Random Expenses You Might Forget About While Wedding Planning

When planning your wedding, you’re probably focused on big-ticket items like the venue, catering, and dress. But what about the sneaky little expenses that can quickly add up? Here’s a comprehensive list of random things you might forget to include in your wedding budget, complete with estimated costs worked into the details.

Looking for more ways to plan your wedding thoughtfully? Sign up for Tulle Together, a wedding budgeting tool designed to help you make smarter spending choices. You can project your total wedding cost, review our database of venue pricing PDFs, compare vendors side by side, and get into the details of all your wedding costs. Sign up here!

Pre-Wedding Expenses

1. Engagement Photos
   Engagement photos can cost anywhere from $200 to $600, especially if you hire a professional photographer for a session to use in announcements or save-the-dates.
2. Save-the-Dates and Invitations
   Custom invitations, including postage and extras like envelope liners or RSVP cards, typically cost $1.50 to $10 per invite, depending on the design and materials.
3. Wedding Website
   While some wedding websites are free, premium features or a custom domain could set you back $50 to $150.
4. Dress Alterations
   Altering your wedding dress to ensure a perfect fit often costs $150 to $500, and more extensive customizations can push that price even higher.
5. Hair and Makeup Trials
   A trial run for your wedding day hair and makeup usually costs between $100 and $300 (or more if you’re located in a big city), depending on the stylist.
6. Pre-Wedding Events
   Hosting or contributing to engagement parties, bridal showers, or bachelorette trips can range from $200 to well over $1,000, depending on the scale and location.

Wedding Day Details

7. Marriage License
   The legal fee for obtaining a marriage license is often overlooked, costing between $25 and $100 depending on your state.
8. Vendor Gratuities & Meals
   Tipping is customary for most vendors, such as photographers and caterers, and can range from $20 to $100 per vendor. Many vendors working through your wedding day, like your photographer or DJ, require meals, which typically cost $30 to $50 per person at a discounted rate, or more depending on your catering package.
9. Getting ready suite & brunch for bridesmaids
   Your getting ready suite may not be included in your overall cost, requiring you to pay extra or rent an entirely separate space. And if your bridesmaids are showing up early, be sure to provide food and drinks (and account for the cost!).
10. Favors
    Personalized wedding favors, like candles or small treats, usually cost between $3 and $10 per guest, which adds up quickly with a large guest list.
11. Signage and Stationery
    Custom signage, such as welcome signs or seating charts, and additional stationery like menus can cost between $100 and $500, depending on materials and design.
12. Cake and Alcohol Service Fees
    Some venues charge additional service fees for cutting and serving your cake ($2 to $5 per slice) or for corkage when serving wine or champagne you bring yourself ($10 to $25 per bottle). These charges can add up significantly with a larger guest list.
13. Shuttles or Rideshare Services
    Providing transportation for guests, especially if your venue is remote, typically costs between $500 and $1,500.
14. Ceremony Audio Equipment
    Renting microphones, speakers, and paying for setup can range from $150 to $500, ensuring your vows and speeches are heard clearly.
15. Extending the Timeline or After-Party
    If your wedding timeline runs late or you choose to extend your timeline, vendors often charge $100 to $500 per hour for overtime. Extra space at the venue could cost extra hundreds or thousands. If you plan an after-party, consider extra costs for additional space, music, and food, which can range from $500 to $2,000 depending on the venue and services provided.

Post-Wedding Costs

16. Day-After Brunch
    A farewell brunch for out-of-town guests usually costs $20 to $40 per person, depending on the venue and menu.
17. Dress Cleaning and Preservation
    Cleaning and preserving your wedding dress to keep it as a memento often costs between $150 and $300.
18. Return Shipping
    If you rent decor, linens, or attire, you may need to pay $20 to $100 to ship the items back to the vendor.
19. Thank-You Notes
    Quality thank-you cards, along with postage, can cost $1 to $3 per card, which adds up when thanking guests and vendors.

Miscellaneous Extras

21. Emergency Kits
    Assembling an emergency kit with items like stain remover, safety pins, and pain relievers can cost $50 to $100 but can save the day.
22. Insurance
    Wedding insurance, which covers cancellations, weather, or damages, typically costs between $100 and $500.
23. Dance Lessons
    If you want to wow your guests with a choreographed first dance, expect to pay $50 to $100 per session for professional lessons.
24. Wedding Dress Accessories
    Accessories like veils, shoes, jewelry, and shapewear can easily add $200 to $1,000 to your total costs, depending on the brands and materials you choose.
25. Bathroom Amenities
    For outdoor or large venues, providing luxury portable restrooms or stocking bathrooms with toiletries can cost $100 to $500, depending on the scale.

How to Avoid Being Caught Off Guard

1. Create a cushion: Add an extra 10-15% to your budget to cover unexpected costs.
2. Use a wedding budget tracker: Tools like Tulle Together can help you account for every line item.
3. Ask vendors for full costs: Confirm if there are additional fees for setup, delivery, or overtime.

Planning a wedding is challenging enough – when you factor in all the extra expenses that pile up, it can feel overwhelming to keep track of everything! By building in a buffer, estimating all the small expenses in advance, and reducing expenses elsewhere it’s possible to stay in budget. Sign up for TulleTogether.com to track all of your line items, big and small!