5 Hidden Wedding Costs You Shouldn’t Forget

One of the first things you’ll do when you begin planning your wedding will be setting a budget. Many couples find they go way beyond their original budget because of hidden costs that they didn’t plan for. It’s important to be aware of these potential costs and set a contingency fund within your budget to cover them. Here are five hidden wedding costs that you shouldn’t forget about:

Beauty Treatments

You will be allocating money in the budget for your hair and makeup for the wedding day itself, but don’t forget about trials for both of these, as well as any additional beauty treatments. Facials, tanning, manicures and pedicures and even a day at the spa to relax are all often forgotten hidden wedding costs, so try and build this into your contingency fund.

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Marriage Licence and Ceremony Fees

You need to register your intention to marry in Ireland at least three months before your wedding date, regardless of whether you are having a religious or non-religious ceremony. This is €200. If you are having a Catholic wedding, you’ll need to do a marriage preparation course, this is another €200. A donation is made to the priest/church for the ceremony itself – this amount varies, so if you’re unsure, just ask someone else who’s been married in your parish. If you’ve chosen a humanist or spiritual ceremony, there will be a fee for the officiant – generally between €400-600. You’ll also need to factor in a cost for your wedding candles.

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Postage

Many couples factor in a budget for invitations, but forget the hidden wedding cost of postage. This again will vary depending on the type and size of invitation. The weight of the full invitation in its envelope may lead to a higher postage cost, so ensure you get a sample of your wedding invitation and take it to the post office to be weighed, so you can calculate your exact cost. You’ll also need to remember this if you’re sending save the date cards, and thank you cards.

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Accommodation

In a lot of cases, one or even both sides of the couple will be from out of town, and will need accommodation for the night before the wedding. While many hotels offer complimentary accommodation for the bridal couple and often offer two additional rooms with that, many couples also pay for accommodation for their best man and maid of honour. If you decide to stay a second night after the wedding, this will be extra unless you have agreed it as part of your package.

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Alterations

When budgeting for your wedding dress, don’t forget to factor in the cost of alterations. This will be especially true if you’re planning to lose some weight between purchasing your dress and the date of the wedding. If you buy an off-the-rack or sample dress, you will more than likely need some alterations to ensure you are totally comfortable on your wedding day.

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