Tag: wedding

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Rules for Wedding Tipping and Gratuity

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There will be many vendors that you deal with on a regular basis throughout the planning of your wedding. While you will be paying each of these a certain amount of money, it is always best to consider offering them a gratuity for their services as well.

While most are not required, others are built into the contract and some people who are planning a wedding find it helpful to know what is customarily given to these vendors. Below you will find the gratuity amounts that you should expect to pay so that you can add them into your overall wedding budget.

Caterers – Wait Staff – Bartenders

This is one area that the gratuity is typically included in the contract when you first sign it; normally around 15% – 20%. However, some feel as though their caterer did an outstanding job in regards to handling their guests and offer an additional dollar or two per guest for this reason.

An additional 15 to 20% is also typically included in the contract, but if it is not you should offer the additional gratuity to the maître d’ with an additional 1% to 2%. Bartenders are also typically given 15 to 20% gratuity, but if they are not also accepting tips from your guests, it is best to add an additional 10% on top of this amount.

DJs – Bands

Neither of these vendors require a tip, but many people offer one if they have provided an exceptionally nice experience for the bride and groom or the guests. For DJs, the standard is to offer a 15% to 20% gratuity. For bands, the standard is $25 per band member.

Limo Drivers

Many couples choose to have a limo driver to transport them to the wedding venue, to the airport or other locations before and after the wedding. It is standard to offer this driver 15% to 20% after they have completed their services.

Other Vendors

Moroccan Pillows

Other vendors that you may conduct business with throughout the wedding planning process are photographers, videographers, florists, and bakers. Each of these provide something special to your wedding and it is usually typical to provide them each with a 15% to 20% gratuity.

While this is not required, nor will it be added into the contract, some feel as though these vendors have done an amazing job and wish to reward them for their hard work.

Wedding Planners

This is one of the main vendors that typically receive a gratuity after the wedding. They are usually in charge of many aspects of the wedding planning process and help make sure that everything comes together as planned. The customary gratuity for the wedding planner is 10% to 20%, but an additional 10% to 20% is sometimes offered for an exceptionally good job.

Conclusion

Gratuity may be one area of your budget that gets overlooked when you are setting up funds for your wedding. While most of these areas are not required, it is still standard to offer a gratuity to the vendors after the wedding.

In order to make sure you have the funds available, you should make sure that you add the proper amounts to your budget so that you can properly thank your staff for their hard work.

Best For Bride

Best for Bride can help you plan your perfect day from start to finish. They specialize in the perfect gown, décor, and accessories that any bride will need to feel beautiful on her big day.

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Tokens of Gratitude: Unveiling the Deep Significance of Wedding Favors!

The tradition of giving favors to wedding guests goes back centuries and was to thank guests for making the occasion special. We proceed with this custom today however wedding favors differ impressively, so what were the first wedding favors which were given hundreds of years prior? This article takes a gander at the history and hugeness of wedding favors.

Continue reading Tokens of Gratitude: Unveiling the Deep Significance of Wedding Favors!

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Planning an Inexpensive Wedding

Weddings can be very expensive and not all of us have the funds available to pay $10,000 to $20,000 on the wedding of our dreams. However, there are many ways that we can trim these costs and still have a beautiful wedding that doesn’t break the bank.

The Wedding Gown

Sophia Tolli SPRING 2013 Collection - Y11303 Octavia

While this is probably an area that you will want to splurge on, there are still ways that you can save on this important area. For example, you can purchase a dress that has been discounted or consider renting a gown rather than purchasing one.

The Reception

One of the most expensive aspects of the wedding process is the reception. One of the best ways to reduce the amount of money that is spent at the reception, consider only inviting a certain amount of people to the wedding. You can also consider providing less expensive food options instead of a three course meal as well.

Photography

You will obviously be looking to remember this special day and the photos that you take will be important. One way to save money is to shop around for a photographer with a better pricing structure. Most people also have family members who are fairly talented when it comes to photography and you may be able to hire someone you know at a discounted rate instead.

Invitations

There are so many different types and styles of wedding invitations that you will be able to find a beautiful option that is budget friendly. Be sure to look through your options and select one that fits best with your price range. You should also consider choosing an option that is made with less expensive materials as well.

Flowers

Carrying flowers and decorating with them has long been a wedding tradition, but it is also very expensive. You can easily save some money in this category by making a few simple changes however. For example, certain flowers cost more than others and you can save money by selecting a cheaper version.

The Cake

Road To Happiness

Another expensive and crucial part of your wedding is the wedding cake. By cutting down on the number of people that you invite, you will also be able to cut down on the size of this expensive feature. You can also select a flavor that is untraditional to save money as well. While it may not be a traditional tasting wedding cake, it will still taste fantastic.

Decorations

When decorating for your wedding, you can save money if you are a little bit open about the decorations that you choose. For example, you can always make the decorations yourself from scraps of material and items that you find at a discount. Making a different centerpiece for each table is also a fantastic option and you may be able to find discounted single items at wedding shops or online.

Conclusion

When you are planning your wedding, it is likely that you will find many expenses that you are expected to cover. However, there are many ways that you can work your budget so that you will save the maximum amount of money.

Best for Bride

If you are looking for a huge selection of wedding supplies, gowns and décor, you should look no further than Best for Bride. This wedding store offers many different items that will help you to plan the wedding of your dreams. There are four locations to serve the brides of the area and you will be thrilled at the selection that is being offered.

 

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When You’d Rather Have Cash

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Some engaged couples move in together long before they are married and have everything they need, not having to rely on bridal shower and wedding gifts to furnish their homes with a brand new toaster or the newest in entertainment. But many couples, however, struggle with the topic of how to ask for cash from their guests instead of gifts – here are some tips.

First off, it is perfectly acceptable for engaged couples to accept cash gifts if they are not the ones asking for it. Traditional wedding etiquette admonishes asking for cash, but if a wedding guest asks the engaged couple what they’d like, the best way is to tell them that you are thinking of saving for something special, such as an upcoming honeymoon.

Don’t just forgo the wedding registry – there’s always an option to include what you’d like as a gift without going to a department store and scanning towels and linens for people who want to buy you something or give you more than “just cash”. Some people believe that giving a physical gift is tradition at a wedding, so expect that you may get a new shower curtain or something decorative, but there are also sites that allow you to ask for items such as gift cards or cash towards a big purchase or a honeymoon.

One such site is called Tendr where guests can pick cards to send with their well wishes and cash, and they can even use all major credit cards. It doesn’t cost you anything to receive funds and it only costs them 2.7% and $1 for every transaction; likely cheaper than buying a card at a store. The site also tracks all of your gifts received so that you can thank the people who sent them.

Have your gift registry all sorted out? Stop by Best for Bride to start shopping for your wedding and bridesmaid dresses, accessories and more!