10 Unexpected Wedding Costs Brides Forget About

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, even for the most organized brides. The hardest part? Creating an appropriate budget and sticking to it – especially since extra expenses can easily sneak up on you. Here’s how to cover all the corners of your wallet so you don’t spend more money on your big day than you anticipated.

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Tax

Tax can add up quickly on big-ticket items. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure that tax is included in the quoted price.

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Hotel Room

Save room in your budget for two nights in a hotel room—for the night before your wedding, and for the night of. This will ensure you have the hotel room at your disposal for the entire day of your wedding, which will avoid any early check-in mix-ups and help things run much more smoothly.

Female waitress serving plate of American dollar bills

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Tips and Gratuity

You may be expected to tip your wedding vendors, like the DJ, cake deliverer and photographer. Do your research in advance to find out what’s expected, and work the cost into your budget so you’re not caught off guard by the extra expense.

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Bridal Accessories

You have a budget for your wedding dress – but does it include all the fixin’s, like the veil, jewellery, shoes, undergarments and alterations? These small items can add up, so be sure to incorporate all of them into your dress budget.

Wedding invite, menu, RSVP, thank you card and other wedding stationary

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Stationary

Think you’re done with costly stationary once you send out your invitations? Think again. Remember to budget for extraneous paper items like thank-you cards, place cards, programs and menus for the day of your wedding and afterwards.

Rustic Floral Printable Wedding Stationary, $64.

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Extra Guests

Despite your kind request for RSVPs and warnings of no children allowed, it’s possible that some guests will show up without warning. As frustrating as this is, being prepared for it will help alleviate some of the stress associated with accommodating them last-minute. Leave room in your budget for a couple of extra heads, just to be safe.

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Meals on Your Wedding Day

You’ve paid your caterer for appetizers, dinner and dessert, but you and your wedding party still have to eat before the big event takes place. You’ll likely be spending the day primping with your 'maids and taking pictures with your family. It’s common courtesy to supply food for these guests and VIPs. Plan to have sandwiches delivered (and account for it in the budget) so you’re not in a rut when tummies start to grumble.

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Pre-Wedding Party Attire

There will be the engagement party, your bridal shower and your bachelorette party in addition to the big day. If you plan to splurge on outfits for all of them, make sure to account that into your overall wedding budget to ensure you can afford it. You may find that you’d rather wear things you already own or borrow outfits from friends and allocate that money to something else on your wedding wish list.

Four bridesmaids in blue dresses holding white roses

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Asking Bridesmaids

Brides are getting more and more creative when it comes to asking their friends to be their bridesmaids. Whether you plan on sending them a stunning gift basket of goodies or a simple note on pretty stationary, a small gesture beyond a phone call will be greatly appreciated by your 'maids. Remember to work this into your overall budget so you’re not feeling the I-totally-overspent sting before you even begin planning the wedding.

Bride standing with two women at a bachelorette party

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Bachelorette Party

Brides usually rely on their Maid of Honour (MoH) and bridesmaids to pick up the bachelorette party tab, but if you request an out-of-town weekend for your special soirée, you should be prepared to contribute financially. Offer to pay for your airfare and hotel room (at the very least) to ease the expense on your girls.