Savannah Wedding Planner - Re Defining Moments

Budgeting For The Wedding: Who Pays For What

Karen Moore of Re Defining Moments - Savannah's Wedding Planner, shares information on who traditionally pays for what.

When it comes to wedding expenses, and who pays for which wedding service, the options have become more and more flexible – as older traditions have faded in a more modern and contemporary society.

However, there are still many families and couples who plan traditional weddings. That often means a traditional structure. So, what does the Grooms family pay for and what does the Bride’s family pay for? Who pays for the Reception and rehearsal dinner?

If you are planning a traditional wedding and want everything to be in order, then these are important information you will want to know.

Groom and His Family

• Bride’s engagement and wedding rings
• Groom’s wedding attire
• Rehearsal dinner
• Marriage license
• Accommodations for out-of-town ushers
• Alcohol at reception
• Wedding gifts for the bride, best man and ushers
• Flowers for the bride’s bouquet, corsages for the mothers and grandmothers
• Boutonnieres for ushers, ring bearers and fathers
• Officiant's fee
• Honeymoon and transportation to the honeymoon

 Bride and Bride's Family

• Wedding consultant’s fee
• Invitations, personal notes and mailing expense
• Transportation for the wedding party
• Wedding dress, headpiece and accessories
• Lingerie
• Attendants’ bouquets
• Groom’s gift
• Guest book
• Cost of the reception
• Cost of the ceremony
• Photography and Videography expense
• Groom’s wedding ring
• Favors
• Accommodations for out-of-town bride’s attendants

 Bridesmaids

• Wedding attire - Bridesmaid dress, shoes & accessories
• Travel costs
• Shower and wedding gift for the couple
• Shower given by bridesmaids and/or maid of honor

 Groomsmen

• Wedding attire rental
• Wedding gift for the couple
• Travel costs
• Bachelor party given by best man and/or ushers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please share your thoughts and comments with Re Defining Moments  or email karen@unbridledimagination.com.

Contact Information:
Savannah Wedding Planner - Re Defining Moments
Telephone:            (800) 698-1310

Brides, Do Your Homework

Image Credit: DVB Photography

I spend allot of time on the web. It is a wonderful resource for businesses. The web can work either in your favor or against you. Your online reputation is a considerable asset.  Because of my profession as a wedding planner I am always interested in finding out what my former clients have to say about me.

In this business, as in all business’s a good reputation is hard to build and can be destroyed in a matter of moments. I have worked hard to maintain an impeccable reputation for Re {defining moments}.  

All things being done in a spirit of excellence. I have been in this industry for almost 11 years and have seen my share of business’s come and go.

The most disheartening thing is when I read about a bride’s wedding dreams being shattered by the lack of professionalism and due diligence on the part of wedding professionals.

As I read through a thread on a travel advisory website I was lead to a thread describing numerous postings regarding awful wedding experiences with a local wedding planner. I found this quite disturbing and felt compelled to post some advice for future brides.

As wedding professionals we only have one opportunity to get it right. I love what I do and I feel that I truly have a passion for weddings as well as my clients.

My advice to anyone who is searching for a planner is to do your homework. Research the planner. The Better Business Bureau and your local Chamber of Commerce are great places to start.

Weddingwire.com is wonderful tool for both brides and wedding professionals! I randomly select clients to visit weddingwire and review the services provided to them. A true and genuine review from a bride will not lie!

A former bride will give you a true, un-biased, accurate description of the services that she received. I also keep both an electronic and paper file of written testimonials as well as client satisfaction surveys that I send out randomly to future clients.

I want to provide a wonderful and memorable service and the best possible experience for my brides. Do your homework and you can't go wrong.

Wedding Gratuity Guidelines

 

 

 I am often asked what are the guidelines for tipping wedding staff and service providers. Here are some practical guidelines.

The following are guidelines to tipping those who helped make your special day an extraordinary affair…

Caterer/Banquet Manager

15% to 20% (usually included in contract, however, if the caterer or manager has done an exceptional job, an additional $1.00 – $2.00 per guest is suggested.)

Waitstaff

15% to 20% (usually included in contract, however, if it is not included, the tip should be given to the maitre d’ or head waiter along with an additional 1% – 2%.)

Bartenders

15% to 20% (if the bartender is not accepting tips from guests, an additional 10% is suggested, but not required.)

Limousine Drivers

15% to 20%

DJ’s

15% – 20% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Bands

$25.00 per band member (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Photographer and Videographers

15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Florists

15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Bakers

15% (gratuity is not usually required, however, if you feel he/she has done an exceptional job or has provided extra or special services, a tip is a wonderful gesture.)

Restroom and Coat Check Personnel

$0.50 – $1.00 per guest (if not accepting gratuity from guests, the host would be responsible for tipping personnel at the end of the event.)

Parking Attendants

$1.00 – $2.00 per car (if not accepting gratuity from guests, the host would be responsible for tipping parking attendants at the end of the event.)

Officiants

$75.00 – $100 .00 (Note: It is appropriate for a clergy member (priest, rabbi, minister, etc.) to accept gratuities or a donation along with their regular fee (if any), however, civil officiants (judges, clerks, etc.) receive a flat fee and are usually not allowed to accept gratuities.)

Ceremony Staff

$35.00 – $75.00 is suggested for organists/musicians. $5.00 – $25.00 is suggested for altar boys, sextons, etc. (gratuity is not usually required, however, if fees for the above are not included in the ceremony site fees, the suggestions above are appropriate.)

Wedding Planners / Coordinators

10% – 20% (gratuity is not usually required, although, for something better than usual to exceptional a 10-20% tip is not unheard