What to Include in Your Wedding Budget: 12 Things You May Miss

Planning your wedding budget can be a stressful process! From stationery and flowers to photography, it can be easy to miss things as there are so many categories. To help you out, we put together a list of 12 items that are often missed, but are important parts of your wedding budget.

1. Postage/stationery

This includes save the dates, invitation suites, RSVPs, postage, and thank you notes. It also includes day of stationery/signage like a welcome sign, bar sign, seating chart, table numbers, menus, place cards, etc. Using stationery and signage is an easy way to incorporate custom, unique touches in your big day and help save money in your wedding budget.

2. Tipping your vendors

We always suggest that couples put their tips in separate, labeled envelopes. We can hand them out to vendors for you on the day-of. Learn more about tipping etiquette here.

3. Gifts

This includes gifts to each other, your parents/siblings, and wedding party.

4. Bar upgrades

Most bar packages include basic things, but items like signature cocktails, specific liquors/mixers, glassware, custom napkins, cups, stir sticks, etc. may incur additional fees.

5. Clean up/strike fees

There may be fees for floral tear down, trash removal, or rental pick up so make sure you are aware of those.

6. Bridal accessories

This includes veils, capes, belts, jackets, hats, jewelry, hair pieces, shoes, gloves, etc.

7. Delivery and travel fees

Most vendors will require that their clients pay an additional travel fee depending on the distance your ceremony or reception is from their home/office. Also anything that needs to be delivered on the day of the wedding (i.e. rentals, cake, flowers, etc.) will require a delivery fee, so these additional fees are important to factor into your wedding budget.

8. Alterations

Most attire will require some alterations, so make sure to factor alterations into the budget for dresses, suits, bridesmaids/groomsmen, mother of the bride dress, flower girl, etc.

9. Transportation

Some venues in Colorado require a transportation company if they have minimal parking and are located in the mountains. If your budget permits, hiring multiple vehicles with extra space is a good idea to ensure everyone is comfortable and has a ride.

10. Lodging

You’ll need to account for lodging for the couple, family/friends, and possibly vendors.

11. Cake fees

Most catering companies will charge a cake cutting fee.  You’ll also need to consider adding in cake accessories like a cake stand, knife/server, topper, flowers, additional desserts, and display items to the wedding budget.

12. Printing your wedding photos

While this is a fee for after the wedding, it’s a good idea to incorporate it into your wedding budget as having prints of your big day is such a special thing to have!

As we mentioned, there are a lot of different categories in a wedding budget, but we find that these are 12 things that are often overlooked and can add up quickly if you’re not including them in your wedding budget. By accounting for them in the beginning, it will ensure that fewer unexpected expenses pop up throughout the planning process. If you’re looking for help in managing your wedding budget, we would love to help you!