Budget Basics: 10 hidden wedding costs most families forget to account for

Photo from Confetti.co.uk

So you have gotten down to budgeting your wedding down to the last T ? Well we at Wedmegood think chances are you have not quite taken into account these hidden costs which may seem really puny but can add up to be one big whopping cost of their own.

1. Postage and Courier Charges

Why it's hidden: You may choose a gorgeous looking box and a beautiful invitation but do remember the more weighty it becomes the more expensive your courier and postage charges will be. This is specially true for people with a lot of outstation postage

The cost: For a box you are looking at 200 -400 INR per box which by the way in many cases is more expensive than the box itself ! For cards approxinately 100-200 INR per card.

2. Entertainment  License (yes you have to organise one)

Why it's hidden: If you are having a singer or a band perform at one of your events then in India you will need to purchase a license from their managers which can cost quite a bit.

The cost: Between 5000-10,000 Rs  (PPL License)

3.  Corkage Fees

Why it's hidden: If you use the liquor provided by your reception site, the charge is typically wrapped into the cost. Going with outside alcohol has the hidden charge of corkage involved, which is basically the cost of the venue opening and serving the liquor

The cost: Ranges from 1500-5000 Rs per bottle depending on where the event is

4. Mehendi Design Cost

Why its hidden: A Mehendi artist will quote you a rate saying- Maam our mehendi charges start at 5100. Well great, you then call the guy on the day of the mehendi and choose a particular pattern. What he doesn't tell you is that the design you chose actually costs 15000 INR ! Its true- and happens to almost everyone.

The cost: Expensive designs can be double or triple the price of the starting cost

5.  Panditji Sagan Cost

Why its hidden: You may not realise it while booking the panditji but during the course of the pooja there are going to be numerous instances of the panditji requesting  for sums of money to be put into a seperate box as 'Sagan' . That amount can pile up pretty quickly so make sure there is cash in the parents wallets.

The  cost: Can range from 2100-11000 INR

6. Logistics for outstation guests

Why its hidden: When you have family and friends coming from out of town , it's your responsibility to ensure cabs and drivers are available to them to travel to and from the venue.

The cost: Approx 1500 per cab per day

7. Tips , specially in South Indian weddings

Why its hidden: While tips are not the most common thing in Indian weddings, in a lot of instances specially weddings down South there are people who ask for tips pretty directly. The person who gets the gifts from the car to the Mandap, the person who serves the bride and groom- all of these guys ask for tips and you don't want to be caught in a situation where you have no cash infront of a sea of guests!

The cost: Ranges between 200-500 Rs

8. Costs of certain rituals (Kaleecharis, Ribbon Cutting, etc)

Why its hidden: The girls side may have a ton of rituals you may not be prepared for. The ribbon cutting ritual involves the groom giving cash to the sisters before he enters the hall. In marwaris there is a ritual where the grooms sister sits on the seat of the bride and does not let her sit till she gets something from the bride and ofcourse we have the usual Joota Choopai. Also, the groom has to buy rings for the brides sisters as Kaleecharis which are not always the cheapest. So be prepared for these

The  cost: Can range from anywhere between 5000 Rs per ritual to 50,000 Rs

9. Portable Toilets (incase a pre-wedding event is happening in an open plot, or a field)

Why its hidden: While your dream mehendi or Mata Ki Chowki venue is right in your neighbourhood's empty plot and the uncle who owns it has agreed to give it to you, do remember that for bathrooms you will have to get portable bathrooms arranged if there are none close by

The Cost: Between 20,000 to 80,000 Rs depending on which kind of Portable toilets you choose