WEDDING NOTES™ - Tipping for Wedding Services

Who should I tip and how much is a usual question our consultant's are asked.  Our advice is preceded by a reminder that tipping should always be about a job well done.  Consider this basic premise when allocating dollars for tips and increase or decrease from the following guidelines based on the service provided.  For simplicity sake, it is usually best to entrust tips to one person - the bride's father or the best man on the wedding day and to have the amonts prepared in advance and in labeled envelopes for distribution wherever possible.

Here are some service providers and suggested guidelines for gratuities.

• ·         Hair stylists - 15% -20% of the fees, plus 5% for the shampoo assistant.
• ·         Makeup artists - 15% to 20% of fees
• ·         Valets - $1 -$2 per car to be divided among all valets
• ·         Coat Checkers - $1- $2 per coat to be divided among all checkers
• ·         Chauffeurs - 15% - 20% of transportation bill
• ·         Catering staff - up to 20% of catering bill to be divided among all staff
• ·         Bartenders - 15% to 20% of bar bill if tipping by guests was permitted as in a cash bar, or up to 30% if guests were not permitted to tip.

For officiants at ceremonies and musicians/soloists check with your ceremony site contact about the usual fee.  If they say "free will offering" here are usual guidelines. 

• ·         For civil ceremony officiates - $50 - $75 - and for religious officiants the same.  The best man can handle distribution of these for the couple.
• ·         Ceremony soloists or pianist/organist - $35 to $75

Even florists, photographers, videographers, bakes, seamstresses may sometimes deserve tips under extraordinary circumstances.  Remember to include a line item in your wedding budget for tips to insure that no one will be forgotten.

WEDDING NOTES™ - Seven Tips from Wedding Planners

Professional wedding planners and designers from WEDDINGS BEAUTIFUL WORLDWIDE (WBW) have lots of helpful hints for brides as they plan their weddings.   While they may not guarantee a bump free road, some preplanning can minimize the likelihood of problems on your big day.

*If you really can't afford a wedding designer or have dreamed of doing much of the wedding planning yourself, consider hiring a wedding planner that offers a "week or day of" coordinator.  Especially if your wedding is large and will be held at multiple locations, the coordinator can be a life saver and will insure that all the plans will be carried out without bumps.

*When looking around for a wedding site, consider a single location for the ceremony, the reception and hotel accommodations.  It will not only minimize travel complications, but may turn out to be more cost effective than having guests and the wedding party traveling all over town to get to events.

*Attend bridal shows early in your engagement.  They can be fun and the source of super ideas and resources.  Don't plan on attending too many, that will only result in information overload.  Pick a couple early on in your planning phase and then stop.

*Number the backs of RSVP cards to correspond to the guest address lists.  When the cards come back to you you'll know who has responded and who hasn't, plus it will help to decipher illegible handwriting.

*If your wedding venue has multiple weddings on your weekend, check to see what rentals the other brides are using.  You may be able to use rented greenery or tables and chairs at a special rate.  You won't know until you ask.

*Bring extra shoes in your wedding case.  You have chosen your wedding shoes clearly, but you never know.  Bring heels, a pair of wedges and a pair of flats.  Heels have been broken just before the trip down the aisle.  A few pairs of footwear options are very reassuring.

*Pack your emergency kit.  Include tissues, double stick tape, medications, sewing kit, scissors, band aids, and breath mints.  Also tuck in a single knee high nylon stocking.  It works wonders to remove deodorant marks on dresses.

WEDDING NOTES™ - New Versions of Old Ideas

Today's brides find themselves wanting both a tie to traditions and a wedding that reflects their unique view of life.  Our brides have shared their concerns and wishes with our consultants over the years and this is what we have learned from them.

*It's the bride's big day.  That's true, it is a big day for her.  The bride is the centerpiece and every bride is beautiful.  But wielding that concept can easily slip into "It's all about me and what I want" mentality.  When in fact, a wedding is "our" big day.  The bride wouldn't be a bride without the groom and he would not be a groom without his bride.  This is a day to celebrate the couple and the new family they are creating.  A wedding is the union of two families and this event is a celebration of that reality.

*Guests need favors.  They really don't need to take home a box of candy, or flower seeds, nor are they likely to plant a tree that they got from a wedding (the parents of the bride may or the couple may).  Most guests would prefer to nibble on wedding cake at the reception and not carry a slice home in a beautifully wrapped package.  Really think through the whole concept of favors.  If you love gifting guests, go for it and find the perfect picture frame or monogrammed bottle of wine or handmade truffles.  But guests don't need a gift.

*The groom can't see me before the ceremony.  Yes he can!  Especially if you have multiple venues to drive to as part of the wedding day plans.  More and more couples complain that the day goes by in a haze as both bride and groom seek out guests and go from event to event.  Some of the most meaningful time couples have spent is time together before the wedding.  Dressed in their wedding garb, they take the time to be together, to contemplate what they are about to do and to relish in their love for each other.  He will think the bride is beautiful in her gown whether he sees her before she walks down the aisle or as she does.

*This is THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF MY LIFE.   No it isn't!  It is an important day, but your life together is just beginning.  There will be milestones throughout your lives together.  Your life will be filled with many memorable and important days.  This one is the first - not the only.