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Photo Credit: Shanna Guidry Photography

Hidden Wedding Expenses to Know About

Creating your wedding budget can be a daunting task. Once it’s created, you might think you’re in the clear for hidden wedding expenses. However, only putting big ticket items such as your food, venue, wedding dress, DJ and photographer in your wedding budget can be a mistake. The little things can add up quickly and before you know it, you will be applying for quick loans without credit check process in order to get out the debt you’re in, putting you well over your intended wedding budget. Make sure to add these hidden wedding expenses to your budget so there are no surprises down the road.

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  1. Tax, Tip & Fees

Your food and beverage contract may include hidden expenses that you aren’t aware of. Many catering companies and venues charge a service fee, gratuity and tax on top of your food and beverage cost. These typically run around 20% for a service fee, 18-20% for gratuity and 6-9% for the sales tax in your area.

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Photo Credit: Dreamlove Wedding Photography
  1. Stamps

If you’re like most couples and will be sending out save the dates, wedding invitations and rsvp cards, then you won’t want to leave postage off of your wedding budget. You’ll need to include the cost of 3 stamps for each household you are inviting to your wedding. Stamps currently cost $0.47/each, so that’s $1.41 per household. This can quickly amount to $100+ in your wedding budget.

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Photo Credit: Top Wedding
  1. Alterations

Wedding dress and suit or tuxedo alterations can cost an arm and a leg. The average wedding dress alterations cost around $500, with the average purchased suit or tuxedo alterations costing around $100.

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Photo Credit: Brides.com
  1. Delivery & Setup Fees

So you’ve having chiavari chairs, furniture groupings and specialty linens at your wedding reception? Unless you’ll be picking these items up, setting them up and returning them to the vendor, you’ll need to account for Shiply delivery and setup fees. Most rental companies will charge a coordinating fee for items that you rent for your wedding. Also, almost forgotten, check the air ducts for the reception, for proper ventilation where you can check it at air duct cleaning Houston tx.

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Photo Credit: Milou & Olin Photography
  1. Cake Cutting & Corkage Fees

Depending on your venue and/or caterer, you may be charged a cake cutting and corkage fee for your wedding. Many companies charge a $1-3/slice fee to cut and serve your wedding cake. If you’ll be bringing in your own alcohol to your wedding venue, they may also charge a corkage fee for outside drinks.

We have more wedding planning tips on our blog!