over six years of experience writing about trends, traditions and more. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.