Hidden Wedding Costs: A Wedding Pro's Guide to Not Going Broke

Tung Nguyen
7 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Hey everyone, I’m Tung from Maii Studio!

My wife, Mai, and I? We've been super lucky to film and photograph hundreds of weddings all over Germany and Europe. And I've gotta tell you, I see the same thing every time: the biggest headache for couples (besides maybe the seating chart!) is the budget.

It's easy to focus on the big stuff, right? The venue, the dress, the food. But trust me, the things that really wreck your budget are the hidden costs (versteckte Kosten) that just pop up out of nowhere.

Here’s a fun fact: before I went all-in on Maii Studio, I was actually a Finance Manager. Yep, I have a whole Master's in it! So, I've got this practical, numbers-guy brain. Today, I'm mixing that finance background with all this wedding know-how to break down all those sneaky costs for you. Let's help you make a plan that actually works!

The Sneakiest Hidden Costs

From my experience in Germany, these are the fees that make couples go, "Wait, what?!" when the final bills arrive.

1. Overtime (Überstunden) and Night Surcharges

You know the vibe: the party's hopping, the dance floor is packed, and nobody wants to go home! But hold on. Most of your vendors (the DJ, the servers, and even your photo/video team—like us, as a wedding videographer Berlin team, we see this all the time!) are only paid up 'til a certain time, usually 1:00 AM.

Venue Night Surcharge (Nachtzuschlag): Lots of places in Germany will hit you with a flat fee after 1:00 AM, and it can be a few hundred Euros. Ouch.
Vendor Overtime: Every single hour after that is "overtime." You MUST ask what that rate is before you sign anything!

2. Venue Cleaning Fees (Reinigungskosten)

When the party's over... someone's gotta clean up! That final cleaning bill isn't always in the rental price, and it can cost you anywhere from 200-600€. Seriously. Also, quick tip: check if confetti is even allowed. That stuff can add a ton to the cleaning fee.

3. Transport, Setup, and Travel Fees

Oh man, this one gets people all the time.

Travel Costs (Anfahrtskosten): Your photo team, the band, your makeup artist... they all gotta get there, right? That means travel, parking, and maybe even a hotel room if your venue is out of the way.
Delivery Fees: Your cake, all those flowers, the chairs... they don't just magically appear. They all have delivery and setup fees.

Pro Tip: Ask if your vendors can carpool or combine deliveries. Can the florist and baker share a van? It's worth asking! And always, always try to get a flat travel fee (a Pauschale) in the contract. Don't get stuck paying by the kilometer.

4. Cake-Cutting Fees (Tellergeld) and Corkage (Korkgeld)

So you found the perfect cake from that cute little bakery? Or you want to bring your grandpa's favorite wine? That's awesome, but most venues will charge you for the privilege.

Tellergeld (Plate Fee):** This is a fee (like 2-4€ per guest) just for them to cut your cake and put it on their plates. Got 100 guests? That's 200-400€... just for cutting a cake.
Korkgeld (Corkage Fee): This is a fee for every... single... bottle... you bring in. It can be 3€ or it can be 30€!

Just do the math. Sometimes bringing your own stuff isn't really cheaper.

5. Vendor Meals & Tipping

This one's just about being nice. Remember, people like me (your photographer!), your planner, and your DJ are working a loooong 10-12 hour day. We're gonna get hungry! Please make sure there's a meal for us. Just ask your caterer about "vendor meals"—they're usually cheaper.

Also, tips! Don't forget all the service staff, drivers, and stylists. My finance-guy advice? Put aside 5-10% of your total budget just for tips. Stick 'em in envelopes, give them to your best man to hand out, and don't think about it again. Easy!

6. Paperwork & "Special" Fees

Even the boring legal stuff costs money. The basic civil ceremony (Standesamt) has a fee. But... want to get married on a Saturday? That's extra. Want to get married in that cool old castle? That's definitely extra. We're talking hundreds of Euros. And don't forget to pay for the documents themselves!

7. Alterations (Änderungen)

Let's be real: that dream dress (or suit) almost never fits perfectly right off the rack. Those alterations? They're not free. Plan on spending another 10-15% of the outfit's price to get it fitting just right. Make sure to ask for a cost estimate when you buy it!

8. Trial Styling and Beauty Treatments

You 100% need a hair and makeup trial. But guess what? It's not always included in the "day of" price. You've gotta ask! Also, don't forget to budget for all the other fun stuff, like manicures, facials, or teeth whitening, if you're planning on it.

9. Stationery, Postage, and The Little Things

Invitations, save-the-dates, menus, place cards, thank-you cards... all that paper adds up! And then you have to mail it all. Don't forget stamps (Porto)! This little category can easily hit a few hundred Euros before you know it.

10. All The Other Little Things

This is the "death by a thousand cuts" category. All the little bits and bobs that add up.

Deposits (Kautionen): You'll need to put down deposits for your venue, maybe a rental car, etc.
Extra Parties: Don't forget your engagement party or bachelor/bachelorette parties (Polterabend)!
Hotel Rooms: Rooms for you, or maybe for family that's flying in.
Gifts for Helpers: You've gotta get a little something for your bridal party and parents, right?

Tung's Advice: How to Keep Your Budget in Check

My inner finance guy is telling me: surprises are the enemy of a good budget.

Have a Buffer. Always. This is my #1 golden rule. Seriously. Put 10-15% of your total budget aside for all the "oops" moments.
Read Your Contracts! Like, really read them. As a vendor, I want you to be clear on everything. It should say exactly what's included, what the hours are, the overtime rate, if music fees (GEMA) are in there, and the cancellation policy.
Shop Around (Early!): Get quotes from a few different vendors. Compare them. Don't be afraid to negotiate a little!
Just Ask! Don't be shy. Ask your vendors point-blank: "Are there any other costs I should know about?"
Track Everything. Get an Excel sheet or an app. Write down every single dollar. Even the small stuff.
Ask Your Friends: Talk to anyone you know who just got married. Ask them what surprise costs got them.

My Final Thought

Look, planning a wedding is an amazing, wild ride. Don't let money stress ruin it for you.

After doing this for a while, I can promise you: a clear, honest plan from day one is the only way to have a chill, relaxed, and amazing wedding day.

I really hope these tips—from both Tung the photographer and Tung the finance geek—help you feel way more confident about your budget.

Now go have an unforgettable wedding!

Best,

Tung - Maii Studio