We are happy to welcome our newest member to www.CoastBridal.com Kristin Wilson from Serendioity Designs of Pensacola / Pace Florida. She offers both Invitations and Professional wedding planning services. We recently met with Kristin and she is a wonderful person and professional. Contact her at 850-485-1600
All of the details and expenses of your wedding can be difficult to plan for, but a little advanced planning can go a long way. marthastewardweddings.com informs us about an expense that even the most detailed planners sometime overlook:
Though you may think you've accounted for every imaginable wedding expense, there is one fee that might elude you: the tip. Rewarding vendors with a tip is expected, and it will serve as a thank-you for a job well done. But figuring out whom to tip, how much to pay, and when to offer it can be tricky.
While some vendors include gratuities in their fees, many will leave the amount up to you -- and the level of service they provide can influence what you give them. Tips can add up quickly, costing you a few thousand dollars. Gratuities for caterers alone can be $200 to $600 or more, for example, depending on the number of guests, your catering costs, and where you live. Most tips should be handed out the day of the wedding, so it's wise to assign the job to a friend or family member. A follow-up thank-you note is often a valued tip in itself, as your word can be a recommendation for the vendor.
Do your research beforehand and you won't be caught by surprise when your caterer is wondering where their tip is!
Sarah DiGregorio of brides.com warns her not to leave anything about your reception hall to chance. Make sure you find out all of the little details before you sign the contract. She writes:
Ask About Restrictions
Always inquire about a potential venue’s rules and regulations. Some may require that you use certain vendors. This can be convenient, since you won’t have to find those vendors yourself, but make sure that they are up to your standards. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions: Are there noise regulations for music? How many hours are included in the rental fee, and what are the charges for overtime? Is your wedding the only one booked for that day? What time will your designer be given access to the space in order to set up? If you want to negotiate any of these restrictions, the time to do it is before you sign the contract, not after. Don’t depend on verbal agreements. Get everything in writing.
Examine the Contract
Don’t sign anything on the spot. Take your agreement home and read the fine print. Are there extra costs for insurance, staff, gratuities, cake cutting, corkage, setup, trash removal or elevator or restroom use? You can try to negotiate those hidden costs, go with another location or move forward regardless of the charges—what’s important is that the bill won’t surprise you later. Finally, ask yourself if you feel comfortable. “Never settle,” Gregoli says. “Once a bride has found her site, she should feel relief and joy.”
Make sure you aren't hit with the fine print when you choose your reception location. It's not rude to examine the details. Good and detailed communication before you sign the contract helps your reception provider to better understand your wants and needs.
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