Top 10 Hidden Wedding Costs You May Forget to Budget For

Footing the bill for a wedding is up there with putting down a house deposit, finally going on that fortnight long dream holiday, and preparing for a new addition to the family. There’s no getting around the fact that weddings are incredibly expensive no matter how long you’ve been saving, which is why many couples opt to start putting pockets aside years in advance to ensure they’re as prepared as they can be.

Choosing the wedding venue, securing the catering, buying the dress… the list of big-ticket items goes on. But what many couples might not have thought about are the logistics and smaller costs that seem to spring up along the way.

This blog is here to help avoid ‘bill shock’, by uncovering some of those hidden wedding costs you might have forgotten to budget for. Check out our top 10 list below.

1. Wedding Favours
2. Furniture Hire
3. Supplier Logistics
4. Real Flowers
5. Alcohol
6. Live Entertainment
7. Tailoring
8. Tipping & Staff Costs
9. Venue Transportation
10. Trials, Testers & Tastings

1. Wedding Favours

It’s not customary to give your guests gifts for attending your wedding, but it is a kind gesture to show appreciation for them choosing to make the effort to be there for an important moment in your life. Wedding favours can be as budget-friendly as a handwritten note, as silly as a packet of sweets, or as sentimental as a photo of you together.

If you want to express an extra token of gratitude for your bridal party, keep in mind that prices can rack up quickly even for the smallest presents when shopping for a handful of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Establish your total budget so that you can allocate an individual spend per person.

2. Furniture Hire

Furniture hire is generally more expensive than people think, so leave an adequate chunk of your budget to cover it. Some venues will provide all the essentials such as tables, chairs, tablecloths and cutlery – such as right here at Canvas House. But if you’re hiring a less traditional space, renting these items in large quantities might make you want to think twice about whether you’re actually saving money with DIY venues.

For an extra 25% – 30% markup, some rental companies will allow you to inspect furniture before you commit to anything. Beyond the basics, consider whether you want any other party rentals. A smoke machine? A disco ball? All these finer details will add to the ambience… but they’ll also add to the total cost!

3. Supplier Logistics

If you’re working with suppliers to rent, transport, install and pack down your furniture and equipment, you also need to consider the costs associated with this service, such as extra charges for picking up equipment late. Always check with your venue on their requirements when it comes to third-party suppliers to make sure you’re not stung at the end of the night, or whether there are any policies regarding rental agreements you need to be aware of.

Ideally, your suppliers can come back the following day, or even after the weekend to pick up their gear. Ascertain whether the number of hours or set dates you’re hiring the equipment for is negotiable, and can be extended if necessary (as well as whether you can afford it). There would be nothing worse than someone pulling the plug on your sound system mid-way through your favourite track because you’ve gone past your agreed rental!

4. Real Flowers

Flowers can turn a pretty wedding into a stunning one. And, we’ll say it, you just can’t beat real flowers. A floral aroma and bright bouquet is a beautifully delicate addition to any wedding style, but it will come at a cost. Flowers are notoriously pricey, but a sparsely decorated table won’t look great either, so make sure you do your research on the most economical and most expensive stems.

If you are intent on using fake flowers, make sure you find a supplier who’s experienced in the art of floral arranging to ensure you still achieve the same effect. The team at Canvas House can put you in touch with local suppliers we’ve worked with previously, as well as give you an idea of realistic floral expectations and budgets to consider.

5. Alcohol

People like to let their hair down at a wedding, and if you’ve decided you’d like to cover at least some of the alcohol provided, it’s easy to underestimate how much your guests will drink to celebrate. Having an open bar might seem like the most generous way to go about things, but the bar figure can skyrocket very quickly into a number that’s much higher than you imagined.

As a general rule, allocate enough for one drink per hour per guest. If you’re planning a limited open bar, you can set a theoretical limit, such as ‘$25 – $50 per guest’. Most receptions last between five and six hours, so you can work out a total that doesn’t seem completely arbitrary.

In Australia, home to some of the world’s best wines, speak to your venue to see if you can source local suppliers that might knock off some upfront wedding costs, and save you on delivery too.

6. Live Entertainment

The music at your wedding can set the stage for a roaring dancefloor, or leave your guests grasping for tissues. Ideally, you’ll have both. But if you’re considering hiring musicians, dancers, or any other kind of real-life entertainment, make sure you’re leaving a significant amount of room in your budget.

Hiring a live band can cost $3,000 at a minimum, and although the experience is sure to be worth it – you don’t want to find yourself falling short of what you should hope to be the greatest party of your life! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box either. We’ve hosted Welsh choirs, acrobatic dancers and every other kind of talent you can think of at weddings that have been truly unique and unforgettable.

7. Tailoring

Wedding dresses and suits can be one of the most costly elements of wedding budgeting, however, tailoring is a hidden cost that eats up a large sum too. For a day when all eyes will be on you, you want your attire to fit perfectly – which is why almost all brides and grooms opt for some form of tailoring.

As professional event planners, we can confidently say that nothing looks quite so bad as an ill-fitting suit. This applies not just to any groom, but also the groomsmen. You might wish to provide tailoring for your bridesmaids, mother and father of the bride or groom, and anybody else in your bridal party, so ask for quotes before you commit to the full service.

8. Tipping & Staff Costs

Whilst the staff working the reception at your wedding venue will likely be paid hourly and may have prior meal arrangements, it’s common courtesy to feed all those who are participating in pulling off the wedding of your dreams. Whether that’s a team of two or twenty, you should include these figures in your catering costs to make sure there’s enough to feed all who are attending your wedding in some capacity.

Alongside this, tipping the waiters, vendors, suppliers, bar staff, photographers and others who’ve put in the hours is a thoughtful gesture. Weddings are hard work, and all that effort put into creating a seamless day requires careful planning and execution. If you’re offering a small gratuity, make sure you’ve factored in how many people you need to remunerate.

9. Venue Transportation

You might have already budgeted for your Rolls Royce, stretch limo, horse drawn carriage or other form of transport to whisk you and your beloved off to your wedding reception… But what about your guests!

It won’t be much of a party if your wedding venue is located in a hard-to-find remote area, or a spot where affordable parking is anywhere but available. Whilst it’s generally considered your guests’ responsibility to cart themselves to your big day, shuttles from the nearest hotels or alternative travel arrangements will be greatly appreciated by your guests, and help ensure no one gets lost or left behind!

10. Trials, Testers & Tastings

For your fairytale day, it’s important to take a leaf out of Goldilocks’ book, and make sure you try everything until it’s ‘just right.’ You might want to trial your wedding hair and make up, the food and wine you’ll be serving, or witness a demo from your booked entertainment. Most of these vendors will charge you for their time, even if you decide not to go ahead with them.

Don’t forget to factor in transport costs when scouting for a venue. Although of course, if you’re looking for a beautiful spot just outside of Melbourne’s CBD, you can host your reception at our stunning venue hire space that’s the perfect size and style for weddings.

Hidden Wedding Costs: Better In Your Budget

Well… now you know. Hidden costs can be an unwelcome guest at your wedding, but only if you’re not prepared to have a seat saved. In this blog, we’ve taken you through 10 common costs couples forget to budget for when planning their wedding.

For more expert wedding planning tips, from choosing between two themes you love to professional catering tricks, speak to our team today. Our dedicated event planners have decades of experience in hosting weddings and all other events, so they’re able to offer plenty more practical advice that you might not have considered in the run up to your big day.

If you’re looking for a Melbourne wedding venue that cuts out the hidden costs, or simply want to learn more about our space, contact us today with your inquiry.