Preventing Unexpected Budget Additions! A Comprehensive List of Often Overlooked Items in Initial Estimates＊

2018.08.05 published

What Do You Want to Confirm After Receiving the Initial Estimate?

It’s common advice from those who have experienced weddings to "be prepared for the venue's estimate to increase."

Many reports indicate that the final bill has risen by 1 to 1.5 million yen from the initial estimate received during the venue visit.

For couples beginning their wedding preparations, being warned like this can make them wonder, "How much will this cost...?" and feel anxious about their upcoming wedding.

@romin_wedding

The initial estimate provided during the venue tour typically includes:

☑ Essential items (flowers, dresses, catering, etc.) at the minimum rank

☑ Non-essential items are generally excluded

This is often the case.

The initial estimate is simply a very basic plan aimed at “having a wedding in the simplest way possible.”

Therefore, depending on your hopes and ideals of "what kind of wedding you want," costs will start to add up with optional features.

This is a well-known story.

It’s similar to requesting additional nail art at a nail salon.

At a hair salon, it can be compared to not including the cost of optional treatments or highlights in the initial price.

@ke__wedding

But isn’t this obvious?

(It would be strange to include treatment costs in the color treatment fee from the start.)

So it makes sense that the amount increases significantly based on what you want,

However, this time I want to introduce items that are “absolutely necessary! Or items that everyone probably thinks are necessary but are not included in the initial estimate.”

@ke__wedding

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #1 Performances

Weddings often feature various performances during the ceremony and reception.

For example, common performances like a flower shower or a candle service.

Actually, these performances also incur costs based on the number of guests.

The cost for a flower shower is typically 300 to 500 yen per person, and for a candle service, it’s around 500 to 800 yen per person.

If you invite 80 guests, this would add between 24,000 and 64,000 yen.

However, not everyone chooses to have these, so they may not be included in the basic plan.

Additionally, for the flower shower, even if it’s included in the initial estimate,

it’s possible that only 40 out of 80 guest costs were added (meaning only one flower shower per two guests).

It’s essential to check the items and the number of participants thoroughly. ♩

@ikik_wd_0428

While it may be difficult to decide on all desired performances at the stage of receiving estimates, make sure to have any “must-haves” included in your budget from the start.

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #2 Floral Arrangements

Many brides have experienced significant increases in estimates for venue floral arrangements.

While the flowers for the head table, guest tables, and wedding bouquet are included in the initial estimate,

☑ Chapel flowers

☑ Cake flowers

☑ Microphone flowers

☑ Glass flowers

☑ Second wedding bouquet for the outfit change

☑ Bouquet for parents’ presentation

and other detailed floral arrangements are often not included.

Most venues do not allow outside flowers, and there are limits on what you can DIY, so it’s reassuring to have all flowers included in the initial estimate.

➡ So Many! A List of Types of Floral Arrangements Needed for Weddings Beyond Just the Head and Guest Tables＊

@ay0401w

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #3 Catering

One item that may not be included in the initial estimate for catering is the welcome drink.

The welcome drink is served to guests during their waiting time before the ceremony and reception begins.

Many venues consider the welcome drink an optional fee, yet most brides and grooms include it.

Costs range from 500 yen per person, and if you add finger foods, it could go up to 3,000 yen.

@romin_wedding

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #4 Photos and Videos

One commonly added item just before the wedding is related to photography.

The initial photography and video plan typically only includes an album without photo data and no videos, which is the simplest package.

☑ All photo data 100,000 yen and up

☑ Recorded footage / highlight video 100,000 yen and up

☑ Same-day edit 200,000 yen and up

are options that many couples end up adding.

The impact of additional costs can be significant, so it’s wise to have these included in the estimate beforehand.

Additionally, a family photo album costs around 20,000 yen each. Discuss with each family how many albums to order for relatives.

@nagisa_marry

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #5 Pre-Shoot

Many couples engage in a pre-shoot before the actual wedding.

A pre-shoot is not mandatory and is an optional item, hence it’s not included in the initial estimate.

If you’re looking for a studio or photographer yourself, it’s different, but if you want to do the pre-shoot at the venue, it’s good to have it included in the initial estimate.

The average cost is around 200,000 yen.

@y.k2018.09

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #6 Family Costumes and Dressing

Costs for rental costumes and dressing for parents or relatives are also often overlooked and not included in the initial estimate.

The rental of costumes and dressing / hair and makeup cost about 30,000 to 40,000 yen per person, so these can accumulate rather quickly.

Including estimates for the parents of both families and confirmed attendees will alleviate any last-minute rush.

Although many couples may offer to cover the kimono and dressing costs themselves, being prepared to shoulder this upfront seems to alleviate worries.

@mami

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #7 Favors for Everyone

The set of favors, sweets, and good luck items given to guests is typically one per family.

In the initial estimate, the assumption is often made about the number of attendees as couples or families leading to a lower count.

Example: For 80 guests, it might estimate 60 single guests + 10 couples = 70 items.

If there are many single guests attending, this would increase the estimate, so communicate upfront to “calculate favors based on the number of attendees.”

Items Likely to be Added to the Initial Estimate #8 Other Accessories

Many brides have seen their estimates subtly rise due to the addition of various small accessories.

☑ Guest book

☑ Welcome board

☑ Wedding certificate

☑ Ring pillow

☑ Petit gifts

Items that you might realize you need later come into play.

If you feel you may not have the time to DIY, it’s wise to include these items in the initial estimate and plan for DIY later.

@mi.8877

It’s Important to Consider Various Aspects When Looking at the Estimate!

It is often said that wedding estimates increase...

and it’s understandable that they do when adapting your plans and adding items.

However, it’s frustrating when standard items that most people request are not included in the initial estimate and push the total amount beyond what you expected.

By being knowledgeable, you can ask the right questions when you receive the estimate, ensuring you are well-prepared. ♩

@mi.8877