Before finalizing your budget, review these unexpected wedding expenses to ensure everything is covered.
When setting your wedding budget, there are so many details to juggle that it’s easy for unexpected wedding expenses to slip through the cracks. Even with the best budgeting tool, it’s hard to keep track of every little thing, especially when things don’t go as planned or when you assume someone else will pay for it. So, before finalizing your budget, review these unexpected wedding expenses to ensure everything is covered.
Proposing to Your Bridal Party
It’s time to make it official! You’re engaged, and you’re ready to ask your best friends to stand by you for one of the biggest moments in your life. Your ladies deserve to be wooed after having them by your side through thick and thin. Find something special that matches your relationship and their personalities. There are cute ways to ask your loved ones to join your bridal party. Some brides put together a goodie box with face masks, small perfumes, and a card popping “the question.”
Feeding Your Bridesmaids
Most brides are so preoccupied with making sure their wedding day goes off without a hitch they forget to eat! Getting ready usually takes many hours. Even if the bride is too nervous to eat, their bridesmaids are likely on a scavenger hunt to find snacks.
The best thing? Plan ahead. If you’re trying to save some money, have a cooking party the day before. Put together a picnic or potluck where everyone has a dish to pass. This will save you from restaurant delivery fees and overpriced room service.
Hair & Makeup Trials
Before your wedding, be particular with the details. It’s recommended never to try something new. If you’re getting your hair colored before the wedding, have your color and the colorist picked out months in advance. Without serious research and trials, this is no time to experiment or switch salons.
Getting your hair styled is another expense that brides may not think about. The total cost of making appointments for trials can be hundreds. Take time to plan out any factors that go into making your hair “wedding day ready.” Don’t forget to factor in the cost of shiny locks. Include deep conditioning or hair gloss treatments. Spare no expense to make sure you’re looking and feeling your best.
Welcome Bags & Hotel Fees
Since many wedding guests come from out of town, arrange for guests to stay in hotels for the duration of the trip. Rooms cost a few thousand dollars, depending on how many guests you accommodate. Plan for these costs at the beginning of your budget process. Then, you can make adjustments in other areas if necessary. An easy way to get a discount on such a big expense is to open a hotel rewards credit card to earn free nights.
Putting the expense on travel reward credit cards may allow you to receive a large sign-up bonus. The points can earn you a discount on your honeymoon. Once guests begin to show up, it’s a courteous gesture to have a welcome bag waiting for them upon their arrival. The bag should contain water bottles, granola bars, a package of tissues, and the wedding itinerary. All are necessities they’ll thank you for later.
Guest Transportation
It’s becoming a popular safety measure for the bride and groom to arrange for guests’ transportation. This ensures guests arrive on time and enjoy cocktail hour without worrying about returning to the hotel.
Budgeting this into the initial cost of the wedding will better prepare you and allow you to be more relaxed when the special day finally arrives!
HISTORIC OAKLAND MANOR: THE PERFECT WEDDING VENUE
Nestled in a peaceful wooded area in the heart of downtown Columbia, Historic Oakland Manor stands proudly in natural splendor. Elegant Oakland is the perfect setting for ceremonies, wedding receptions, bridal showers, holiday parties, family celebrations, business meetings, or retreats. Schedule a tour today with our expert venue coordinators! Please call (410-730-4801), email ([email protected]), or visit our chat on our homepage to book a tour appointment.
