Not Included in the Venue Estimate! Essential Cost List for Your Wedding Ceremony*

2019.11.12 published

I hear that "wedding costs are rising more and more" but...

The dream of a wedding is growing. I want to wear my dream dress, have colorful venue flowers, include many productions, etc...

While ideals keep soaring higher, the realistic hurdle that stands in the way is the cost issue.

Ideally, it would be good if everything stayed within the expected range, but it's not uncommon for couples to say, "In the end, we exceeded our budget...!"

Looking at social media, it seems that many brides-to-be are troubled by costs.

@hal9000marriage

Why do we go over budget??

There are two main points that cause wedding costs to balloon.

One is that as meetings progress, couples upgrade costumes, flowers, and food, add videography, or increase gift items, causing "the initial estimate from the wedding venue to keep rising."

The initial estimate given by the planner often includes only the minimum items, so it is perfectly normal for costs to increase every time something is added later.

However, this can be mitigated somewhat by discussing with the planner during the venue visit to fill in the gaps.

If you create an estimate with the same volume of flowers as at a bridal fair or the most popular meal course from the start, the additional costs can be naturally kept in check.

@kiyono0225

Are there items not included in the initial estimate?!

Another reason costs can increase is "items not included in the estimate!"

As expected, the estimates provided by wedding venues represent the amount payable to the venue. They do not account for the overall cost of the wedding.

Therefore, if you think, "The estimate from the venue = the total cost of our wedding," you may end up suffering from unexpected expenses later.

That said, preparing for a wedding is an entirely new experience, so it’s difficult for couples to gauge how many types of expenses exist outside the venue and how much they will require.

A list of costs necessary for a 'wedding' other than what is paid to the venue*

That’s why this time, we’ll introduce necessary items that are not included in the estimate received from the venue but are essential for holding a wedding.

If you are planning to save money for your wedding, make sure to check if there are any items you have forgotten to plan for!

@eri_wedding0512

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ① Wedding Rings

Naturally, wedding rings are not included in the venue's estimate.

If you plan to exchange rings during the ceremony, you need to have your wedding rings ready by that day.

Since it's something you’ll wear for life, many brides wish to choose a wedding ring from their dream brand! However, considering other expenses, it's essential to select one while consulting your budget.

@ay0401w

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ② Pre-shoot

A pre-shoot, where a professional photographer takes pictures before the wedding. While it is not mandatory, since the opportunity to wear bridal attire like a wedding dress, white kimono, or colored kimono is now, pre-shoots have become standard.

The cost of hiring a professional photographer for a pre-shoot varies depending on the number of outfits and photos taken, but the average tends to be around 100,000 to 200,000 yen.

As it will remain a lifelong memory, it’s an area you want to make sure to include in your "wedding budget" right from the start.

@a.and.k_170610_wedding

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ③ Material costs for handmade items

One often overlooked area is the material costs for handmade items. Many might want to DIY various wedding items during the wedding preparation period.

The reasons for wanting to make original items themselves often stem from wanting to create a wedding that reflects their personality and the thought, "It might be cheaper than having the venue do the decorations."

So, considering the costs, you’d want to utilize 100-yen shops or affordable accessory stores effectively to keep them reasonable, but this is often where brides fall into a blind spot with DIY.

The more fun DIY becomes and the more attention to detail one places, the higher the material costs can climb, which shouldn’t be forgotten. It’s easy to impulsively buy items you find cute, and sometimes you may not have kept a close watch on the cost of each item, which can lead to a shocking realization later.

(In fact, when I calculated the price of preserved flowers I displayed in the welcome space, it exceeded 20,000 yen...! It might have been cheaper to let the venue handle it.)

DIY does not always lead to savings. However, the joy of creating things and the happiness of having completed items that you’re surrounded with at your once-in-a-lifetime wedding is an incredible sense of accomplishment.

As a hobby and enjoyment unique to brides-to-be during wedding preparations, it may be acceptable to allow for a little budget overage.

@sii_365days

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ④ CD Costs

An essential part of the reception is the emotional BGM. It is said that 20 to 30 songs flow as BGM during the reception.

Since BGM greatly influences the ambiance of the venue, many would like to specify memorable songs rather than hand it over to the venue.

However, to play music at a wedding, a "CD master" is required due to copyright issues. A single CD is around 1,500 yen, and an album is approximately 3,000 yen, so if you need to buy everything new, it does add up to a substantial budget.

Sometimes, the venue has CDs prepared, and there might be a fee charged for BGM usage, so make sure to check when you receive the estimate.

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ⑤ Bringing-in Fees

If you want to wear wedding or colored dresses from shops not affiliated with the venue, you may choose to rent them from non-partner dress shops or bring in your own dress.

The fee incurred at that time is the bringing-in fee. The amounts vary by venue, but for dresses, it seems to range from 30,000 to 100,000 yen, and for tuxedos, around 10,000 to 30,000 yen.

The initial estimate from the venue almost never includes bringing-in fees from the start, so those who wish to be particular about their dress can feel more secure asking about the "bringing-in fee for the dresses" right from the beginning.

@0625.tn.wedding

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ⑥ Cost of Family Attire and Dressing

At a wedding, not only the bride and groom but also participants from both families will dress formally. It is standard for fathers to wear morning coats and mothers to wear black formal kimono.

If you can prepare your outfits yourself, then there’s no issue, but if you need to rent outfits from the venue and have them dressed, those costs will also be billed as part of your wedding expenses.

Some couples may bill both families after the fact, but it’s advisable to initially consider it as something that they will pay themselves.

@wd325dy

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ⑦ Transportation and Accommodation Costs

Transportation and accommodation costs for guests coming from afar. Many couples seem to cover all or part of these expenses.

If you have many guests traveling from distant places, the costs can sometimes reach several hundred thousand yen, but this is a considerate gesture from the bride.

To avoid the surprise of excess costs calculated just before the day, it’s good to list potential guests who will need transportation from the timing of invitation selection and have a general idea of the expenses involved.

@fancycake.wedding

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ⑧ Gratitude and Thank You Gifts

It’s customary to give gratitude to those who have helped with the wedding. Individuals to whom you need to express gratitude include:

☑ Guests who serve as the main guest or give a toast

☑ Guests who handle the reception desk

☑ Guests who present entertainment

☑ Guests who manage the after-party

☑ Other guests who send congratulations

It seems the going rate for thanking the main guest or those who give a toast is about 10,000 yen, while for others, it can start from 5,000 yen.

Among friends, it is common for brides to present gifts instead of money. If they have a large group for entertainment, they should also prepare small gifts for each member.

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ⑨ Beauty Costs right before the wedding

One expense that should not be forgotten is the bride's beauty costs just before the wedding day. When putting everything together like beauty drinks and esthetics, it can add up significantly.

☑ Eyelash Extensions (around 5,000 yen)

☑ Bridal Nails (around 5,000 yen)

☑ Shaving (around 10,000 yen)

☑ Whitening (around 10,000 yen)

In addition, if brides wish to visit esthetics or facial correction in the months leading up to the wedding, they need to factor that budget in as well.

@risawedding20170225

Wedding costs incurred beyond the venue’s estimate ⑩ Delivery Costs

Finally, we’ll introduce the costs associated with "delivery," which takes place about a week before the wedding.

Delivery refers to bringing all items used for the wedding into the venue. You’ll bring items for decorating the welcome space, party favors, gifts for parents, and other items that you prepared instead of the venue.

If you have many items, you may have to transport them by car, and if you don't own a vehicle, you'll need to rent one, which incurs costs. Also, if you are delivering to a bridal salon without parking (rather than the venue), you need to keep an eye out for parking fees at coin parking lots.

Let’s check for any gaps or omissions in your budget!

We have introduced necessary costs for holding a wedding that are not included in the estimates from the venue.

Upon reflection, it becomes evident that a significant amount of money is needed for a wedding beyond just the estimate provided by the venue.

Please proceed with your wedding preparations while considering all potential costs, including the honeymoon and married life after the wedding.