When planning a wedding, the budget is always a factor. Whether you are on a tight budget or have a generous wedding spend, no one likes getting lumped with costs they weren’t expecting. Here are a few costs to prepare for that you may not have thought about.
Extra provisions
Always thoroughly read through every contract / terms of service document before signing the dotted line. There are often provisions in there, and additional fees that could apply to you. Charges may include parking or travel fees, hourly charges if the wedding runs a little late, or even cleaning fees. Always double check and ask your supplier if there is anything that is unclear.
Corkage or services fees
This is one that always slips through the cracks. You may have had the great idea of bringing in your own wine to save a few pennies, but always check for any additional fees that may increase that cost. Most venues or caterers will charge a corkage or service fee to cover the cost of their staff, glassware, licensing etc. Do the math and work out if it’s worth supplying your own, or if you’re better off allowing the venue / caterer to do this all for you, and save some of the effort from your end.
Catering fees
Similar to the above, check all of the charges applicable with any of the things you are wanting to have. In some situations, if you’re hiring external catering, they may request that you hire in additional cookware or appliances that they require. They are also likely to charge for any crockery or glassware that they will be supplying. In some cases this will all be inclusive, but it’s always a good idea to check exactly what you will be paying for before agreeing to a contract.
Crew meals
Without a doubt there will be at least a couple of crew members there on your wedding day, your photographer for example. It’s important that you allocate and supply a meal for them. The charge for this is normally less than the cost of a guest meal, however, check with your venue or caterer so you can account for it in your budget.
Overtime fees
While you’ve planned everything to the last detail, weddings don’t always go to plan, sometimes things will run a little behind schedule. In the case that it does, always check with your suppliers what the additional cost will be in the case they need to stay longer than expected, before the day. For example your photo booth, your photographer, your driver. You may not need to worry about it, but it’s always good to know so that you can make an informed decision on the day if it’s needed.
On the plus side, if you have a wedding planner, they will take care of all of this for you! We always read the fine print, and allow contingencies where needed to cover any additional costs.
Happy Planning! x