Hidden cost when planning your wedding

You have carefully and thoughtfully chosen your announcement cards and invitation, but believe it or not, some vendors do not include the envelope in your wedding announcements, so make sure you check for that.

Postage is a sneaky one and can really rack up costs, especially if you send announcements and invitations internationally. Postage for each mailing costs $0.48, which equates to $96.00 per 200 guests.

There is such a thing, and it might be worth purchasing, especially if you are investing a large sum of money in your wedding. Think of all those folks who never anticipated Covid shutdowns and how much money they simply lost. 

Purchase your insurance before you book any vendors, and at the very least, consider purchasing insurance for cancellations or postponements and deposit loss. 

You may also want to cover any unexpected financial losses, such as

•  illness
• damages to venue property
• rental breakages
• theft of wedding gifts. 
• There are additional policies for destination weddings. 
• Look for special rates for military members. 

Couples pay an average of $275 for coverage.

Do the trial run! It is better to spend the additional money to ensure you get what you expect. There are better times to experiment than on the wedding day. Some vendors include the trial runs in their fees, so check with them first. 

These include:

• Hair and make-up - $50-$150 per person
• Wedding cake sampling - $20-$40
• Catered meals/tasting fees - price of a meal for one person
• Do-it-yourself decorations (don’t scoff, that crepe paper flower garland so lovingly designed and created by Auntie might look lost in the reception room.)

This applies to both before and after the wedding. If you borrow your attire, you should get it cleaned before and after the wedding, and be prepared to fork out around $200-$300. If you rent your wedding outfit, verify if dry cleaning is included in the rental fee. 

The bride can expect to have at least two fittings for alterations once the wedding dress is delivered.  Dresses from retail stores are standardized to a specific size, and you will need your dress tailored to your fit.  For the groom, you can expect at least one fitting, after you have chosen your outfit. 

Hint: Pack fabric spot cleaners for accidents on the wedding day.

Marrying at a registry office or an off-site venue requires a ceremony fee. These usually run around $30 for a registry office.  

You will likely need to obtain permits if you choose an outside venue or historical site.  The National Park Service charges $90 for their permit, and often the parks also charge entrance fees. 

Hint: Include a tip of around $50-100 to the officiant, the organist, and the musicians.

Sometimes, these are included in the final bill with your vendor; however, check with them first. 

These can cost around $100 and include:

• Flowers
• Wedding cake, beverages, food
• Furniture (chairs, tables, tent, alters, arches, etc.)
• Rental equipment (linens, china, glasses, flatware, etc.)
• Sound and lighting equipment

Be particularly detailed when selecting what you include in your rentals for the reception, as some items could be excluded, much to your surprise. 

Verify that these items are included (prices are average):

• Setup and breakdown fees
• Tables ($8) and chairs ($2 each)
• Linens - tablecloths ($10+), napkins ($1+), chair covers ($2+)
• China ($0.40-$0.60 per item)
• Barware and glassware ($0.40-$1.80 per item)
• Flatware ($0.40-$1.80 per item)
• Arch or alter ($75)
• Lighting ($200-$5000)
• Audio/visual equipment ($200+)
• Tents ($300)
• Dance floor ($1000)

Hint: provide extra extension cords for those hard-to-reach outlets

Everyone needs to go, and if you are in a natural setting, the bush behind the setup area will not cut it. You get what you pay for, so go for the most elegant you can afford. 

On average, you should have at least one restroom per 100 people. 

There are generally three options for bathrooms; standard, elegant, and luxury bathrooms. 

• Standard >$50
  • Single unit, so you might need multiple bathrooms
  • Plastic finishes
  • Chemical long drop toilet
  • Separate wash station

• Elegant $500-$1500
  • Trailer with multiple urinals and stalls
  • Plastic finishes 
  • Flushing toilets
  • Running water

United Rentals

• Luxury $5000
  • Trailer with multiple enclosed stalls
  • Wood, granite finishes 
  • Flushing toilets
  • Running water

YML Portable Restrooms

You have found a beautiful venue and want to bring your own vendor. Be prepared to pay for it. 

Some fees are:

• fee for using an outside vendor, which can add up to 20% of their bill. 
• food and beverage minimum charge
• corkage fee if you bring your own alcohol, which can run around $2 per bottle
• cake-cutting fees at $1.50 per slice
• a coat check station?  That includes a fee for the attendant as well as the $9 per 100 guests average cost of a coat rack
• overtime usage fees for your facility, should the unexpected happen and your event is delayed, or people are having too much of a good time partying
• extra charge for setting up early.