Tag: schedule

Posted on by — 3 Comments

5 Wedding expenses that you may overlook

It is important to budget everything at your wedding. Only then will you stick to what you can afford. A common mistake is to not account for the overhead costs when booking a service or vendor. These aren’t usually stated upfront, and unless you ask, you may have a nasty surprise when you receive the final bill.

These are the usual areas where couples wrongly budget and it leads to costs they didn’t expect.

Shipping Costs for Invitations

postage-stamps-484991_1280

Vendors usually do not mention charges inclusive of shipping when you place your order for your wedding invitations. Remember that the bulkier your card is, the more postage stamps or courier charges it will cost. Where hundred or more invitations are concerned, this can quickly add up, especially if many are to be sent overseas. When you receive an estimate for invitations, make sure you account for the postage charges as well. You may rethink your preferences when you figure it in.

Wedding dress fittings and alterations

via Best for Bride

It is unlikely to find a dress that fits perfectly when choosing off-the-rack. Every bride requires minimum alterations. Alteration services depend on the extent and nature of the work involved. You may have to pay more if you want custom changes, such as changing the neckline or adding sleeves.

First, fix an amount and set aside roughly 20% of it for alterations. Inform your bridal consultant of your wedding dress budget and mention that it is inclusive of all the overheads, so she can direct you to suitable ones. Make sure that you choose a dress that doesn’t need too much work by choosing the right size and finding one that has most of the features you desire.

Taxes and extras on services

money-256290_1280

There are taxes on everything from venue booking to caterers, florists and other services. The actual rate may depend on the amount you spend. Find out the cost inclusive of taxes, so you know whether what you chose is an option you can afford.

Extra charges at the reception include costs for cutting and serving the cake and serving wine. Unless you take an all-inclusive package where the cake and drinks come with the venue, it is likely you will have to pay the staff who perform the service. Make sure you discuss the rates before committing to the deal.

Cleaning up

If you have chosen a full-service, cleaning up after the function is usually included. However, if you are only renting the place and arranging the caterers and decorations yourself, you have to arrange for clean-up following the function, or else pay for it. Even if you book a full-service venue, make sure you know about any extra charges you may have to pay for late-night cleanup, should your party extend beyond midnight.

Extra equipment and overtime charges

waiting-410328_1280

Unless you stick to your original wedding schedule, you have to compensate for any extra time your service providers spend at your wedding. This applies to the band, DJ, caterers, wedding photographers, wedding officiants and wedding makeup artists. Book with a realistic time schedule, and you shouldn’t have to pay too much extra. Any additional equipment such as speakers or microphones, that will be required at your venue, will come at an extra cost. So, check this outright in the beginning.

For more wedding tips and advice, visit us at Best for Bride.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Cherishing the Elders: Tips to Ensure Your Older Guests Feel Valued and Comfortable at Your Wedding!

mother of the bride

grandmother-453131_1280

When planning your wedding, you should ensure all your guests have fun and enjoy every moment. There may not be too many old people attending your wedding, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to set some time aside and make a few special arrangements for them. Here are the small things you can do to ensure they are comfortable.

Look at their stay and transportation.

When an older guest or couple confirms that they will be attending, you should check their accommodation and transportation plans with them. Give clear directions and share the schedule so they can plan their day properly.

You could lend a helping hand with transporting them to and from the venue, so they do not face any hassles getting there. Coordinate with other guests or put a bridal party member in charge of ensuring they are taken to and from the function. If the wedding and reception are at different locations and they have their vehicle, you could ask them to park at the reception venue and take them from there to the wedding venue and back.

Check for disabled access at the venue.

It is a good idea to check ahead for wheelchair access at the venues. Similarly, if there is a staircase or narrow steps to climb, it is sensible to assign someone to assist your older guests to make it inside comfortably. If it is a church wedding, ask that they be seated at the ends of rows so it’s easier for them to settle in and step out. After the ceremony, make sure someone walks them out.

If your guests have to wait outside before they can enter the venue, make sure there are seating arrangements. Otherwise, ask them to arrive at the venue on time so they do not have to be kept standing.

Assign a bridesmaid or groomsman the duty of taking care of them.

Put someone in charge of your elderly guests while they are at your wedding. Ensure that this is someone considerate and sensible and can help them appropriately. Please place them in charge of checking their charges regularly and ensuring everything they want is handled. When a particular person has to handle this responsibility, you know who to turn to should these guests need assistance.

Seat them with company.

Planing the seating arrangements so the older guests keep each other company is a good idea. At the reception, arrange comfortable couches in a warm area where they can relax and chat with each other if they do not want to dance. Have coffee and tea nearby so they can help themselves. Please encourage them to join you on the dance floor by including tunes in your playlist that they are likely to enjoy.

Be punctual and stick to your shared schedule so they do not have to wait around and become uncomfortable. Make sure they go home safely with fond memories of your big day.

You can find more wedding-related tips and advice at Best for Bride.