What's Your Hidden Cost(S) So Far?

[BrideToBeJolie]

Yeah I need to hash this out with my WC more....I just feel if i am literally asking them to place a lantern and candle on each of 5 tables (that my MOH could do if she could) there shouldn't be like a 200$ charge, which I could see my resort doing, but then again I have to ask the exact charges

and i really hope they wouldn't charge me to bring my own real touch flowers for bouquets

Check with your WC.  I was told that I wouldn't be charged a fee for set up.  This also includes any items that I bring for them to set up.  Within reason, of course. 

[KAT2015]

We aren't too bad with hidden costs yet.  Just things I didn't think about as part of a wedding (such as marriage before, rings, dog boarding etc.).  Obvious costs, but I was thinking day of only.

 

The resort we are getting married at does have some hidden costs, but all you have to do is ask the right questions. 

 

For instance - for the ceremony, every guest over 25 people is $14 (so the chair set up, the champagne toast and cake). For the cocktail hour it is $12 per person over 25 and the dinner is $40 pp over 25.  So every (adult) over 25 is going to be $66.  I budgeted for the full guest list 'just in case'.

 

Our resort will charge us for decor we bring, but just make sure you keep your WC in the loop as to what you want to bring down and they can give you estimates.  For instance, the resort will charge 25% of their fee to set up our items.  However, I am doing chair sashes, just on the back and aisle chairs.  They charge $1 per sash.  BUT I am also wanting some tissue poms tied onto the aisle sashes, and she said they would include that in the $1.

 

Same for centrepieces - show them photos of what you want to bring and they'll quote you the price.  That way, when you get there you have the amounts documented so you don't wind up getting a different number there.  I am keeping it simple - first choice is some nice driftwood for the centre, and some pillar candles.  Maybe some jewels or flower petals on the table.  

 

I assume EVERYTHING will cost me more, so I'm constantly asking questions and re-working our numbers.  

[linaco80]

@@KAT2015 Yeah I hear you, asking questions is the best. I do ask a LOT lol and when I go back to make my decision I am confused with so much info.

Definitely, stamps are for me something I did not account for and my vendor fees are also killing me since I do not like the vendors they offer (It is my own choice) , I have noticed that girls tip and that is one that I did not think of, plus taxes for food or any services if those are not included yet. I think my gifts to the wedding party is something that I was not adding to the bud   Oh boy...expenses keep flowing

[chelseapaige37]

I think we have all of our expenses calculated now with 6 weeks to go, but we didn't take into account converting cad to usd. Dumb right? But it'll be quite a bit of $$ when it's all send in done. Also, we thought fiancées vacation pay would cover our bills while we are gone. It is way short. We just need to come up with another $3000 and we are all paid for.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[spjwedding]

I have a small party at a beach club so no chair issue for me but, the hidden/unexpected fees have been the wire transfer fees, the paypal conversion fees (US to MX), and credit card international fees!

[calgarybride2015]

I think we have all of our expenses calculated now with 6 weeks to go, but we didn't take into account converting cad to usd. Dumb right? But it'll be quite a bit of $$ when it's all send in done. Also, we thought fiancées vacation pay would cover our bills while we are gone. It is way short. We just need to come up with another $3000 and we are all paid for.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Is your resort charging you in USD?  I was really upset about this because our deposit was in USD and we aren't American and neither are they! I was wracking my brain about how to avoid the conversion (bring the money, hit up a bank there, etc.)A recent bride at our resort told me that they actually charge the wedding in pesos, so on the credit card it will go pesos to Canadian. I hope this is true for me too, because the dollar sucks right now.  I think the photog charges in USD per price sheet but plan to ask to be charged in pesos.  Not comfortable going to exchange at their bank just in case! 

I have a small party at a beach club so no chair issue for me but, the hidden/unexpected fees have been the wire transfer fees, the paypal conversion fees (US to MX), and credit card international fees!

 

Does paypal ding you?  More than just a normal conversion?  I didn't think going back and forth with pesos to be that bad - we get $12 pesos to $1 CDN.  With Canadians it sucks to have to use USD instead of Canadian as we lose on the exchange (like A LOT), but going pesos to Canadian is fine. Unless I am having a blonde moment here.

Edited September 11, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[chelseapaige37]

Is your resort charging you in USD? I was really upset about this because our deposit was in USD and we aren't American and neither are they! I was wracking my brain about how to avoid the conversion (bring the money, hit up a bank there, etc.)A recent bride at our resort told me that they actually charge the wedding in pesos, so on the credit card it will go pesos to Canadian. I hope this is true for me too, because the dollar sucks right now. I think the photog charges in USD per price sheet but plan to ask to be charged in pesos. Not comfortable going to exchange at their bank just in case!

 

 

Does paypal ding you? More than just a normal conversion? I didn't think going back and forth with pesos to be that bad - we get $12 pesos to $1 CDN. With Canadians it sucks to have to use USD instead of Canadian as we lose on the exchange (like A LOT), but going pesos to Canadian is fine. Unless I am having a blonde moment here.

 

Yes it's usd! We've also been hit with PayPal and wire transfer fees as well!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[calgarybride2015]

What are you using paypal for? I use it for etsy and eBay

I had to send a copy of my credit card to the resort and they charged me $500 us for the deposit. Which was $561 Canadian. But everything else is listed in pesos.

 

So what kind of a fee is it? Like over and above the conversion? I've just never seen it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited September 11, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[spjwedding]

yes over and above the conversion. Paypal charges the company and the company passes it on. We're not getting married at a resort so we have had deposits for our WC, photog, and catamaran cruise all via paypal because it was less than the bank wire fee. Last year I stayed at a Secrets resort and they tell you upfront there is a foreign transaction fee of 3% to use a credit card. That was the first time after traveling in Mexico for years I had that happen at a resort. Otherwise, it's all over the credit card info too.

[calgarybride2015]

yes over and above the conversion. Paypal charges the company and the company passes it on. We're not getting married at a resort so we have had deposits for our WC, photog, and catamaran cruise all via paypal because it was less than the bank wire fee. Last year I stayed at a Secrets resort and they tell you upfront there is a foreign transaction fee of 3% to use a credit card. That was the first time after traveling in Mexico for years I had that happen at a resort. Otherwise, it's all over the credit card info too.

Crappy!!

I only used my credit card twice in Mexico. Once on resort and once at ATM and never got charged over the conversion of USD! Hope to keep it that way.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited September 11, 2014 by calgarybride2015