Ciao Bella! USA Summer 2015 | Page 36

10 EXPENSES MISSING FROM YOUR WEDDING BUDGET By Andrea Woroch Tis the season to say "I Do" as millions of brides and grooms tie-up loose ends for their big day. In the last few weeks of planning, stress levels often peak as unexpected issues and expenses arise. Though the couple-to-be try their hardest to stick to a budget, well-made plans are often sabotaged by overlooked needs and extras. Considering a wedding can set the betrothed couple back $31,000 according to the 2014 average, there's not much wiggle room for budgeting mistakes. Plan ahead by making space for these important (and often hidden) wedding costs. Post age. Oversized and awkwardly shaped invites can cost up you to $2 a piece to mail. Skip the fancy boxed invitations and bulky, 36 multilayer cards to keep postage costs down. Don't forget to include postage for save-the-dates, RSVP and Thank You cards in your budget, too. For those inviting 150 guests, you're looking at over $200 in just postage alone! Consider e-vites for less formal wedding-related festivities like the engagement party and bridal shower; they're faster, easily customized and much cheaper! Overt ime. The band, DJ, photographer, videographer and wedding planner design a contract based on a wedding schedule and includes a maximum allotment of time. Go over and they'll charge you roughly $250 per hour for every hour they work overtime. Give yourself a cushion to include extra time for possible delays and negotiate a free additional hour or discount if things go over.