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While crafting your budget, it's crucial to consider not only the obvious costs but also the unexpected expenses that might pop up along the way. Throughout your engagement, it can be easy to become overwhelmed as the costs begin to add up. **This post contains a list of commonly forgotten expenses when planning a wedding, so you can add them to your budget from the beginning!**

Postage: It's easy to forget that the beautiful invitations you chose and designed need postage. Factor in the cost of mailing your save-the-dates, invitations, and thank-you cards to your budget to avoid a last-minute surprise. If you have chosen an elaborate invitation suite (such as a unique shape, a ribbon bow, extra thick paper, or wax seals) stop in to your local post office with a sample to inquire about the postage you will need to purchase to cover the cost of mailing the invites. This ensures they do not get rejected causing you to need to resend them- or worse- repurchase the invited entirely because they weren’t returned to sender!
Newlywed Wedding Night Hotel: After the festivities wind down, you and your new spouse will need a hotel room to retreat to. Some hotels will offer a free night (or 2-night) stay for the bride and groom with a hotel block exceeding a certain number of guests. This is a great thing to inquire about when you tour hotels for your guests!
Transportation for Wedding Party and Newlyweds: It is a typical wedding task to book transportation for the wedding party, bride, and groom between the ceremony and reception - but have you considered how you will all get to the venue in the morning? Whether it consists of having family or a friend chauffeur everyone on the morning of, you use Uber, or a fancy limo, don’t forget to add it to the budget to ensure everyone arrives comfortably and on time! In addition, do not forget to plan a way for yourself and your new spouse to return to your hotel on the night of your wedding.
Additional Vendor Hours: This can come into play if you booked vendors before solidifying your timeline, you may find you need your photographer or videographer for more time to accommodate the shots you want to capture. You can anticipate this possibility and allocate funds for potential overtime.
Venue Insurance: When touring venues, many of the ones we looked at required venue insurance. For the venue we chose, they provided the insurance through a third party and it was $185. For additional questions to ask your venue before saying "yes”, see this post: SAYING ‘I DO’ TO THE PERFECT VENUE: QUESTIONS TO ASK EVERY WEDDING VENUE YOU TOUR
Food and Drinks for the Morning of the Wedding: Don't forget about the most important meal of the day! Budget for breakfast and lunch for yourself and your bridal party to keep everyone fueled and energized during the preparations. This can be ordering ahead in bulk from a local grocery store, Sam’s Club, or Costco, or ordering catering through a restaurant. Be sure to include food/snacks for everyone who may be spending the morning and afternoon at the venue- bride, groom, family, wedding party, etc. We included extra for our vendors who were there in the morning too! If there are special beverages you want such as mimosas, lattes, etc. be sure to factor this into the budget too.
Alterations: Wedding attire alterations are often necessary, and their costs can vary. Include alterations in your budget to ensure your dress and suit fit flawlessly. In addition to alterations, some wedding gown materials will need to be professionally steamed to have them looking picture-perfect on the morning of!
Bridal Prep: From tanning to manicures, the costs of bridal prep can accumulate. Factor in all grooming and beauty treatments, including facials and haircuts, to achieve that perfect bridal look.
Marriage License Fee: Obtaining a marriage license is a vital step, and it comes with a fee. Research the requirements in your location and include this cost in your budget. If you attend premarital counseling, you may qualify for a discount in many states!
Additional Venue Staff: When touring and receiving detailed quotes from venues, we noticed many charged beyond their packages for additional venue staff that was required by them. This included bar tenders, valet, and security. Make sure to get an itemized quote from the venues you tour to ensure you know all the costs before signing their contract.
Hiring an Outside Day-of Coordinator: Hiring an external coordinator can alleviate stress and ensure every detail is meticulously managed on your big day. While you may prefer to save funds and opt not to have one, many venues are requiring you have one for your big day. If this is the case and it is not in budget, see if you can have a trusted family member fill this role for you, such as an aunt or cousin who is not in the wedding party.
Vendor Trials: Trials for food, cake, floral arrangements, and hair and makeup are essential to achieving your desired results and although you may not deem some of these necessary, your vendors may require them at an additional cost. Include these trial costs in your budget to avoid surprises later on.
Gratuity: Often overlooked but incredibly important, budgeting for gratuities is a courteous way to thank the many individuals who contribute to making your wedding day memorable. From catering staff and hair stylists to transportation providers and venue personnel, plan ahead for gratuity to express your appreciation for their hard work. Beyond providing a tip, writing a review for your vendors online can go a long way to show your appreciation!
Post-Wedding Purchases: Once the confetti settles, you might want to invest in preserving your bouquet or creating a stunning photo album. Plan for these post-wedding purchases to capture and cherish the memories.

By accounting for these often-overlooked costs in your budget, you're setting the stage for a celebration that's not only beautiful but also financially stress-free. Happy planning!

Browse some of my favorite post-wedding purchases below: