Non Day-Of Wedding Expenses You Need To Plan For

Non day-of wedding expenses. They can creep up on you if you’re not prepared.

When couples start thinking about their wedding budget, their focus often falls on the big “day-of” costs. This may include their venue, catering, outfits, or décor. However, there is an equally important category of pre-wedding costs that often get underestimated. The expenses that happen before your wedding.

For example, you might have an engagement photo shoot, trial sessions for your hair and makeup, gown alterations, showers and parties, travel for the wedding, and much more. Failing to budget for non day-of wedding expenses can lead to overspending, trade-offs later on, or even debt. Knowing what to plan for is half the battle.

Non Day-Of Wedding Expenses You Need To Plan For

This post is going to share non day-of wedding expenses you need to plan for. The goal is to help you intentionally budget for these costs, save you from surprise expenses, and help you keep your overall budget in balance. The key is that you know the real cost of each wedding element, so you remain in control of your wedding spend.

Let’s get into it!

START WITH A FULL, ITEMIZED WEDDING BUDGET

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Before you do anything, you need to get it all out there.

Building a master budget spreadsheet is your friend. Or, if spreadsheets aren’t your jam, use a wedding budget planner (The Knot has a great one). On your list, include all categories, from what you will spend on your actual wedding day to non day-of expenses. This means setting up line items for:

• Engagement ring and wedding bands
• Pre-wedding photo shoots (engagement, save the dates, bridal portraits, plus the travel to locations, and the outfits you will wear for them)
• Hair and makeup trials (plus any travel needed)
• Dress/suit alteration trials (plus the costs of veils, jewelry, and shoes)
• Bridal showers, bridal brunches, engagement parties (travel expenses, thank you gifts for the hosts, and the outfits you will wear)
• Rehearsal dinners and welcome events (you may be paying for the events themselves, or add to décor, or you could have travel or outfit expenses)
• Miscellaneous “extras” or hidden costs (like event insurance, pre-wedding counseling, tips, or your marriage license)

Including these up front helps you see when your budget might be too tight and forces you to make trade-offs early on.

RINGS: SPEND SMARTLY

Wedding rings, and costs associated with engagement rings, are often overlooked non-day-of wedding expenses.

Not only is there the cost of the rings themselves, but you may have insurance, resizing, engraving, cleaning, or maintenance costs with rings. Sometimes these costs are included in the cost of the ring, sometimes not.

Some tips when it comes to paying for wedding rings:

• It might help to buy your wedding bands well ahead of the wedding, so the cost of them isn’t at the same time as the rest of your wedding day expenses.
• Be weary when it comes to financing rings, even with a zero-interest plan. There can be interest or hidden fees that don’t seem obvious at first.
• Look into manufactured diamonds if wedding rings are out of budget. Lab-grown diamonds can be a fraction of the price and have the same exact genetic makeup as natural diamonds.

The beautiful thing about paying for wedding rings is that you can plan ahead, and there is a ton of flexibility. Analyze your options, factor in associated costs, and spend early, if you can.

PRE-WEDDING PHOTO SHOOTS & PORTRAITS

Everyone knows that photography can be a huge wedding expense on your actual wedding day, but what about the photos before the wedding?

There are several non-day-of photography opportunities worth budgeting for:

• Engagement or couple portrait sessions (used for save-the-dates, announcements)
• Bridal or boudoir portraits
• Additional mini-sessions (e.g. seasonal or “just for fun”)

In some cases, the costs of these photos may be included with your wedding photography. However, you may also need to remember costs like travel expenses for the photographer, travel expenses for you, outfits for the photos, possible hair and makeup prior to the photos, and printing and framing the photos. Be sure to include these subtle costs in your overall budget so you’re not left with less than you anticipated for your actual wedding.

HAIR, MAKEUP, AND ATTIRE TRIALS AND COSTS

If you are having your hair and/or makeup done for your wedding, you have to have a trial beforehand. If only to ensure you don’t hate your look on your wedding day.

That said, test-runs are not always complimentary. Not only that, they aren’t always a one-time thing. You may want to go back a few times to get the look right.

Here are the non-day-of wedding expenses that can add up for hair, makeup, and attire:

• Hair / makeup trial fees, especially if you have to go back a few times
• Dress fitting alterations or embellishments
• The cost of jewelry, veils, hair accessories, shoes, and undergarments
• Travel for styling assistant fees
• The cost for you to travel to and from hair, makeup, and attire trials
• Additional styling for secondary looks (reception, change of dress)

The best time to account for all these costs is three to four months before your wedding. This will give you enough time to make adjustments, without cutting it too close. When you hire your hair and makeup artists, or order your gown, always ask about extra fees and things to consider so you can plan accordingly.

SHOWERS, ENGAGEMENT PARTIES, REHEARSAL DINNERS EXPENSES

Of all the non day-of wedding expenses, you may be thinking that showers, engagement parties, and rehearsal dinners should be the least of your worries. I mean, other people usually host them, right?

Yes, technically right.

However, you may still have some costs that come with engagement parties, showers, bachelorette or bachelor parties, rehearsal dinners, welcome brunches, or general pre-wedding events. In addition to possibly helping with renting spaces, providing food, décor, sending invitations, and gifting the hosts, you may also incur costs for accommodations, travel, outfits, and beauty treatments before the events.

To prepare for these expenses, carve out a portion of your wedding budget for these events. Additionally, keep your costs manageable by being reasonable in general. Low-cost venues can still be wonderful for gatherings. Staying close to home will cut costs for travel. Borrowing outfits or wearing what you already own will also save money. And, of course, always be clear with the hosts about what you are covering, and when.

HIDDEN COSTS & “SURPRISES” TO WATCH FOR

There are costs, and then there are hidden, surprise costs.

As mentioned throughout this post, there are often costs that are associated with events or wedding planning milestones. Common ones are travel, attire, or accommodations for you. Additionally, you may have insurance, permits, shipping fees, and taxes to consider. Because so many costs are due right before the wedding, plan ahead. The more you can take care of early on the better. Future you, the one experiencing your wedding day, will thank you.

TIPS TO STAY ON TRACK & REDUCE STRESS

There are a variety of ways to stay on track and reduce stress as you spend money on non-day-of wedding expenses, as well as plan for costs that will happen day-of.

• Skip what isn’t a priority for you. For example, bridal portraits may not be of interest. Skipping them will save you the cost of the outfit, travel, framing, and your own time.
• Phase your spending. As you estimate the costs of your wedding, also estimate when the money will be spent. You may find that your cash flow is best managed if you can take care of some costs well ahead of the wedding.
• Talk to your vendors. Speak candidly with your vendors about their full costs, any discounts they may offer, and what you can expect about when payment is due.
• Track everything. As money is spent, update your tracking system. Keeping your spending organized and visible will help you feel more in control.
• Review and rebalance what you spend. If you overspend in one category, adjust your budget for another. This will help keep your overall budget manageable.

NON-DAY-OF WEDDING EXPENSES YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR

Friends, there are many non day-of wedding expenses you need to plan for. However, it’s important to remember that you are in control. In control of what you want to spend your money on, what’s important to you, and what you are willing to compromise on or skip altogether. Knowing how much money you have to spend, and when you have to spend it, and the impact of every wedding choice is what puts you in the driver’s seat, well before your wedding day even happens. Happy wedding planning! 

More On Wedding Budgets From Hummingbird Wedding Advice 

The Real Cost Of Your Wedding Guest List

Wedding Budgets: What Engaged Couples Need To Know Before They Say “I Do”

How Much Should You Tip Wedding Vendors?

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