Tag: wedding tips

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Rules for Wedding Tipping and Gratuity

Alexandria

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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Valentine Wedding Planning

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One of the most romantic times of the year to hold a wedding is on Valentine’s Day. It is the day that we devote to love every year and the perfect occasion to become married. Since the holiday is such a romantic occasion, there are many different design schemes to choose from and brides will find an endless amount of décor and attire options to choose from.

Choosing a specific theme for your Valentine Day wedding can also be something fun. Just as you will find many different styles of Valentine Day wedding dresses and décor, you will also find many different themes to choose from as well. Below are some options that are fun and romantic and that will fit nicely with Valentine’s Day.

Showing Love

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Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to hold a wedding around the story of your love. Every couple has special moments in their relationship and planning a wedding around that story is a great idea for any couple. If you met on the ski slopes or in Paris, there are some perfect decorations and attire ideas that can best showcase this history. You can also add to the occasion by including photos of your time together as well.

Valentine Invitations

Instead of sending traditional wedding invitations or save the date cards, dress up the theme by creating Valentine card styled invitations instead. It can even be fun to include Valentine cards for your guests to fill out for you instead of a wedding book. Then, you will have something fun to remember your wedding with and guests can provide a personal note to the happy couple. You can even use Valentine’s as place cards as well.

Romance is in the Air

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Another great idea is to create a wedding reception area that is filled with romance. Add soft lighting and colors that will make the room feel romantic and glamorous. Adding lots of candlelight to the room is also a great addition. If you have a space that allows a fireplace or fire pit, this can also create a romantic flow. Instead of champagne or wine for toasts, you can offer pink cosmopolitans or chocolate martinis instead. Decorating the tables with conversation hearts or red cinnamon hearts is also a nice touch.

Conclusion

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Make sure that you include your wedding cake design with the theme as well. Keep in mind that you can change the filling to be something that fits with the theme as well. Red velvet and strawberry are fantastic options. Chocolate covered fruits are also a romantic item to include as well.

There are so many ways that you can create a romantic Valentine’s Day wedding. Whether you are looking to add some simple romantic touches or go all out in the love department, you can easily create a wedding with a theme that fits perfectly with the holiday.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride will help you to find all the right supplies for your Valentine Day Wedding. They offer convenient locations as well as a large supply of dresses and wedding décor. You will be able to make one stop when you choose this store for your wedding day planning.

 

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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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Some Interesting Wedding Practices and their Origins

engagement ring

Weddings represent some of the best moments in a person’s life and that of his family and friends. Various cultures hold wedding ceremonies filled with all sorts of traditions, some which are controversial. Increase in globalization has led to common adoption of certain mainstream practices which may still have some local touch. The following practices are now common in most weddings around the world, but have you ever wondered to think about their origins? You could be in for a surprise!

The Wedding Ring

ring

Rings were valuable items often used in barter trade in the Middle East and Asia. They were made from precious metals such as Gold or Silver. Till today, rings are exchanged as dowry. However it was Pope Innocent III who popularized the wedding ring worn on the finger through a decree. There is some debate as to why it has to be worn on the third finger, but the popular belief is that it originated from an ancient Egyptian myth that this finger is directly connected to the heart.

Wedding banns or Marriage License

banns

Although the announcement of wedding banns is losing popularity in favor of marriage licenses, they are still quite common in countries with strong Christian following. It is believed that there were introduced to prevent incestuous relationships. During this time anybody could make a claim on the wedding not going ahead because of a possible blood relation between the couple. The modern marriage license only restricts weddings on legal grounds.

The “Best Man”

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Until the late 18th century it was common for the bride to be kidnapped from home before the wedding. The suitor/bridegroom often set out with a party of friends to conduct the kidnapping. The one who showed the most skill or bravery in the kidnap became the “best man” at the wedding.

The “White Wedding”

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This practice is so common in modern weddings that many may overlook its origins. In fact this practice never existed until two hundred year ago. The bride simple used to appear on the wedding day wearing her best dress. It was Queen Victoria who commissioned a white laced dress for her wedding to Prince Albert.

The “Honey Moon”

Couple on a beach

In ancient Rome, newly married couples would retreat to seclusion for a period of one month. During this time family members will take turns to deliver “honey wine” which was thought to aid fertility.

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