10 Hidden Cost of Throwing a Wedding

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Want to keep your wedding budget in check? Start by checking out this list of the 10 things that could end up costing you a lot more than you anticipated.




1. Cake Cutting Fee
Want a pastry chef that isn't affiliated with your venue to make your cake? "Well, there's a good chance your venue will charge you a few dollars per slice to cut it and plate it," says Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events. "If you're having 150 guests this could cost you well over $300."




2. Delivery Charges
Yes, almost everyone has a delivery fee, but you'll want to make sure that their warehouse is in your area, advises Katrina McCullum of Made of Honor Weddings. "A company can have a local office, but deliveries may be out of town and charge twice the amount as another 'local' company. Check to see if they double charge for deliveries over the weekend versus if they dropped off or picked up on a Friday or Monday."




3. Corkage Fee
Why hire a bartender when you can simply bring your own wine? Corkage fees, that's why. "Be careful and ask your venue or caterer if will there be a corkage fee per bottle," recommends McCullum. "Like the cake cutting fee, this can add up quickly if you aren't expecting it."




4. Administrative Fee
According to wedding planner Karen Brown of Karen Brown NY, an extra cost that catches many couples by surprise is the administrative fee, which is usually somewhere around 20 percent, tacked on to the final bill. On top of that, you've also got gratuity and taxes.




5. Coat Check Fee
If you're getting married during the winter months, be sure to budget for a coat check, says Brown. "This can be an additional $300+ and most clients expect that this would be included in the venue cost." However, it's probably not.






6. Transportation Cost
Transportation is another area in which couples are not prepared to spend extra dollars, points out Atlanta-based event planner Gail Johnson of Gail Johnson Weddings and Events. "Couples say, 'I only need a vintage car or limo for one hour'. What they don't know is that most companies have a three or four hour minimum, as well as gratuity, tax and charges if the destination is not within a certain perimeter or area."




7. Power Drop Charge
One of the least obvious costs when planning a wedding is the charge for a power drop, notes Florida-based wedding planner Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner. "Most historical spaces and even many hotel ballrooms were not built with enough amperage to power a band, specialty lighting or sometimes even a DJ. If a generator and cables needs to be brought in to add power, this can come with a hefty price tag, especially if it's the type of generator that isn't enormous or makes a lot of noise"




8. Postage Fees
"While just a small cost per piece, postage can really add up with save the dates, invitations and RSVP cards, especially if they are custom," points out Kristin Alexander of Esoteric Events. Remember: The heavier the weight of your paper products the more the postage for them will cost.




9. Seamstress Services
"Once a bride chooses her dream gown, she often forgets that the cost to get it to fit perfectly can be high," explains consumer and money saving expert Andrea Woroch." Generally, brides are looking at $500 for alterations." She suggests searching for a seamstress you trust and not skimping on quality because a botch job can cost you more in the long run, both financially and emotionally, particularly if time is limited.




10. Overtime Charges
You're having a blast with your friends, family and new spouse, so you decide to stay and party a little longer. Sounds great, right? If you're willing to pay the overtime charges it is. "Beware that most vendors and venues have an overtime fee clause," warns Stefany Allongo, founder of The Majestic Vision: Wedding and Event Planning Services. These fees can range depending on the vendor, but could add up quickly when you ask everyone to stay. If you have a feeling that you will want to extend, talk to your vendors ahead of time to negotiate the extension fee and add it to your contract," she recommends.