Marriage costs money! When planning your wedding, expect the costs to add up.
When comparable to other industries, the price tags for typical wedding costs are very hard to compare. Vendors, bakeries, and any wedding related business tend to disguise their prices to prevent comparisons and control what they charge each individual couple.
Fortunately for those in the marriage biz, they maintain their stronghold over the bloated prices due to no strict laws governing their industry, a couples’ willingness to overspend in this once in a life time event, and the bride-to-be’s wish to have the perfect wedding. Wedding related businesses appeal to the sentimental side of couples and make them easily let their guard down when talking costs. Maybe the bride absolutely must have the best wedding decorations for the reception.
Most wedding vendors or event places hold double standards for prices. When they discover that the event is a wedding, they increase the price tag. Also, most couples have little to no experience planning weddings. They have no clue about the prices unless they’ve been married before. Perhaps those who marry multiple times have truly mastered the wedding budget!
When calling wedding related businesses, they almost down right refuse to quote prices. They require couples or individuals to come in for a face-to-face consultation and interview process to inquire about their overall wedding budget. The highly customized nature of each wedding also lends wedding businesses an upper hand when determining prices.
Couples are blind when trying to plan and stick to a wedding budget. Despite these obstacles, perhaps a few of these tips will save you and your future spouse money. A little money saved on the wedding can go a long way to your future children’s college fund, extra spending cash on the honey moon, or towards the monthly mortgage payment of that new home.
Invest in Experienced Help
Brides, this may be your one and only wedding, but you must invest in help. Bring along your mom, married friends, or even a wedding planner who understands planning and managing a wedding budget. At least they’ll have somewhat of an idea about finances when visiting wedding businesses. Although more people come along to give advice, the final decision always rests with the couple.
Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
Wedding planning is not for the timid. If you tend to be the shy person, then bring along a seasoned negotiator who isn’t afraid to strike a bargain with the dress, food, reception location, and for every major cost. You don’t have to settle on the initial estimates.
Account for Every Penny
Maybe you want to have the best wedding ever, but don’t underestimate how each and every cost adds up. Here’s a list of the hidden costs that couples often overlook.
1. Guest Transportation
Maybe you think each guest who attends the wedding and reception should provide their own transportation. For every person to have an enjoyable experience, guest transportation is a great benefit. Keep everyone safe leaving the reception after they most likely drink more than enough to stop them from driving.
2. Wedding Day Meals
Yes, you’ve accounted for the reception meals, but what about the wedding party food costs. It’s even a practical idea to take into consideration breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the wedding party. In a stressful environment, empty stomachs make things worse.
3. Wedding Party Gifts
Don’t forget about the wedding party. Choosing small or moderately priced gifts show those individuals that you truly appreciate their effort and time making the wedding that much better. There are plenty of unique bridesmaid and different groomsmen gifts available if you don’t have a ton of time with the extensive plans.
4. Thank You Cards/Stationery
Surprisingly, paper costs can add up. You’ll need to purchase customized stationery for the wedding invitations, the rehearsal dinner invitations, the seating chart name cards, and the thank you notes as well for after the wedding. Stationery costs continue to haunt you even after the honeymoon.
5. Tips for the Reception Staff
The event location, food, cake, and open bar is paid for, but what about gratuity for the wait staff? Don’t worry about the bartenders, since they’ll accrue plenty of cash tips, but the wait and event staff isn’t always as fortunate.
Even though wedding businesses tend to leave you in the dark without itemized price lists, detail every penny for your wedding.
Photo courtesy of cvwg.com
