Hidden Wedding Costs in the UK are a real pet peeve for me, you find the venue of your dreams and think its well within your budget, and then you find by reading through the small print that there are all these little extras. £2 a head here for choosing their recommended caterers, £300 there for not using their recommend caterers. This is a real example of what I have found, so beware!

First and Foremost

Check those terms and conditions THOROUGHLY! If you don’t understand something, then absolutely go back and CLARIFY. Do not sign things if you do not understand it.

Discretionary

If something is discretionary, then it is NOT compulsory, some venues will add on a service charge which I personally believe should be up to me if I see fit to tip, and I think I am paying quite enough to not warrant a tip!

VAT

Do check if your quote has had the VAT applied, 20% is a big difference!

What’s Included

This is a big one, get absolute clarification on what is included in your venue hire. Are the tables and chairs? Is the linen, cutlery, glassware? To not take for granted what you THINK is or should be included, every venue is different.

Also consider that they may charge Corkage and Cake Cutting fees.

Registrar/Celebrant Fees

Do not forget this is your responsibility to book and pay! There is a ‘Giving Notice Fee’ which is around £35pp and then the fee for the registrars to come out to your venue – around £600. If you are having a register office ceremony that fee is about half. Another alternative is to have the statutory ceremony which is around £70 and then have a celebrant ceremony which is a beautiful alternative as the ceremony will be written especially for you and is completely bespoke for around the same price* [*Depending on county and individual celebrant fees]

NB: These prices are approximate, and you should absolutely check with your own local authority and independent celebrant where appropriate.

Décor

Some venues [Cheekily in my opinion] will tell you that they can provide the chairs, but these chairs will NEED some sort of cover [you know the ones I mean, bright red ugly chairs] so they will either charge you for the covers [now c’mon sister, we do not love a chair cover!!!] or you will need to hire your own.

Also consider delivery charges for any hire items.

Postage

I feel the need to add this one in as it can be so expensive to send out your save the dates and then the invites themselves and do not forget; if you have a wax seal on the back, this may not be a standard stamp! Take to the post office to double check and be sure.

Alterations

Most dress shops will not include alterations, depending on what needs altering this can range from a £100 to several hundreds.

Clean Up

Most venues will include this in the price but if you are doing it all yourself then do not forget this as a cost and also as a logistic.

Ultimately, check and check again to be sure that there are no surprises. I mean, we all love a surprise, right? Just never this kind!!!!

For more tips, come on over to my Pinterest for more.

Or go to HERE for some Budget Hacks.