ANYONE who has organised a wedding will know that it costs… a lot.
Couples usually save for months to build a budget for their big day, and there are way more things to fork out for than you might think.
But aside from the obvious – the rings, suit and dress, venue, flowers and cake – there are plenty of hidden costs.
That’s why so many people look for money-saving hacks ahead of their big day or opt for a smaller ceremony to mark the occasion.
One exasperated bride-to-be has taken to TikTok to express her shock at the high price of the stuff she is being billed for.
Seemingly, many of the goods and services double in price for having the word ‘wedding’ associated with them.
TikTok user Beth shared a video to her account (@bethanyxanne_), asking viewers in the caption: “What is the most ridiculous thing you’ve paid for for your wedding?”
Speaking to the camera, she said: “People ask me, what do you wish you knew about booking a wedding before you did it?
“Um, that putting fairy lights on a pillar is gonna cost me £300.
“They’re already there! How is it costing me £300?
“I could put them up for 20 quid, but no, it’s a wedding – it’s ridiculous.”
Viewers flooded the comments in agreement, sharing their own bizarre stories of hidden wedding costs.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”I was fed up of trying on pricey wedding dresses so spent £20 on one from a charity shop & it made my husband cry” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366862982112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Wild wedding fees
One user wrote: “Our friends got married at Christmas and their venue tried to charge them extra for Christmas decorations that were going to be up anyway.
“My friend said ‘fine take them down’ and the venue soon changed their mind and included them as a complimentary add-on because it genuinely would have taken more time and effort for them to take the decorations down.”
[quote credit=”TikTok user”]”Omg, I couldn’t agree more!! I’ve also had quotes to cut my cake up for me (that I’ve paid for already) – £10 a slice”[/quote]Another person wrote: “Having to pay the registrar an ‘attendance fee’ on the day as if we haven’t already paid £500 for them to do the service – why am I paying you to show up, is that not included?”
While someone else said: “I wanted some candles down some steps. They said £80 per step and there were maybe 15-20 steps….?! We said no.”
A gobsmacked user wrote: “Lights for the ceremony, for like 20 minutes, £700! Already in place! Please, who is your energy provider and I’ll chat to them.”
[quote credit=”TikTok user”]I kept getting emails from my venue asking if I wanted to hire a giant outdoor Jenga game for £200??…. I got married in December![/quote]And when it comes to feeding your guests, all the dining extras add up – before you even factor in the cost of the food.
One user wrote: “£100 for 50 napkins and to BORROW their knife to cut the cake…”
While someone else said: “I’m paying £18.50 corkage for them to open a bottle I am buying at the supermarket for £8.”