What Couples Forget to Budget for in Omaha Weddings
Whether you’re planning an elegant celebration or a small, intimate party, the most organized and well-planned wedding can easily overlook key expenses that can significantly impact your wedding day. Creating a fully customized and personal event with everything you want is extremely possible, but having a realistic budget and tracking your expenses is essential.
To help you better plan for your event and to have zero surprises in the money department, here are the most common wedding budget items that tend to get overlooked during the planning process.
1. Vendor Meals and Gratuities
While many couples set aside money for catering, they don’t always set aside money for their vendors to eat while they are working. DJs, photographers, and planners spend hours on your special day and expect to be fed while on the clock. Allocate extra meals in your budgeting and planning process to avoid them not eating. Budget in gratuities for all of your vendors for all of their hard work for your special day.
2. Wedding Day Transportation
From the bride arriving to leaving in your getaway car, don’t underestimate how much money you might spend on rentals. Wedding transportation isn’t just about getting the bridal party to the venue. If you have a bigger guest list, factor in potential shuttle services to and from the parking for your guests.
3. Additional Rentals
Most venues include certain rentals in your wedding packages, but there are always items that venues can’t or don’t provide that you will want at your wedding. As more and more couples are including unique additions - photobooths, installation walls, and over-the-top florals - make sure to prioritize what rentals are a must-have and put that expense at the top of your list.
4. DAY-OF-EMERGENCY Kit
This may seem like a small thing, but putting together a wedding emergency kit could potentially save the day - and doesn’t cost much to put together. Needle and thread, safety pins, stain removers, snacks, pain relief, water, Band-Aids, and Chapstick are a few items to throw in your kit (you could find all of them, if not most, in your home, which makes this expense incredibly small). Make someone responsible for holding onto the kit, just in case anyone needs anything.
5. Post-Wedding Services
A couple of other services most couples tend to forget about as the party comes to an end:
Clean-up fees or overtime charges
Cake cutting and serving
Vendor meals
Dry cleaning
6. Beauty Services and Trials
Beauty trails and services don’t get enough attention. Make sure to allocate extra funds for trials with different artists and for day-of services and gratuity. This includes both wedding parties getting ready!
8. Postage and Paper Goods
As we are stepping towards a more digital age, when it comes to invitations, many couples still really love a paper invite and an RSVP to send out and keep as memories. While printing is a huge expense in itself, postage costs can quickly add up, and the total can, more often than not, come as a shock to many couples. Set aside what you think you’ll need and add more on top of that to ensure no surprises when mailing day comes.
9. Unexpected Weather Accommodations
The weather in Nebraska never seems to be what they tell us it’s going to be. Regardless of the season, there is always a chance for the weather to act up. Budgeting for unexpected weather - indoor heaters for the cold or umbrellas for the rain - will allow you and your guests not to worry about the weather adding stress to your day.
Planning your wedding should be the best time of your life, not stressful or full of worry. By anticipating cost needs, you’ll be able to create your dream wedding day without limitations, and you can truly focus on starting your forever.
At the Omaha Event Group, it’s our job to bring your vision to life at one of our venues: The Garden Room, The Empire Room, Omaha Design Center, or the Leo Ballroom. Contact us today to start the planning process and talk through every detail you’ve dreamed up for your wedding day.
Omaha Event Group
From Midtown to Downtown, Omaha Event Group brings unforgettable experiences to life at our premier event and wedding venues: Leo Ballroom, Empire Room, The Garden Room, and Omaha Design Center. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate gathering, or social celebration, our team provides the perfect backdrop and seamless coordination to make your event truly memorable.
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