Who Pays for What, Part Deux

So yesterday, we talked about what the bride pays for - what about her groom?  The engagement ring is the obvious first answer, but what else should he start saving for (and how many month's salary will it cost)?

• Accommodations for the groom's attendants (optional)
• Bride's engagement ring AND wedding ring(s)
• Bride's bouquet, corsages for mothers and other honored family members and boutonnieres for fathers and men (other than the groom) in the wedding party (remember from yesterday - the bride buys the groom's boutonniere - but seriously, who is going to split up the flower bill?)
• Gift to the bride (optional.....?  Personally, I don't think this is up for debate)
• Gifts to the groom's attendants
• Honeymoon, including transportation to the airport
  Liquor
• Marriage license
• Officiant's fee and/or gratuity
• Rehearsal dinner (all costs - yes, ALL costs)
• Transportation for the groom and best man to the ceremony (guess the other guys are on their own!)
• Transportation or lodging expenses for the officiant (if invited by groom's family)
• Transportation and lodging for the groom's parents

There you have it - the traditional way to split the wedding bill.

Who Pays for What....?

Curious as to the most traditional way to divvy up the costs of your wedding?  Here is what the Bride's side is usually responsible for....

• Accommodations for the bride's attendants (although, this is optional - but if you're feeling generous....)
• Gifts to the bride's attendants
• Gift to the groom (again, optional)
• Bride's gown and accessories
• Bridesmaids' luncheon (this is usually 2-3 days before the wedding)
• Church/ceremony costs
• Flowers for the ceremoney and reception - this includes the bridesmaid's bouquets and boutonnieres for the groom
• Groom's ring
• Invitations and all things paper
• Music at the ceremony and reception
• Photography AND videography
• Reception expenses
• Rentals for the ceremony or reception
• Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception
• Transportation or lodging expenses for the officiant if invited by the bride's family
• Wedding consultant/planner

Of course, like anything else - these are just guidelines.  Today, many brides and grooms are paying for more of their own wedding expenses.  And it used to be that the parents selected the photographer - but the majority of the time, that decision is being made by the bride and groom.

Tomorrow - look for the other half of this.  What does the groom pay for?

The Wedding Budget - How Much on What?

So, you set your budget....ish.  And now you're trying to decide how much to spend on all the things you need, right?  Venue, flowers, dress, photographer, etc.  Most Brides and Grooms will spend the bulk of their budget on food, drinks and reception or venue site fee.  But...what about the rest?

Here is a rough guideline of where your money will go:

Venue/Reception (site, food, drink):  42%
Wedding Rings:  8% (this doesn't include your engagement ring)
Photography:  8%
Flowers:  6%
Rehearsal Dinner:  6%
Wedding Dress:  5% (this assumes ONE dress, although some Brides have more)
Videography:  5%
Reception Music:  4% (this could be a DJ, band or both)
Groom's Formal wear:  3%
Hair/make-up for Bride (and usually bridal party):  2%
Invitations and announcements:  2% (this might also include your Thank You cards)
Ceremony Music:  2%
Church/Synagogue/Ceremony Location:  2% (assuming it's different from the reception location)
Wedding Cake:  2%
Transportation:  2%
Favors:  1%

The average cost for a wedding is now between $21,000 and $24,000.  For a $21,000 budget, you should plan to spend approximately $1,700 on your photographer.  Gardner Photography & Design has the perfect package for your budget:

• 1 Photographer (Up to 7 hours; each additional hour at $100)
• Up to 3 locations (within 50 mile radius)
• Download high resolution images from private, online gallery, DVD of images with Letter of Release allowing you to make your own prints.
• 12.5” x 10" Custom Hard Cover Coffee Table Book, 10 pages, with custom cover
• $100 credit/coupon towards print photo order (from gallery only)
• Engagement Session (1 hour, 1 location) 

All that for only $1,500 - so, you'll even have $200 left to spend on your honeymoon (or extra bling for yourself...shhhhh....we won't tell the Groom).

Want some helpful tips on cutting your budget?  Check out They'll Never Know:  Eight Hidden Ways to Cut Wedding Costs.

To Tip or Not to Tip....?

Although some vendors will include gratuities in their bills - tipping is usually optional.  Be sure to read contracts and bills carefully!  A tip isn't always appropriate either, especially for professionals who own their own businesses.  Instead, a personal note or gift is always appreciated.  AND there's nothing better than referrals and good word-of-mouth.

However, if you are thinking of tipping, here are some guidelines to help you:

Bartenders:  10% of total liquor bill (this is split among them)
Bathroom Attendants:  $1-2/per guest
Catering Manager:  $200+ OR a personal gift
Chef:  $100+
Coat Check Attendants:  $1-2/per guest
Hairstylist:  15-20%
Hotel Chambermaids:  $2-5/per room; $10-15 if you used a suite to get dressed in
Limo/Bus Drivers:  15%
Maitre d' or Head Waiter:  1-3% of food/beverage fee
Make-up Artist:  15-20% (unless the same person does your hair and make-up)
Musicians:  15% of fee for ceremony music; $25-50/per musician for reception
Photographer/Videographer:  $100 - if you paid a flat fee without over time (otherwise a note or personal gift)
Valet/Parking Attendants:  $1-2/per car
Waiters:  $20+/each (this is usually distributed by the Catering Manager or Maitre d')
Wedding Planner:  15% of fee OR a personal gift

Again, these are JUST guidelines - so, don't feel badly if you don't tip everyone or tip everyone these exact amounts.  You may decide to add/subtract based on the quality of the service, the size of your wedding, the location, the role played by a particular vendor, etc.

Gardner Photography & Design does NOT include any sort of gratuities or extra/hidden fees in our contracts.  Instead of tips, we would love for you to post positive reviews of us and tell everyone you know about your fabulous experience with us!  That's the best tip or gift we could ever receive - there's nothing better than you raving about us and remembering us for all your photographic needs.  (Pssst.....we reward you if your referrals book, too....)

Happy Valentine's Day - But a Good Day for a Wedding?

When picking your wedding date, you should think about what also might be happening on that date - religious holidays, regional holidays, sporting events...even conventions!  For example, hotel rooms might be hard to find or pricey if you schedule your wedding in Chicago during the National Restaurant Show.  Do an online check for any huge local events or conventions on your proposed date and keep in mind that some holidays are more regional.

Here are some dates you might want to think twice about:

April 1 - April Fool's Day
Chinese New Year
Christmas and the days before/after
December 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Father's Day
Final Four - March Madness (your Groom might not even show!)
4th of July weekend
Friday the 13th (of any month)
Halloween - unless this is your theme!
March 15 - the Ides of March
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day (again, forget Chicago!)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (and possibly the weekend before)
Mother's Day
New Year's Eve and Day
Oscar Night (Academy Awards)
September 11
Super Bowl Sunday
Thanksgiving Weekend
Valentine's Day (although, it's a popular day to get engaged!)
Weekend before or after April 15 (Tax Day)

This doesn't mean you can't pick any of these dates, but just consider the ramifications.

In Cincinnati, you might also want to think about some of our local events - Flying Pig Marathon, Cross Town Shoot Out, Oktoberfest, Reggae Run, etc.

Oh, and if your wedding falls over the weekend of Daylight Savings Time - be sure you send out LOTS of reminders about the time change.

How to Pin on and Wear Boutonniere

I have a wedding on Saturday, and sometimes I get asked about pinning on the boutonnieres.  Honestly, I don't know!  I know they go on the left side, and that's about it.  Usually, the boutonnieres are on the guys before I start taking photos, but it does happen sometimes.  I often carry extra pins, just in case, but I thought it was time I learned a little about pinning on the boutonniere.  A quick Google search resulted in this handy information

1.  With one hand behind holding the stem of the boutonniere, flowers facing away from the wearer and toward you, place the boutonniere at a slight angle on the dress or lapel. This is an average of about 4 inches in from the tip of the left shoulder.

2.  Make sure that the boutonniere is evenly placed on the lapel before attempting to pin it.

3.  Use a Boutonniere Pin to pin into the fabric at the bottom left corner of the stem.

4.  Weave the pin back out from under the fabric. Push it through about 1 inch, laying it at an angle over the top of the boutonniere stem.

5.  Stick the tip of the pin back into the fabric on the other side of the stem. Insure that the stem is tightly in place with the length of the pin pushing it down.

6.  Weave the pin back out of the fabric once more. Be sure that the very tip of the pin does not stick out, nor does it poke under the fabric and touch the skin. 

Helpful Tip: A boutonniere is always worn on the left side of the body. For a clean polished look try weaving the Boutonniere Pin through the underside of the lapel. This keeps the head of the pin from showing, for a smart look. Another alternative to Boutonniere Pins, try using a strong adhesive magnet made especially for corsages and boutonnieres. One part of the magnet sticks to the underside of the boutonniere, while the other side is slid under the lapel, attracting itself to the magnet and clamping the boutonniere in place.

Hope this information helps others who are trying to figure out how and where to pin the boutonniere!