Unveiling Unexpected Wedding Expenses
You’ve just been proposed to or the other way around, either way, a wedding is going to happen! We get it, planning a wedding is a thrilling journey filled with dreams of grand celebrations and heartfelt moments but don’t let the excitement cloud your judgment. Always be prepared for all the stones that will be thrown your way and that may come in the form of difficulties within your budget. Just as a sneaky link would sneak their way into your heart and home, there will undoubtedly be hidden costs that may catch you off guard. Knowing that it may be a possibility, we have collated a few expenses that you may not have considered and we’ll delve into those factors alongside tips on how to navigate budgeting for unexpected expenses.
Alterations & Tailoring: Just like any other piece of clothing article, the waist may not be perfect or the hemming may be a bit loose. For an attire worn for the entirety of the biggest day of your life, it sure must be perfect and thus alterations are almost always necessary. These few alterations may eventually add up and end up costing a good amount of money. For reference, shortening a pair of pants could go from anywhere between $17 to $70.
Suit: MJ Bale
Venue: Brookleigh Estate Wedding Gown: The Complete Bridal
Transportation: You’d want to arrive in style wouldn’t you? Queue: Style by Taylor Swift. A limousine will roughly cost you $400 an hour so imagine how much that would accumulate over the hours! Additionally, these packages usually require clients to hire limousines for at least three hours or more for the day.
Decor & Flowers: Imagine a garden in full bloom, an aisle lined up with freshly bloomed flowers and sweet scents through the air. All that comes with at least a $ 2,000 price tag and that’s cutting it low! Not only do the brides need a beautiful boutique, but the groom needs a boutonniere, and the bridesmaids also need a bouquet, each table typically has its own arrangement and the entire venue is also typically decked out in floral arrangements. To put things into perspective, the bride’s bouquet can cost anywhere between $200 to $500 alone! Quick tip: Check out artificial flowers if you’re not too fussy about fresh flowers and it’ll save you a pretty penny!
Venue: Westin Perth
Florals & Decor: Art De Fleur
Stationery: Who knew paper would come back and bite us in the bottom with its hefty price tags! We’re talking wedding invitations, menus, seating charts, welcome signs and more! Let’s take a look at Giant Invitations, a Sydney-based store for all related wedding stationery! Their best-selling Contemporary Grey Letterpress invitation is priced between $3 to $12 depending on the number of letters you order. For example, for 150 guests, each copy would cost you $5.83, an envelope each would cost you a further $0.60 and engraving of each guest’s name and address on the envelope would amount to an extra $75. Add that all up and you’ve already spent over $1,000 just on invitations alone. Don’t forget your menu for each table, a seating chart and a welcome sign for your guests to see upon entrance into the venue.
Catering & Alcohol: The average wedding catering cost for Western Australia in 2020 came out to $10,784. Each guest is easily $100 per head and this is not inclusive of costs for staffing. Additionally, with the excitement of the day, there is no question that the couple themselves and the guests may go a bit crazy with the alcohol further increasing the end price of drinks for the day. Always expect to pay more than what has been offered for the drinks!
Hair & Makeup: You may think that only the bride needs beautifying but that is seldom the case! Not only does the bride need help with makeup but the bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers all fall under the same category! Don’t forget about the hair too! There are definitely a variety of makeup and hair artists out there all ranging in different prices so it’s important to do your research to find which artist resonates with you the most. Makeup and hair artists can range anywhere between $100 per person or even $300 per person. Additionally, to ensure everything goes smoothly on the biggest day of your life, makeup and hair artists will typically have you come in for a trial to get to know your preferences and what works best for your facial shape and features and this may set you back even more. It’s also important to note that wedding timelines may be pushed forward or brought back so the makeup artist of your choice has to be able to manage his or her timing well.
MUA: Cait Gardiner & Artistry by Bridget Hair: Hair By Hatem
While you can't predict every twist and turn along your wedding planning journey, you can certainly prepare for the unexpected. Have a few strategies prepared for budgeting unexpected expenses. For example, set aside a buffer fund (roughly 10-15% of your initial budget) specifically for unexpected expenses and even if you don’t end up using it, it’ll feel like a reward either way!
Ensure thorough communication with your vendors! Don’t be afraid to ask every single question on your list! You might feel annoyed but it’ll feel so good to have detailed quotes of each item for your biggest day! Conduct thorough research of all potential hidden costs related to your venue and location to ensure the best defence against all surprise costs (you’re already doing great by reading this blog!) Most importantly, evaluate your priorities! Do you really need that big giant 5-tier cake? Or the limousine? Determine what’s truly important and what can be modified to accommodate the new budget!
By acknowledging the existence of hidden costs and strategically planning for them, you can maintain financial control and reduce stress as you approach your big day. Remember, a well-prepared budget not only safeguards against surprise expenses but also allows you to focus on what truly matters – celebrating the love and commitment you and your partner share. Happy planning everyone!
