17 Hidden Wedding Expenses That Probably Aren't on Your Budget Spreadsheet

In the (completely understandable) excitement about menu choices and wine, we completely forgot to include the venue's service charge in our wedding budget. It's often mentioned at the end of an agreement so isn't in the final quoted figure. Our service charge will be 10 percent of our final bill; 15 percent to 25 percent seems to be the standard in the US, so take a similar figure into account when planning your celebration, plus any further tips you plan to give on the day.

You've probably added invitations and envelopes to your budget, but what about the stamps to post them? Don't forget the ones for the thank-you cards, either. A first-class stamp costs 49 cents, so you might be spending over $100 just on postage. (No, you cannot sneak them into the mail cart at work.)

Your three-tier cake will only look beautiful if it's sitting beautifully (and securely). If you don't hire a suitable cake stand, it'll sink before you've got to the first dance. Some cake companies include this in the cost of the cake, but others charge a hire fee. It can be anything from $50 to $100, and you might have to pay a deposit to ensure you return it after your big day.

While you might have factored in your hair and makeup (or asked a bridesmaid to help), you'll still probably get your nails done, get your legs waxed, and perhaps even get a facial before the big day. Put aside $100-$200 for this depending on your usual regimen. You could argue that you'd get these done anyway, but you're likely to go for more expensive treatments (or add extras, like eyelash extensions or a spray tan), so make sure they're on your list anyway.

It's surprising how easy these are to forget! If you have nice handwriting and you're good with swirly letters, you don't need anything but plain cards, but you should set aside at least 50 cents per guest for something fancier.

If you're creating a wedding website, you're probably going to need a domain name. That's another $50 or so. You can host websites for free through services like Wordpress or Wix, but your family and friends are far more likely to remember the URL if it's a simple domain format they're used to. Make sure you don't have a payment that auto renews, though; it'll just be money down the drain after the big day.

You're going to need to arrange more taxis than you realize: the aunt who's broken her leg, your bridesmaid who had a few too many, your hop and jump to the venue after the ceremony if you've stayed behind to have some photos taken, and your ride to your hotel after the party. Taxis never go on the budget, but you should put aside around $75.

Not only will you have to pay for your ceremony, but you'll also need to pay a fee for your marriage license. Depending on where you live, it can range between $10 to $115.

You might not be driving anywhere on your big day, but you'll probably still have to make a few deliveries. Add another $20 to the bill, more if you're driving to a different venue.

You might have thought about food for your guests, but what about before you get to the ceremony? You'll need breakfast (even if you insist you're too nervous to eat!) and some drinks for bridesmaids and anyone else getting ready with you. Factor in a couple of bottles of bubbly at least.