I found a great article on The Knot about hidden wedding cost that a lot brides forget about when creating their budget!
1. Postage Stamps: Shipping costs vary considerably due to the weight and shape of your invitation. Oversized, awkwardly shaped and bulky invitation can cost as much as $2 each to mail.
Solution: Before getting all of your invitations printed, take a sample to the post office and get the cost to mail the invitation. If the cost is too high, you can make adjustments!
2. Wedding Dress Alterations: Your wedding dress will probably be the best fitting item you will ever wear and this is because the dress is tailored exclusively for you. But those alternations can really add up!
Solution: Ask about what the store charges for every alternation you may need before you purchase the gown. If need be, don't be afraid to take your dress to a less expensive seamtress to have the alternations done.
3. Photo/Video Overtime: Your wedding photographer/videographer is booked for a certain amount of time and once you extend past that time... well they start charging by the HOUR!! And the cost per hour can start at $250.
Solution: When planning the day, factor in extra time for getting dressed, travel time from one venue to the next, and taking photos. You'll get a realistic sense of how long everything should take. Refer to this when speaking with the vendor.
4. Welcome-Bay Delivery: Most hotels don't factor in a welcome-bag delivery fee when you block rooms. And they may fail to mention the rate unless you ask... they'll just add it to your final bill. They may even charge you a fee for holding the welcome bags if you drop them off before the guests arrive!
Solution: During the booking process, ask about the hotel's policy on receiving and delivering welcome bags to guests' rooms. It may be free or cheaper if they hand the bags out at the counter as guests check-in. If you don't want the extra charge, you can distribute them at the rehearsal dinner.
5. Rental Transport: You would assume that the rental company would include these extra fees in the price per-item cost. But one could only be so lucky!!
Solution: Ask the rental company what their shipping and packaging fees are up front... if the cost is too high for your budget, shop around a bit. You just might find that you'll actually save some money by renting items from a more expensive company that includes delivery costs at no extra charge.
6. Cake-cutting fee: If you use the cake provided by your reception site, the charge is typically wrapped into the cost. Going with an outside baker can jack up the price. Why? Because your venue's workers are responsible for slicing and serving each piece, then cleaning the dishes . This means... more work for their staff!!
Solution: Go with the site's cake baker. Don't worry... they'll likely be able to work with your vision. If you're set on a particular baker, then call your venue and inquire what the fee is before you sign the contract.
7. Gratuities: Many couples often think that the "service charge" is a tip for the event staff when it's actually an additional fee that the catering hall charges. For what? To cover their own cost for hiring servers. The service charge typically runs 15-20% of the event's total food and drink fee.
Solution: Once you get the proposed fee, add the service charge percentage so it's already accounted for before the event. The last thing you want is to get hit with an unexpectedly huge bill that just about breaks the bank.
