REVEALED: 16 Hidden Wedding Expenses

You probably don’t know there are number of costs you didn’t budget for in your upcoming wedding! The days preceding your big day should be fun, so is your married life. You shouldn’t run into debt just because of a day. Before the bills start coming in, you need a shock therapy. 

These hidden fees can be avoided or at least minimised. So let’s get started.

• UNINVITED GUESTS – in South West Nigeria, we call them ‘mo gbo, mo ya’. Such guests just bump in without you inviting them. They could be some ‘long lost’ distant relative you have always heard your parents talk about but you never met. How about your girlfriend from secondary school bringing in two additional guests you do not know just to keep her company at your wedding? So what can you do about such unplanned-for guests? We are in a society where using a bouncer at your wedding sounds awkward or having a ‘strictly-by-invitation’ wedding means you are proud.  Plan ahead for extra guests; print out two hundred IVs if you are planning for a thousand guests. Keep in mind: this is Naija!
• SMS – in addition to printing the regular wedding stationery, sending out bulk SMS isn’t a bad idea. You are wondering: doesn’t that contradict the first point? Definitely no! There are friends you have in mind to invite who ain’t within reach. Ditch postal service, this is Naija! Using the regular SMS service is quite expensive because you would be sending messages across networks. So using a bulk SMS service is a lot more cheaper and a naira saver.
• BREAKDOWN/CLEANING UP FEES – this is very important. After using a wedding venue the previous day, I don’t expect you or your new spouse to come back to clean up the mess or remove decor! Okay, so who does it? When booking your caterer, decorator and venue, all such should have been sorted out.
• RENTAL TRANSPORT – this really can be hidden unless you ironed things out previously. The caterer may bill you for the cost of transportation. If you are using an outdoor arena, you may have to bear the cost of bringing in tents, tables and chairs. Learn to ask questions before signing contracts.
• OVERTIME CHARGES – so the ceremony is over, your guests or even, you are having a good time dancing away at the reception. You booked to use the venue for three hours and now you are running late. You may have to pay overtime charges for the venue, photographer and musician. What to do? Do not allow the MC waste time, hand him the agenda of the day with time frame. You want to dance more? Save that for your hubby as a lap dance at night.
• SERVICE CHARGES/CORKAGE FEES – if you are using a venue such as a hotel that has its own hall, you might be asked to use an in house caterer. Failure to use that, you would be required to pay service charge on food and drinks brought into the venue.  What to do? Using the in house caterer isn’t bad. Just weigh the pros and cons
• CHURCH FEES – everyone wants a holy matrimony, isn’t it? I was flabbergasted (couldn’t think of a lighter word) when I heard a couple of churches demand that intending couples buy something for the church or donate towards an on-going project in the church in order to have the union formalised in the church. So maybe your church doesn’t require that, you may need to give the officiant at your wedding an honorarium for a wonderful sermon. Not to forget that if you would be in church for thanksgiving after the wedding day, you are meant to drop a thanksgiving offering. If you haven’t added that into the budget, quickly do so.
• MUSIC EQUIPMENT – when you booked the musician or live band, the contract basically included the musician’s time and equipment. How about transporting the equipment to the venue and extra equipment he has to hire? By now, you should be used to asking questions and clarifications before signing contracts.
• GOWN PRESERVATION – so now you have your wedding gown delivered and it fits on you perfectly, right? So what happens to it when you remove it on the wedding night? Don’t tell me you’re going to deep that gorgeous gown in water yourself. Are you kidding me? After spending so much on the gown and accessories, including gown cleaning/preservation isn’t too much. Designate someone – your MOH or younger sis to take your wedding dress to the dry cleaners. Be sure to have researched well; not all dry cleaners can handle wedding dresses. Just make sure you use the right professional and save your dress from rodents, pest, water or dust. You can then give it away, donate it, rent it out or sell it
• DAMAGES FOR VENUE HIRE – a deposit for damages could be charged by your venue in case something gets spoilt in the venue. Clarify with the facility manager if it is a refundable fee or a non-refundable fee.
• FEEDING WEDDING VENDORS – if you have been involved in a wedding ceremony before, or any event like it, this shouldn’t be new. I am sure you didn’t think about that venue security man, the musical band members, the food servers, the decorator and his/her team members. These people can add up to the number of plates of food you would have to request the caterer to provide. Granted, it’s okay to give such people food on your day. They have been paid, why can’t they arrange food for themselves? Let each vendor know before time that you shall not be responsible for feeding them. And if you are generous enough to do so, let them know the number of plates available to each team. After all, they have been paid. All the same, this is Naija! There’s is love in sharing... there is peace in having your own. Lol!
• DELIVERY FEES – have you ordered your cake yet? Wait a moment. The wedding cake is very important on that day, if not for you, it is for me! I would be a huge comic relief to see you already gorgeously dressed, rushing down to the baker’s shop to pick up your cake. Very funny. Arrange with a relative, like a cousin or someone reliable to pick up the wedding cake. Else, have it delivered but, clarify if there would be a delivery fee. Your dress is something else that may be delivered. You may have to pay on-the-spot delivery fee for having your dress brought to you at home or at work. Clarify!
• WEDDING FAVOURS FOR GUESTS – this is a custom that has come to stay in our society. Handing out souvenirs to your guests in order to show your appreciation isn’t bad. Don’t be like that bride who had no souvenirs to give her guests. Thanks to her siblings who had a little something to share. But you should not run into debt just because you want to show gratitude. Give out what you can afford. After all, how many people bring wedding presents for the couple these days?
• TIPPING – I have no doubt you are a good-natured bride/groom. When that assistant to your seamstress delivers your dress, you may want to hand a few naira notes for transport. Yes, you have paid her boss but you just want to encourage this hardworking apprentice. How about the guy that was assigned to you by the car-hire company to drive you throughout the day? He is well-mannered and has good driving skills. Tipping him will encourage him. You had better set aside some cash in your budget for tipping.
• LINGERIE – hmmm! I love this part. Setting money aside to spend on purchasing sexy lingerie to wear on your first night with your husband is a great idea. You shouldn’t be wearing your regular underwear that night. Don’t be caught unawares. You may have to spend some good money. Groom, you can also surprise your bride in a new pair of sexy shorts.
• WEDDING PARTY GIFTS – I have attended a wedding where the bride didn’t have gifts to give her wedding party and girlfriends. You shouldn’t be like that bride. A little something is better than nothing at all. Include it in your budget.