Navigation close button

Hidden Wedding Costs

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to overlook expenses that can quickly add up. The last thing you want is to reach the final planning stages only to realise you’ve missed important details and exceeded your budget. In this blog, we’ll highlight the top hidden wedding costs you may have overlooked!

Trials & Tastings

Arranging tastings for your wedding cake and catering may seem simple, as you want to ensure the flavours and dishes served to you and your guests meet your expectations. However, sampling multiple options to find the perfect choice can quickly become expensive. Similarly, trial sessions for bridal hair and makeup are essential for achieving your dream look, but they often aren’t included in the final package price. These seemingly small expenses can quietly inflate your budget, so planning for them in advance is important.

Emergencies

No matter how carefully you’ve planned your big day, having an emergency fund for your wedding is essential. Unexpected situations can arise at the last minute, such as needing alterations for your dress or your bridesmaids’ attire, arranging alternative transportation if a driver cancels, or accommodating transport for miscounted guests. Being prepared with an emergency fund ensures that your special day will go smoothly no matter what happens.

Bridal Party Expenses

Being a bridesmaid is a great honour, but it also comes with a significant financial commitment. Depending on what you’re able to cover, this could include proposal gifts, morning drinks, makeup on the day, dresses, hair, shoes, getting ready outfits, snacks and transportation to and from the venue. It’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your bridesmaids beforehand about what you can afford. This transparency will help ease the financial burden for both you and your bridesmaids, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Alana Taylor Photography

Wedding Insurance

Wedding insurance is one of those things you may not realise you need, but it can be a lifesaver when things don’t go as planned. It safeguards your investment by covering unexpected situations beyond your control, such as bad weather, loss of rings, supplier cancellations, venue rescheduling costs, and more. With wedding insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re protected in case of any unforeseen setbacks on your day.  

Vendor Meals

Whether you are hiring a DJ, photographer, external caterer or wedding planner, it’s customary to provide a meal for any vendors working on-site during your reception. Vendor meals don’t need to be the full three-course dinner, just a main meal will suffice. Including your vendors in your meal budget ensures everyone is well taken care of, and in some cases, it’s already outlined in their contract. Apart from it being a courteous thing to do, your vendors will also work better as a well-fed team is a happy team.

Carmen Hickey Photography

Treatments / Wedding Prep

Depending on what you feel is best for your wedding preparation, your routine might include regular facials or laser treatments. Many brides and grooms opt for additional self-care to look and feel their best leading to their wedding day. After all, you may not often indulge in these treatments, so why not treat yourself now? Of course, these extras aren’t for everyone, and it’s perfectly fine if you don’t feel they’re necessary.

Wedding Favours & Thank you’s

While you’re not obligated to give your guests a gift for attending your wedding, it’s a kind way to express your gratitude for their presence on such a special day. Wedding favours don’t have to be elaborate, sometimes a heartfelt handwritten letter or a small, personalised keychain can be a memorable gesture. These small gifts can serve as a lasting reminder of your special day whilst also showing your appreciation to your guests for their presence and support.

Carmen Hickey Photography

Overtime

In the excitement of the moment, it’s easy to lose track of time, but exceeding your allocated hours can result in costly charges from the venue or even the DJ, often billed by the hour or minute. Vendors also need to cover their time and staff expenses. Both external vendors and venues typically charge for any time beyond the contracted hours, and while this is usually outlined in the contracts, it can sometimes be overlooked.

Alterations

Up until the final fitting, alteration costs can sometimes come as a surprise. Even something as simple as shortening the hem of your dress by a centimetre can be expensive, depending on the dress size, fabric, and length. Especially with the added “wedding tax,” alterations can quickly become quite costly. However, they are essential to ensure your dress fits perfectly and you’re comfortable on your big day. After all, a well-fitted dress allows you to fully enjoy every moment without any distractions throughout the day.

David Campbell Imagery