The absolute most stressful, frustrating thing about wedding planning: all those little things. The ones you forget and that pop up on you last minute and that inevitably cost you something. I pretty much made this blog so that you people wouldn’t bang your head against a wall the way I did. I want to arm you with everything you need to get out there and plan, so I would be remiss to not include this post!
It’s easy to be like “florist- check; venue- check, photographer, check.” What’s difficult is to visualize every single detail and remember to budget for it in advance so you don’t end up spending $10,000 in surprise costs. That’s why I tried to name as many of them as I can think of and if I think of more, I’ll add them in. That’s what the “+” is for in “50+.”
I’m not the love you and leave you type, guys. I’ll be back here adding as I think of them. If you want to really be a sweet, helpful friend of The IMOH, you’ll comment with something you forgot, and I’ll add it to the list!
If you want the free printable I made to accompany this post (it has all these items and is laid out so you can budget and record the actual prices, just put your email below and it will head straight to your inbox):
If you need more wedding budget tips, that link is to my big ol’ post on how to make one. I also like 10 pages of budget worksheets in my Ultimate Wedding Planning Binder.
Pro tip: regardless of this list, add at least $1000 extra dollars to your budget for “miscellaneous.” More things will pop up that are specific to your wedding, your venue, your religion even… just add it so you don’t have to pull from other portions of your budget when they arise.
Pre-Wedding Events
1. The bachelorette
2. The bachelor party
3. Bachelorette outfit(s)
4. Bachelor Party outfit(s)
5. Rehearsal dinner outfit(s)
6. Bridal shower outfit(s)
Beauty/ Grooming
7. Manicure/Pedicure
8. Spray tan
9. Facial
10. Haircut(s)
11. Men’s shave
12. Hair trial
13. Make up trial
Day-of Details
14. Getting ready venue
15. Getting ready food + drinks
16. Vendor tips
17. Vendor taxes
18. Vendor service charges
19. Vendor travel fees
20. Vendor overtime fees
21. Vendor meals
22. Vendor breakdown fees
23. Corkage fees
24. Cake cutting fees
25. Guestbook
26. Exit sparklers, confetti, etc.
27. Marriage unity candle
28. Candles, frames, signage, additional decor (both ceremony + reception)
29. Custom cake serving set
30. Escort cards/place cards
31. Programs
32. Menus
33. Lighting (both ceremony + reception)
34. Sound (both ceremony + reception)
35. Dance floor
Day-of Attire
36. Undergarments
37. Alterations
38. Accessories/jewelry
Gifts
39. Bridal party gifts (asking them AND day-of gifts)
40. Parent gifts
41. Bride/groom gifts (for each other)
42. Wedding favors
43. Welcome bags
Accommodations/Transportation
44. Hotel for wedding night (or beyond if a destination wedding)
45. Transportation for bridal party
46. Transportation for guests
Miscellaneous
47. Marriage License
48. Postage (save the dates, invites, return envelopes, showers, thank you’s etc.)
49. Thank you cards (for all showers + wedding)
50. Preserving your dress
51. Weather back up plan
52. Wedding photo prints
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