Source: Martha Stewart Weddings
Weddings are expensive, and most people are well aware of the costs related to planning a modern-day ceremony and reception. But until you’re the one who is actually getting married, you aren’t fully aware of all the teeny-tiny—as well as the substantial—expenses involved in the year, months, weeks, and days leading up to the big day. To make sure you’re in-the-know as you plan, we turned to top wedding planners to find out about the unforeseen wedding expenses that most couples don’t plan for.
Proposing to Your Wedding Party
It’s fairly common for the bride or groom to come up with a creative and endearing way to ask friends and family members to be part of the wedding party. “Special cards are given with cute poems, asking someone to be part of a bridal party,” Deb Erb, wedding and event planner at Simply Events Inc., says. “Unsuspecting friends receive a special package in the mail, and upon opening the box, find personalized gifts and confetti to ‘pop’ the question to be by the bride’s side on her special day.” As you can imagine, purchasing the items and décor, as well as the cost of sending them in the mail, can range anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more.
Hair and Makeup Trials
Most brides plan to hire a professional for their wedding-day hair and makeup, but forget to consider adding in the expenses of hair and makeup trials. “Bridal party hair and makeup for the wedding day usually runs $50 to $75 for bridesmaids and $125 to $150 for the bride,” says Erb. While the bride is often the only one who does a trial, she may opt to book multiple appointments to try several different styles.
Food for the Bridal Party
Most brides never think about eating something on their wedding day (other than the menu for their well-planned reception). “It’s usually realized last minute, and the bride, her mom, or bridesmaids are trying to decide what food should be made available for both breakfast and lunch,” explains Erb. “Full course meals are not necessary, but you want your bridal party to get some protein and stay hydrated prior to the ceremony.” No one wants to see a domino effect of bridesmaids fainting at the altar.
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