| Often-forgot cost | Typical size |
|---|---|
| Service charge on catering & venue | 20–25% of food + venue — NOT the tip |
| Sales tax | 5–10% depending on state |
| Vendor tips (catering staff, DJ, photo, drivers) | $600–$1,200 total |
| Marriage license | $35–$150 by county |
| Dress alterations | $300–$700 |
| Invitations + postage | $400–$800 (stamps alone run $150+) |
| Overtime charges if the party runs late | $250–$500 per vendor per hour |
| Beauty trials, day-of meals for vendors, coat check, shuttles | $300–$900 |
Tiered 2026 US vendor prices (venue, per-guest catering, photo/video, attire, flowers, music, cake) plus the commonly unquoted layer: 22% service charge on venue and food, ~8% sales tax, scaled vendor tips, and the license-alterations-postage bundle. All figures are planning estimates, not quotes.
Prices vary enormously by metro — Manhattan and rural Kansas are different planets. Engagement ring, honeymoon and rehearsal dinner are excluded. The tier prices are midpoints from industry surveys (The Knot, Zola) rounded for planning; real quotes will differ.
planned = venue + guests × catering + photo + attire + flowers + music + cake
forgotten = 22% service + 8% tax on (venue+food) + tips + $1,000 small stuff
total = planned + forgotten · per guest = total ÷ guests