"Why Do Prices Go Up? How to Get Wedding Venue Estimates Without Future Hassles*"

2020.03.10 published

The Number One Concern for Weddings [Cost] *

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event. While everyone wants a beautiful ceremony filled with their ideal elements, the harsh reality that stands in the way is the "cost" barrier.

I think most couples consider venues based on estimates provided during venue tours, but a common story is, "In the end, the costs shot up significantly from the initial estimate!"

Some have faced situations where the final costs exceeded several million yen from the initial estimate.

With costs related to honeymoons and moving in addition to the wedding, it’s essential to grasp the amount needed for the wedding in advance.

You want to avoid unexpected expenses of hundreds of thousands or even millions later on.

Therefore, this time I will introduce the key points to check in the estimates received during venue tours.*

If you keep these points in mind, you won’t have to worry about significant increases in costs later on.♡

@morirena_ftw

[Wedding Estimate] Checkpoint ① Floral Arrangements

The first point to check is the quality of the floral arrangements for the head table and guest tables. At bridal fairs, you can see beautifully arranged tables filled with flowers.

In reality, the flowers displayed at bridal fairs are mostly of a higher quality than usual. If you received the initial estimate at the lowest basic level, upgrading to a higher quality could incur additional tens of thousands of yen.

If you want a flower-filled venue, make sure to request, "Please create an estimate with the same floral arrangement quality as what we just saw."

@yanwedding

Wedding flowers are specially arranged by florists to be at their best on the day, which is why prices are higher. The price increases can be substantial, so it's crucial to gauge the rank you want in the estimates phase.♩

[Wedding Estimate] Checkpoint ② Dress Quality

The next point to check is the quality of the wedding attire. Many brides wear multiple outfits, including wedding dresses, colored dresses, and kimonos.

Most wedding venues have affiliated dress shops or salons where you can choose from available outfits. Naturally, the prices vary by brand and design, typically ranging from 200,000 to 600,000 yen for one dress.

If you find a dress you want from the basic plan, the price won’t increase, but it’s common for brides to be drawn to higher-quality dresses from well-known brands or new styles after trying them on.

Therefore, if you want to pay special attention to your dress, it’s safer to inquire about “the most commonly chosen rank among brides at that venue” and request an estimate at that rank. Alternatively, you can ask for a calculation at the mid-range rank.＊

@sora_wedding17

Also, don’t forget to ask about the attire for the second-party event and any outfits for the after-party. Generally, if you wear the attire directly into the after-party, there’s often an additional rental fee.

Ask about the general prices for bridal undergarments, hair accessories, bridal shoes, and other small items to receive a more precise estimate.＊

[Wedding Estimate] Checkpoint ③ Food and Beverage Quality

The food and beverages at the reception directly impact guest satisfaction. Just adding a dish can increase costs by over 100,000 yen, so this is an item you don’t want to change later.

For food and beverage, it’s recommended to include "the most commonly selected level at the venue" in the estimates. This should reflect the rank that fellow brides selected after careful consideration.♡

@beautifulbell22

As for the beverage level, it’s common for the standard package to include beer, wine, whiskey, and oolong tea. If you want to add champagne or cocktails, you can expect additional costs of about 1,000 yen per person, so check the drink menu before requesting the estimate. Welcome drinks may incur separate costs as well.＊

[Wedding Estimate] Checkpoint ④ Number of Favors

The wedding favors and refreshments handed to attending guests are typically valued at about 4,000 yen for friends and about 6,000 yen for family or older guests.

A point to note when asking for estimates is the number of favors. Favors are given one per family, meaning if a couple attends, they receive one favor. Therefore, some venues calculate the number of favors based on fewer guests, assuming some will come as couples. (In my case, when I received an estimate for 80 guests, the favors were calculated for 60.)

If you expect many guests will be attending alone rather than as couples or families, be sure to communicate, "Please estimate the number of favors based on the total number of guests."＊

@HACHI20160612

[Wedding Estimate] Checkpoint ⑤ Visuals and Photography

A common regret among newlyweds is related to the wedding day’s videos and photos. Many brides prioritize saving money but later think, "I should have prioritized preserving these memories!"

Therefore, it's wise to consider a plan with some leeway from the estimation phase to avoid later regrets.

Initial estimates often use the lowest plan, so be sure to check:

☑ Is it just for an album, or does it include data as well?

☑ If data is included, how many images are provided?

☑ Is there one camera or two?

☑ Are there any fees for selecting a specific photographer?

It’s important to review these details.

@nagisa_marry

For visuals as well, there are plans based on the number and grade of equipment (like DSLR or Blu-ray), so if you want a more detailed estimate, it's recommended to ask for an explanation.*

[Wedding Estimate] Checkpoint ⑥ Performances

There are classic wedding performances, like flower showers, balloon releases, and candle services. There are surely brides who have decided, "This is a must-have!"

If you have indispensable performances, let them know during the estimate to have the costs included. For instance, for a flower shower, there’s typically a cost of around 300 yen per guest, adding up to an extra 24,000 yen for 80 guests.

Proactively communicate any confirmed performances before the estimate is made to prevent future increases in costs.＊

@tomotomo_ta0527wd

[Wedding Estimate] Checkpoint ⑦ Bringing In Items Fee

The last point to introduce is the bringing-in items fee. If you don’t find anything you like among the venue's affiliated items, you might consider bringing your own paper items, dresses, or favors.

The rules vary by venue, with some allowing free items and others charging high fees. Even if you think, "I can save money by making this myself," it can end up being more expensive due to the bringing-in fees.

If you're considering purchasing or making your own items, be sure to check for the allowance of bringing items in and the associated fees.

@sr_wedding_1123

Before starting wedding preparations, let's go over the estimate tips.*

I’ve shared some check points for receiving estimates at wedding venues. If your initial budget increases by several million yen, it defeats the purpose of getting an estimate. While imagining the flow and scenes of your actual wedding, be thorough in checking to ensure no items are overlooked.♩

Couples who plan to visit various venues should prepare a list of items to include in the estimate to facilitate smoother communication during the estimate creation.♡

@nakam_no