With so many things to organize for your wedding, it’s easy to forget little details that can add up fast. When determining your budget, consider these expenses:
Extra meals
When calculating catering expenses and the potential headcount for your wedding celebration, be sure to include you and your fiancé. Additionally, consider vendors who will request a meal for your celebration (i.e. photographer, band members, DJ, coordinator, etc.)
Photo by Catalina Jean Photography
Marriage license
Don’t forget your license to love! In the state of Oregon, marriage applications must be received 60 days prior to your wedding day with a non-refundable $60 marriage license fee. After your license has been issued, Oregon has a three-day waiting period before you can officially walk down the aisle. The waiting period can be waived, but it still involves filling out a waiver form with an additional $10 in cash. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this, but also don’t do it too far in advance. A marriage license is valid for 60 days, so getting your marriage license more than two months before your wedding date will not be usable.
Transportation for guests
At some point during your wedding, your guests will have to travel. Walking is great, however, other modes of transport such as taxis, buses, or cars will likely come into play during your festivities. Although it’s not necessary for you to provide transportation, it’s a thoughtful addition your guests will appreciate. Here in Portland, we have some diverse transportation options such as Pedicab, Lyft, Uber, Double Decker PDX and TriMet public transportation system.
Day-of food for the wedding party
You and your wedding party will be spending the day getting ready. It’s important to eat, so be sure to have something planned for yourself and the wedding party. We recommend ordering fresh and delicious food via a drop-off catering service prior to your wedding day.
You’ll thank yourself in the long run for thinking ahead!
f&b cafe and catering
Liability insurance
Most venues require you to carry single-event liability insurance. This coverage is designed to protect you against unforeseen incidents such as injury or alcohol-related accidents. Depending on the coverage you need, liability insurance usually ranges from $125 to $400.
Gratuities
It might be confusing which vendors you should tip for your wedding. Make sure to read the contracts and see which have gratuity already included. Consider providing tips prior to your wedding day to if they aren’t included. If that’s not an option, prepare tip envelopes prior to your wedding to give to your vendors. Here’s a helpful guide to wedding tipping.
Postage
Don’t forget about postage fees for save-the-date cards, invitations, and thank you notes. Depending on the weight and size of your invite, you can expect postage to cost $100+ when budgeting for your wedding.
Preparing for additional expenses will help keep you within your wedding budget and start you and your partner off in a positive financial direction after you’re married.