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Hidden wedding costs, or hidden wedding costs, are usually found in what is not included in the quote. Think VAT (9% on food, 21% on alcohol and venue hire), extra staffing hours, and drinks charged based on actual consumption. It is also easy to overlook tableware and furniture rental, delivery, setup and breakdown, plus meals for your photographer and DJ. For that reason, convert every quote into one per guest figure that includes VAT and everything you need on the day. Only then can you see which quote is genuinely the best value. It is often not the one with the lowest headline price per person.

Why does your wedding cost more than the total of your quotes?

Most couples build their wedding budget by adding up their quotes. The problem is that every quote is based on assumptions: a set number of hours, a fixed guest count and estimated drink consumption. Change one of those assumptions and the final bill changes too. (Services)

The figures from the National Wedding Survey show how quickly costs can add up. According to NN, couples spend an average of € 7.522 on a wedding venue, catering and décor. That estimate is based on a wedding with 52 daytime guests and 102 evening guests. The full wedding, including the honeymoon, came to around € 18.000 on average in the 2019 survey of 1.131 couples. Prices are higher in 2026, so treat these figures as a starting point rather than a reliable budget.

The biggest expense, your venue and catering, is also where the most variables tend to sit. An evening that runs an hour late, twenty extra guests who decide to come, or an open bar that proves more popular than expected: these are not supplier mistakes. They are terms already tucked away in the small print, but often missed when comparing quotes.

Timing matters too. Many couples book their venue and caterer a year or more in advance. A quote is generally valid for a limited period, and suppliers often price according to the year in which the event takes place. Always ask whether the quoted amount is fixed or may still be indexed. For a broader look at planning an event, how to organise a wedding or private party without the stress covers everything involved.

Which hidden wedding costs are missing from the quote?

Hidden wedding costs generally fall into four categories. Here is what to look for in each quote.

VAT and other taxes

Some suppliers, particularly those who mainly work with businesses, list their prices excluding VAT. That can complicate wedding budgeting because different rates apply to different services. According to HLB Nederland, alcohol and venue hire are subject to the higher 21% rate. Food and non alcoholic drinks fall under the 9% rate. A drinks package that includes wine and beer will therefore cost proportionally more once VAT is added than the dinner itself.

Are you booking hotel rooms for yourselves or your guests through the venue? According to the Belastingdienst, accommodation has been subject to 21% VAT rather than 9% since 1 January 2026. This also applies if you paid in 2025 for an overnight stay in 2026. Older price lists and quotes may therefore be out of date.

Municipal fees can also vary significantly by day and time. According to NN, getting married at the town hall on a Sunday costs an average of € 799,43, compared with € 374,95 from Monday to Thursday. Check your own municipality’s website for current rates.

Staffing and timing

Waiting staff are usually charged by the hour or per service period. If dinner runs late or the dance floor stays busy longer than planned, you may pay extra for chefs, waiting staff and bar staff. Ask about surcharges for Sundays, public holidays and work after midnight too. Many suppliers bill these separately.

Rentals and logistics

At a venue without its own inventory, everything has to be brought in. That may include crockery, glassware, cutlery, linens, cocktail tables, chairs, refrigerated trailers and sometimes a marquee or generator. Delivery, setup, breakdown, washing up, breakages and waste removal are often charged separately. If you are marrying in your own garden or an empty barn, these costs can become substantial.

Costs around the day itself

Then there are the smaller expenses nobody budgets for:

• meals for your photographer, videographer, DJ or band, often specified in their contract;
• corkage if you bring your own wine or champagne;
• cake cutting or serving fees for a cake from another bakery;
• surcharges for dietary requirements or a separate children’s menu;
• a minimum spend or minimum guest count set by the venue;
• late night food, which is optional in many quotes.

All inclusive price per guest or separate suppliers: Which quote is really cheaper?

Imagine you request two quotes for 100 guests. One offers dinner for around € 45 per person. The other comes in at around € 60 per person, but includes service staff, tableware, transport and VAT. On paper, the first option seems clearly cheaper. Once you add staffing, equipment hire, travel costs and VAT to that first quote, the difference can disappear or even reverse.

This is where comparisons often go wrong. The lowest per person price tells you very little until you know exactly what it includes. An all inclusive quote puts more into one figure, while separate line items leave more open to change. The table below compares the two.

An all inclusive price is not automatically cheaper. Its advantage is predictability: you can see roughly what the day will cost before you commit. With separate suppliers, you may be able to negotiate better prices, especially if you arrange your own tableware or furniture. But you also take on the risk of duplicate travel costs and gaps between suppliers. Who is responsible for setup? Who washes the glasses? Read when to book catering, styling and production separately for your wedding to find out when separate suppliers do and do not make sense.

Pay close attention to drinks in either setup. A drinks package for a fixed number of hours is predictable, but every extension costs extra. Drinks charged by actual consumption may feel flexible, but they are hard to budget for during a large evening celebration. Ask the supplier what a comparable wedding typically consumed and budget for the higher end of that estimate.

How can you keep your wedding affordable without surprises later?

The right approach largely depends on your venue and how much risk you are comfortable taking on. If you are marrying at a venue with its own kitchen, inventory and staff, many costs may already be covered by the venue price. Comparing options then mainly comes down to hours and drinks. If you are getting married in a garden, barn or empty hall, everything has to come from outside. That is where hidden wedding costs quickly pile up.

A useful rule of thumb is this: do not ask for the lowest price, ask for the most likely final bill. Ask every supplier to quote for your actual day, guest count and end time, including VAT. Also ask for a second figure based on the evening running one hour later. The difference between those figures shows how much risk is still hidden in the quote.

You can save money, but do it deliberately. A Friday or weekday is often less expensive at both the municipality and the venue. A smaller daytime celebration with a larger evening party can significantly reduce dinner costs. A fixed end time and a clear drinks package can also prevent the most expensive charges after the event. For guide prices per guest, the cost of wedding catering for 100 guests in Brabant is a helpful starting point.

Here is how to approach it:

• Convert every quote into one per guest amount, including VAT, staffing, rentals and transport.
• Treat every item described as “based on”, “from” or “charged afterwards” as a risk item.
• Ask in writing whether prices are fixed or may be indexed before your wedding date.
• Confirm the deadline for providing your final guest count.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a wedding cost?

On average, a complete wedding including a honeymoon came to around € 18.000 in the 2019 National Wedding Survey. Prices are higher in 2026 and costs vary widely. Guest numbers, the day of the week and the type of venue make the biggest difference. Start with your guest list and venue, not an average figure.

How much does each wedding guest cost?

The cost per guest can differ considerably between daytime and evening guests. A daytime guest means dinner, drinks and sometimes lunch or afternoon tea. An evening guest will mainly add drinks and canapés. Use two per guest figures rather than one average, otherwise you may underestimate the impact of adding another table to dinner.

How do you calculate the cost of a wedding for 100 guests?

First, split your guest list into daytime and evening guests, then request a VAT inclusive price for each group. Add fixed costs that do not increase per guest, such as venue hire, setup, production and transport. Keep a buffer for overtime and drinks as well, typically around 5 to 10% of the total in practice.

What extra costs can a wedding DJ charge?

In addition to their hourly fee, a DJ may charge travel expenses, an extension fee for playing beyond the agreed finish time, and sometimes additional lighting or sound equipment. Many DJs and bands also require a meal and drinks during the event. Check whether your venue has a sound limiter or a fixed closing time, as this determines whether an extension is even possible.

How do you pay for a wedding without unexpected costs?

A payment schedule for each supplier helps. This usually includes a deposit when booking, a second payment shortly before the wedding, and a final invoice afterwards. That final invoice is often where drink charges, extra hours and changes in guest numbers appear. Set money aside for it and agree in advance how and when these items will be settled.

Which hidden wedding costs should you check first?

Start with your biggest expense, the venue and catering, and convert those quotes into one per guest price that includes VAT, staffing and rentals. Do that for every quote and you will spot hidden wedding costs before signing, rather than on the final invoice.

La Casserole brings together catering, styling, production, rentals and project management with one central point of contact. Want to know what your wedding will cost with everything included? Request a quote for wedding catering in Eindhoven and Brabant and have your day calculated around your guest count and finishing time.

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