"Are You Calculating That Money Correctly? A List of Expenses Beyond the Venue for Newlyweds"
2019.01.22 published
Have you calculated the money you need to spend "other than" the wedding venue?
To hold a wedding, you need hundreds of thousands of yen. It’s obvious that money is required to invite dozens or hundreds of guests and have a good time...,
but when considering starting a new life, there must be many brides who want to "save as much as possible!"
By the way, while many brides seem to be calculating the money they need to pay to the wedding venue, are you calculating the money that needs to be spent 'other than' the wedding venue?
For example, the transportation costs for guests who come from far away, gifts for those who help with the reception, and materials for handmade items, etc...
In addition to the money paid to the wedding venue, you’ll need a considerable amount when you calculate these expenses!
If you don't calculate the money spent outside of the wedding venue, it could lead to terrifying situations...!
If you calculate only the money paid to the wedding venue and don’t consider additional expenses,
for instance, “I was saving for a 3 million yen wedding, but in the end, I ended up spending an additional 500,000 yen on other costs,"
or "I thought I’d saved around 5 million yen, but I ended up spending about 1 million yen on other expenses, and now I have no money left for the honeymoon.”
Such scenarios might happen.
Even though it’s supposed to be a fun wedding, it would be terrible if you were worried about money or couldn’t enjoy your newlywed life smoothly!
Therefore, it's essential to consider the costs involved in the wedding not just as the money paid to the venue, but as the “total expenses!"
So, what kind of expenses are there besides the wedding venue?
Expenses other than the wedding venue① Transportation Costs
"Transportation costs" for guests refer to the expenses for transportation and accommodation for guests who come from far away.*
While it’s great if all guests live nearby, it's quite common for relatives or friends to live further away.
Since transportation costs are a gesture of goodwill, some newlyweds cover all expenses, some cover half, and some don’t contribute at all. There are various perspectives, but many brides seem to be preparing around half to fully cover it.*
➡Click here for more on transportation costs*
Expenses other than the wedding venue② Gifts for Friends
Don’t forget the amount you owe to friends for their help.* Many brides are preparing gifts or tokens of thanks for friends who manage the reception, performances, or speeches◎
Most brides prepare gift certificates or items worth between 3,000 to 10,000 yen for their friends.* Make sure to express your gratitude and build strong friendships♡
➡Click here for more on gifts for friends*
Expenses other than the wedding venue③ Tips for Staff
Some brides give tips to the staff, while others do not.*
Because weddings typically include a "service charge," recently, many brides seem to feel that there's no need to give any extra.
However, newlyweds who feel that the staff went above and beyond the service charge are more likely to prepare tips♩ Recently, many couples have started giving gifts instead of money◎
Nevertheless, the decision on tips varies by region and the opinions of parents, so it's advisable to discuss it with your partner and parents◎
➡Click here for more on tips for staff*
Expenses other than the wedding venue④ Items Brought In
Items brought into the wedding venue are, of course, the responsibility of the bride and groom.
This includes outsourced photographers, hair and makeup artists, videographers, florists, as well as purchased dresses, tuxedos, bridal undergarments, accessories, souvenirs, small gifts, gifts for parents, paper items, and more, which are not included in the fees paid to the wedding venue, making them easily forgotten.
If you do pre-wedding shoots outside of the venue, don't forget to include those costs as well.
Some brides slowly spend from their wallets and end up losing track of how much they spent...!
Brides who bring items into the venue should total the costs of these items and consider them as part of the "wedding expenses"♩
Expenses other than the wedding venue⑤ After-party Costs
Views on after-party costs vary greatly among newlyweds. Some may choose to lower the guests’ fees and take on more personal costs, while others might raise the guests' fees to cover prizes and expenses.
There are many different approaches, but newlyweds who want to keep the after-party costs as low as possible for their guests should budget a reasonable amount for it◎
Expenses other than the wedding venue⑥ Return Gifts for Congratulations
Many people will give gifts for your wedding.* It's mandatory to give return gifts for the congratulations received!
Generally, return gifts should be about 30-50% of the amount received. Many newlyweds feel happy to receive many gifts, but it can be challenging to give return gifts, so it's wise to plan for them early on◎
➡Click here for more on return gifts*
Expenses other than the wedding venue⑦ Wedding and Engagement Rings
Most newlyweds prepare wedding and engagement rings.*
Some brides may think, “Since we’re going to share our finances, I can’t buy something expensive…!” when going ring shopping together.
Wedding and engagement rings can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of yen. It’s essential to calculate these costs carefully♡
➡Click here for more on wedding rings*
➡Click here for more on engagement rings*
Expenses other than the wedding venue⑧ Engagement & Meeting Costs
There are also various costs associated with engagement and family meetings. In addition to venue fees and engagement gifts, there may be costs for formal attire and photography that can add up!
Who prepares and bears these costs varies by family, so it's essential to discuss and plan accordingly◎
➡Click here for more on engagement*
➡Click here for more on family meetings*
Expenses other than the wedding venue⑨ Honeymoon
Don’t forget the expenses for your honeymoon.* Don’t let concerns about the wedding overshadow your honeymoon budget!
In addition to the tour cost, there are meal expenses, entrance fees, souvenirs, and more. Depending on whether meals are included, it’s good to estimate an additional 10,000 to 30,000 yen per day on top of the tour cost♩
➡Click here for more on honeymoons*