What's in a budget??

Hi there,

My fiance and I are going over our wedding budget, and we have the big categories covered (ie: venue, band, flowers, etc). We are wondering what expenses people have incurred that they were not expecting?

Thanks!

DOC
Invitations (we were going to DIY but decided to buy them instead)
Favors
Church fee
RH - we added a VH and hospitality hour
Seating Chart (instead of escort cards)
Table Numbers
DOJ
Headpiece

favors- we are doing mini photo frames for the place cards that will act as part of the favor, and we have a photo booth that they can put their picture in. We also have added the VH to our reception package, so we ordered little mini gable boxes and are having our guests take home goodies from VH

invitations- I was dead set on DIY-ing my invites, but I think I ended up spending about the same on them as if I was to have someone do them for me.

BP presents- didn't think of this at first when we booked everything. I bought my BMs DOJ, a black wristlet and am paying for their hair. For my MOH's I am also paying for their makeup. For the GMs, we got them personalized flasks that have an attached ciggarette/money holder, and we are giving them a bottle of their favorite liqour.

tips for vendors: be prepared to spend atleast 500 on your vendors, not including the $2-3 tip for maitre d plus the bridal attendant.

and all the little extras. I ending up buying L.O.V.E letters, and painted them, and we got a channa plaque. I am having a peacock feather themed wedding, so I bought 200 peacock feathers too.

This is all I can think of right now, but I'm sure I'll end up adding more.

HTH

Not all of these are 100% necessary. The BIGGEST expense alot of couples forget about is TIPS!! We spent about 2k in tips so budget it in!

RH
Ceremony
Officiant (if needed)
Music for ceremony (if not provided)
Aisle runner
Pre cana (if you're Catholic)
Flowers
Limos
Photo
Video
Dress
Dress accessories (veil and headpiece)
Alterations
Shoes
Garter
Undergarments
Day of jewelry
Day of purse/bag
Music (DJ or Band)
Tux
DOC
Invitations
Flowers
Menus, placecards, table numbers, programs
Save the dates
Hair
Make up
Hair and Makeup Trials
Favors
Rings
Ring cleaning/re dipping before wedding
Attendants gifts
parents gifts
Rehersal dinner
Honeymoon
Airfare for HM
Slipper basket
Card box
Baskets for programs, slipper basket, etc.
Bubbles/Birdseed/whatever is thrown at church
Wedding night hotel
Transporation to and from airport for HM
Gifts for each other (if you're doing)
Linens (if RH doesnt provide or you want extras)
Tips (Maitre'd, DOC, Limo driver, DJ, MC, etc)
After party (we rented a room and got food catered)
Boxes for VH hour (if you have one)
Breakfast for BP in the morning
Bachelor and Bachelorette party expenses

wow... talk about an extensive list! i am literally going thru this item by item - i'm sure if i do, i won't leave anything out!

thanks! :)

Check out the knot for the budget calculator.

Theres also an awesome spreadsheet on google if you search templates for Wedding Budget Estimator Google Template. I can send you the file I downloaded if you want.

Vendor/Service/Item
Reception Hall
Ceremony Music/Cocktail Hour Music
DJ/Percussionist/Sax/Photobooth etc.
Flowers
Limos/Party Bus
Wedding Rings
Kleinfelds (Dress/Veil/Headpiece/Alterations)
Tuxedo
Hair/Makeup/Nails
Photography
Videography
Hotel
Honeymoon
Invitations/Postage/Calligraphy
Paper Goods (Programs/Menus)
Yarmulkes
Guys Bridal Party Gifts
Girls Bridal Party Gifts

not just the favors but also if you have to wrap the favors or get any types of printed bows for them.

Hair and make up trials