Weddings are an undeniably fun affair, but they don’t come without expense. Besides the normal wedding services and vendors that you account for in your wedding budget (like venue, food and attire to name a few) there are additional costs that come with weddings. Many couples don’t prepare for this added cost, which sometimes requires them to sacrifice on another vendor or take out a personal loan to pay for all their wedding expenses. To help you better prepare for your wedding read on for four expenses you should plan for.
Postage
Postage cost can add up quickly since every invitation you send out requires two stamps. One stamp goes on the RSVP envelope and the other on the invitation itself.You will also need to consider any invitations that you will need to send across countries since international postage costs even more.
Taxes, Service Charges & Gratuities
You may settle on a price with your wedding vendors, but once you receive your contract there is more than what was discussed. You will have to pay sales tax and food tax. Some vendors may even charge a service fee, which covers the set-up and break down of their service. Not all will request gratuity on their contract, but it is etiquette that you provide certain vendors a tip.
Overtime Charges
When you book a wedding venue, caterer or any other wedding vendor you must agree on a start and end time for their service. Think about how much time you will need to perform your ceremony and celebrate with your guests to plan accordingly with your vendors. It may be a good idea to add some extra time in your contracts for a more reasonable price or be prepared to pay overtime charges.
Transport Round for Guests
If you have a lot of guests traveling to your wedding state, a transport round to the wedding venue is highly recommended. Hiring a shuttle service can be an absolute game-changer when it concerns your loved ones’ safety and convenience.
Written By: Shiv Nanda
Shiv Nanda is a financial analyst who currently lives in Bangalore and works with MoneyTap, India’s first app-based credit-line. Shiv is a true finance geek, and his friends love that. They always rely on him for advice on their investment choices, budgeting skills, personal financial matters and when they want to get a loan. He has made it his life’s mission to help and educate people on various financial topics, so email him your questions at shiv@moneytap.com.