Whether you’ve had your dream wedding planned out in your head since you were 13 or if you’re just planning as you go, there are so many aspects of a wedding day that most couples don’t even think about paying for until it’s time to pull out their credit card.

I just got engaged this past March, and while I was staring at all the gorgeous tablescapes and decor options on Pinterest, I realized that I had absolutely zero idea what anything outside the basics would cost.

I figured other couples are going through the same thing, so I teamed up with Danielle of Taryn Blake Events, a modern event planning and design company based in Philadelphia with over 250 weddings under their belt. TBE’s incredible work has been recognized in Brides, Forbes, Green Wedding Shoes, Huffpost Weddings, and many more publications.

The TBE team has a combined three decade’s worth of event experience, so sit back, grab a glass of wine, and take notes on what one of their incredible planners has to say about the top wedding budget busters TBE sees!

1. Guest Count Rules Just About Everything

The moment couples get engaged and begin to discuss their wedding budget, one of the first things that they need to think about is GUEST COUNT. This is huge because your guest count will essentially have a domino effect on everything that follows after it.

For example: how many save the dates you’ll need, how many invites you’ll need, how many tables you’ll need, which will affect the amount of centerpieces you’ll need, and then how many escort cards you’ll need printed, and how many pieces of cake or dessert you need…. and so on and so forth…. you get the idea! Guest count goes up, your budget goes up. Guest count goes down, your budget can go down!

2. Service Charges and Gratuities

Taxes, service fees, and gratuities are super overlooked when it comes to budgeting. Across the board, caterers will add a service charge, which is sometimes up to 20%, you’ll have to pay taxes on all of your wedding items, and it’s pretty standard to provide wedding-day gratuities for great service– this goes for the vendors who own their own businesses too! A lot of couples don’t think about these things and they can add up at the very end of the wedding planning process leaving the couple scrambling.

3. Don’t Forget About Your Rentals

We are noticing that a lot of venues are only allowing morning-of rental drop offs and require items out by the end of the reception. Some rental companies are going to charge couples extra for same day service or late-night pickups!

Keep in mind, your setup teams are going to need your linens early since they will need set prior to the florist arriving, so find out if your linen supplier can get your items in advance or if there will be a charge for early drop-off.

4. Let’s Talk About Hair and Makeup

If you have ten bridesmaids, you can’t hire one hair and makeup artist, even if you’re starting in the wee hours of the morning. You’ll likely need a team of two, maybe even three, on each service. If you book someone who doesn’t have a team, you’ll be paying later for them to add on assistants OR paying your venue to buy extra hours and get in early– if the venue allows this! Also, don’t forget to figure in moms or grandmas if they’re getting hair and makeup too!

There you have it, four wedding budget busters to keep in mind when planning!

If you’re looking for an incredible planning team, Taryn Blake Events is based in the Philadelphia area and services PA, MD, DE, NY, NJ, and anywhere else you want to take their talents! Check out their site here: TBE EVENTS

Looking for more planning tips and advice? Check out more posts here: ADVICE + TIPS