Tag: tips

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Gratitude in Action: The Essential Guide to Tipping for Your Wedding Services!

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Is it obligatory to tip every vendor at your wedding? Or is it alright to assume that the vendor charges cover their services and you needn’t add gratuities into your already-stretched wedding budget?

Wedding tipping is a tricky area, with no set rules on what is right and what isn’t. More often than not, it is up to the couple to decide whether they want to tip a vendor or not. If you aren’t really sure of what to do, this guide will help you recognize who you should tip and who you can skip.

Ground and set-up staff

These people do most of the hard work, like moving or setting up equipment and furniture at the venue. So, they deserve a tip for their efforts. You can budget roughly $10 per person. This list also includes anyone who delivers gifts or the important items from your baker, florist etc.

At your reception venue, unless you have taken an all-inclusive package, you will have to pay the staff in charge of serving wine or cutting cake, separately. In both cases, it is common practice to tip these attendants, and you can put aside roughly 15% of the food expenses for this purpose. To avoid double-tipping, check your contract for whether it includes service charges and make your decision accordingly.

Hair and Makeup

Similar to when you visit a beauty salon, these staff expect a tip for their service. How much you pay will depend on how well you think they performed the job.

Florist and Baker

It isn’t usually necessary to tip your florist or baker, as their rates normally include gratuity. One way to know whether it would be appropriate to tip the person you are dealing with is to read your contract. If it includes service charges, you do not have to tip again. Another thing to remember is that you needn’t tip a vendor who owns the service, but it is right to tip employees.

Wedding planner

It is optional to tip your wedding planner, but you can always do so if you appreciate the effort the team put in, to make your wedding a success. You can also show your appreciation by giving them a nice gift instead of cash. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to your wedding planner if you loved what they did, and make sure you do this soon after the wedding. A good review and photos for their portfolio would be nice too.

Photographers and Musicians

It is optional in both cases, but if you are happy with their service or if they exceed your expectations, don’t hesitate to tip them. Again, if the photographer is the owner of the business, you can always skip it. For the musicians, if they did a splendid job and kept the evening alive and active, you can tip them.

Apart from the customary tips, you should appreciate anyone who has made a special effort to do the job well. Don’t think of the rules if you think they did a splendid job, and also send out a thank-you note afterwards. In a business where customer satisfaction decides a vendor’s business prospects, it will be well-appreciated if you can provide them a good online review or recommend them to your engaged friends

To obtain more wedding advice and tips, and also find everything you need for your wedding, visit us at Best for Bride.

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Trends for Brides

The wedding season is in full swing, and many interesting trends are taking place this year that are pretty exciting in the wedding world. While many brides choose to stray from the norm, the popular trends this year are attractive to most brides and help create a beautiful experience for the couple, the wedding party and the guests. Consider some of the following if you are getting married this year.

British Style

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Due to the popularity of Princess Kate and Downton Abbey, many brides are choosing to go with a British flare for their weddings. This new design is centred around an afternoon tea or a garden party. Frequently, tables are left uncovered, or brides may cover them with a vintage lace cloth. Garlands and loose floral centrepieces are also a popular addition. Blooms like English roses, dahlias, peonies and hydrangeas are the most common at these weddings.

Champagne and Signature Cocktails

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Another popular trend this year is to forgo the traditional drinks and the open bar. Instead, brides choose to go with champagne that can be mixed with fruit puree or signature cocktails. These not only are easier on the budget, but they create a customized and fun addition to the receptions.

Tasting Stations

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Tasting stations are also becoming quite popular with signature cocktails and special champagne. However, these tasting stations focus more on food than drinks. These allow couples to show off their favourite foods in small and fun ways. Some of the most popular additions are make-it-yourself taco stands, oyster shucking stations and macaroni and cheese bars. Some couples have even chosen to have local food trucks present for their wedding rather than going for a traditional formal dinner arrangement.

Fancy Cakes

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Another popular trend this year is cakes that dare you to touch them. These cakes are created with unique textures and designs that make them appear as though they are not a cake. Herringbone, geometric patterns and three-dimensional lattices are popular designs for today’s wedding cakes. However, many brides are still choosing lace patterns, textured buttercream frosting and pleats to add a more romantic feel to the occasion.

Photos

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In the past, photo booths were a popular addition. However, these days, couples are choosing something a bit more interesting. Many couples have decided to hire a silhouette artist who will create memorable portraits of their guests. Not only is this a fun idea, but it also gives guests something they can bring home to remember the special occasion.

Conclusion

2015 is going to be an exciting year to become married. With the many trends that are taking place, you can easily create a beautiful wedding with some fun modern twists.

Don’t forget to stop by Best for Bride so that you can have all of your wedding day supplies in one location. Here, you will find all the best dresses for the year and will be able to choose your wedding décor as well.

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Wedding Planning : The 3 things brides worry about the most and how to handle them

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You’re in love and just engaged – how romantic and dreamy everything looks and feels! But, not for long. Once wedding planning enters the picture, the excitement can quickly take on a new form called Stress!

Most brides will be planning a wedding for the first time. So, it isn’t unusual to feel overwhelmed. If you are a perfectionist, who wants everything to go exactly as you dreamed it to be, be prepared to watch your stress levels soar. All this can take all the fun out of your wedding.

Here, we shall look at three factors that drown most brides in worry. Fortunately, we also know what will help you with them, so let’s find out.

1. The wedding budget

Everything related to a wedding boils down to money. Every vendor and service you require for your wedding will have to be paid. Add to it the additional cost of planning your honeymoon and getting favors for your near and dear; get ready to say goodbye to your bank balance.

The way to handle this is to plan your wedding budget sensibly and realistically. Determine the maximum you can afford to spend, and divide it amongst the different factors. Remember that you can plan a wedding for any budget, big or small. So, fix your budget first and then shop around for what fits it.

Don’t forget to factor in the extras when you book a vendor or go shopping. This would include the alteration charges when buying a wedding dress, tips and taxes for vendors and similar charges which may or may not be included with the original rates.

2. Handling help

Announce your wedding, and you will find many people rushing to your aid to plan the perfect wedding. Their advice may be well-intended, but many brides often find their own ideas slipping through when an overbearing friend or relative steps in to help.

If you are faced with this situation, just remember this. Wedding planning has a dark side to it; you cannot have everything perfect, while pleasing everyone. If someone tries to force their ideas on you, tell them that you will think over it, but don’t commit unless you are convinced.

Delegate small tasks to those who are eager to help, but not any of the bigger responsibilities that you cannot take chances with. If your parents or in-laws are paying, you have to make allowances for their suggestions. Work to find a compromise that both of you can live with.

3. Getting it all done on time

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When you first make a list of things to do, you may be worried by how long it is. From shopping for your wedding dress, to buying accessories, setting up the guest list, planning the wedding theme and finding the venue, there are several more things to be handled.

Don’t worry, it’s all manageable if you plan everything systematically. Before you begin with anything, first split up the tasks and assign dates to each one of them. Divide it into those you will handle and those you can delegate. If you can afford it, book a wedding planner to do all or some of the work. Do your research before you begin anything, and you will be better equipped to handle all the details. Keep the big picture in mind. If what you worry about doesn’t matter too much, don’t lose sleep over it.

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