Wedding budget
Hidden fees in wedding vendor quotes: 9 questions to ask before you sign
A quote is rarely the final price. Most budgets break on small line items nobody mentioned, not on the venue. Here are nine fees that can sit outside the number on the quote, with the question that brings each one out.
The nine fees
We don't give a typical dollar figure for these, because they vary a lot by city and vendor. The point is to get each answer in writing and add it to your budget before you sign.
- Service charge. On catering or bar it is often a percentage added to the food and drink total. Ask: “Is a service charge added on top of this price, and on what amount?”
- Sales tax. Tax can apply to vendor contracts. Ask: “Is tax included in this quote?”
- Cake-cutting fee. Applies if the venue serves a cake you bring in. Ask: “Do you charge to cut and serve an outside cake?”
- Corkage fee. Applies if you bring your own wine or liquor. Ask: “What is the corkage fee, and is it per bottle?”
- Venue setup and teardown. Ask: “Are setup and teardown time and labour included, and for how many hours?”
- Overtime. An extra hour for the photographer, DJ, band or venue. Ask: “What does one extra hour cost, and how is it agreed on the night?”
- Travel fees. Vendors outside their usual area may add them. Ask: “Is travel to my venue included?”
- Card payment surcharges. Some vendors add them. Ask: “Is there an extra charge if I pay by card?”
- Security deposits. Ask: “What can make me lose the deposit, and when is it returned?”
How to use the answers
- Ask every vendor the same questions, so quotes can be compared on the same basis.
- Write each answer next to the quote. If a fee applies and the vendor can't give the amount, ask what is included in the quote.
- Put the amounts in your budget. Add them to the buffer line, or to the vendor's own line if you know them.
The rest of the list
These nine come from the first section of our list of 40 costs couples forget. The other sections cover food and drink, rentals and decor, attire and beauty, paper and post, tips and gifts, and costs before and after the day. You can read the whole list on one page, free.
Read all 40 hidden wedding costs
Want the list as a printable checklist?
“40 Wedding Costs Couples Forget” is a printable PDF of the full list. Pay what you like, including $0.
Want the whole system?
The 15-Minute Wedding Budget Kit ($19 until December 1, 2026) has the 8-tab spreadsheet, five printables and three bonus PDFs, including vendor email scripts. Not what you expected? Email for a refund within 30 days.
See how a whole budget splits: 50 guests, 100 guests, 150 guests, or use the free calculator.