Merci of New York | Wedding Planner
myKPW Directory
www.mercinewyork.com
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The Wedding Embassy | Bridal and Tuxedo Boutique
www.theweddingembassy.com
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Barrie Fisher Photographers
myKPW Directory
www.bfisherphoto.com
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Jennifer Mardus Photography
www.jennifermardus.com
All vendors above are members of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
Lucia Paul Design: “Am I supposed to tip my DJ?” This is a question that we receive time after time, along with the photographer, musicians and the rest of the service providers that are making your event special.
Now we understand that by the time the end of the event rolls around, money is getting tighter and the desire to spread the wealth has pretty much disappeared. However, we always try to make our brides and corporate clients understand that a tip to those of us in the service business is like a performance based bonus in their job. We don’t count on it but it is always greatly appreciated.
Because we know that we do this for a living but most of you don’t, we wanted to give a few tips on who and how to tip the people who have made your event awesome. Please remember that these numbers are simply a guideline.
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 expected, however, remember that this is a person that can truly make or break your event.)
Bands
$25.00 per band member (gratuity is not usually expected, however, remember that this is a person that can truly make or break your event.)
Photographer and Videographers
15%-20%
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 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 of.)
We hope this helps!
Lucia Paul Designs is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
Alden Blair Events has joined the my Kate Parker Wedding family! Massachusetts wedding planner, Alden Blair Events, is located in the Boston area and caters to couples in New England. Their wedding planning company has a variety of services from complete planning to taking on smaller wedding projects. Check out more information on Alden Blair Events below!
Number of years in business:
My background in events stems from working for the Department of Defense, planning official, international visits between the United States and the Middle East. After years of traveling to places that most people only read about in the news (Turkey, Jordan, Sri Lanka, and the UAE to name a few) I needed to exercise my creative side — thus my venture into wedding planning. It’s been five years of planning beautiful weddings and it’s hard to imagine doing anything else.
Pricing Information:
Day-of coordination is the beginning of our services, and is priced around $1,000. Starting a month before the wedding, we meet with our couples to discuss every detail of the big day, down to the last detail of decor set up. From there we plan out the timeline and coordinate with vendors, ensuring that everything is in its place when the time comes.
We also offer partial, complete, and custom planning packages to help couples where they need it the most. Our most popular package is partial coordination which offers clients the guidance and resources necessary for them to efficiently find the vendors that meet their style and budget needs.
Complete service descriptions and pricing is available on our website (www.aldenblairevents.com/services) and as always, we offer complimentary consultations, allowing couples to meet our coordinators and us to learn more about the wedding.
What makes you stand out?
The perspective that wedding planning can be more (or less) than complete coordination. Couples who plan their wedding deserve a skilled, professional team to handle the day-of production — whether their budget is $100k or $40k. All of our clients, regardless of budget, receive the same attention and quality of service at a competitive, affordable rate.
What’s the favorite part of your work?
When couples, beaming with happiness, linger behind their guests at the end of the reception. It’s really the first time they have to absorb everything that has just happened, and even if they are sad to see the party end, they are excited about the life that is to come. It is such an exciting but exhausting time! As the wedding coordinator, my role allows them to enjoy every moment of the day, from getting ready through to the dance party, so the couple’s radiant smiles are the ultimate signs of a flawless event.
If you have any spare time, how do you spend it?
I sincerely enjoy sharing dinner and drinks with friends, so I take every opportunity to try a new restaurant. Boston is teeming with wonderful places so the decision boils down to “old favorite” or “latest hotspot” — either way there is good wine and great conversation. Between meals it is off to the gym or running down the Charles River in preparation for my next half marathon. And every so often, with a wedding-free weekend, I am on the next plane (the “travel bug” bit me years ago and there are still so many wonderful places to see!).
Which charity(s) are you donating to and why?
The Pink Initiative hopes to bring an end to breast cancer through the collective efforts of the wedding industry and private donors alike. Sharing in the effort, and other breast cancer causes, is a small way to contribute to the health and well being of generations of brides to come.
Alden Blair Events
Website: www.aldenblairevents.com
my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: MA 25-50k
Alden Blair Events is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
Florida wedding videographer, Artistic Film Productions, is giving away a FREE Love Story Video!
how to enter
1. Send them an email with your name and information along with a photo of you and your honey.
2. Tell all of your friends and family to “Like” our fan page and cast their vote for you on your photo.
3. The couple with the most votes WINS!
rules and restrictions
Artistic Film Productions is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
One of the many questions that we get as a planner from our clients is … “Do I need wedding insurance?” Well, today is your lucky day because we have insight from the expert! Steve Lauro of WedSafe has answered some of the most important questions regarding wedding insurance. It’s crucial that couples understand what wedding insurance is all about, so they are informed of what is being covered, what the fees are all about, and most importantly so they know they can feel at ease if there happen to be any mishaps the day of! Wedding insurance is becoming a very important part of planning, whether it be an umbrella policy or coverage through WedSafe. So enough introduction … dive in and get some answers! And be sure to check back soon for the second part of WedSafe’s expert advice.
Image by Brian Adams PhotoGraphics
How does a couple know if they need to get insurance?
The protection that Wedding Cancellation Insurance affords applies to all types of weddings, local, destination, large scale, intimate, indoors or outdoors. Brides, grooms and their families are making a significant investment and while we always hope that our day will go off without a hitch, perils still remain regardless. Wedding insurance can protect against financial loss associated with covered losses.
Is there a certain budget/price point for weddings that you recommend getting insured?
The average wedding across the USA is less than $50k, and for those brides and grooms who are investing that amount of money into their special day, wouldn’t they want to protect it just as much as the brides and grooms who are spending much more? When you choose not to insure something, you are essentially assuming that risk on your own. Would you go without insurance on a $40,000 car?
Image by Kristin Spencer Photography
How is the insurance charged and how does it work?
Generally speaking, wedding cancellation insurance is based on the total wedding budget. There are different levels of coverage for every size budget, starting with premiums slightly over $100. You should choose a coverage level based on your total wedding budget – how much you will spend on your venue, your gown, wedding rings, caterers, flowers;, photographers, and all the other deposits and purchases you will make for your wedding. This is the investment you would stand to lose in a worst-case scenario.
Describe the types of insurance and coverage.
The term wedding insurance typically refers to two very different kinds of coverage:
1. Wedding Event Cancellation and Postponement – protects your financial investment in your wedding; covers cancellation / postponement, lost deposits, and more
2. Liability Insurance – protects you against financial liability arising from your wedding; required by many venues
How many days prior to the event do I need to get insurance?
For event cancellation insurance it is best to protect yourself as soon as you begin placing deposits with vendors. Whenever you write a check, ask yourself what would
happen if that vendor could not fulfill its obligations. Even the most reputable wedding vendors can find themselves with financial or other types of problems. And while credit cards do offer some level of protection to the consumer, a wedding insurance policy can provide so many benefits at such a relatively low cost, it makes all the sense in the world to consider protecting yourself.
Image by Diana Daley Photographers
A big thanks to Steve of WedSafe for filling us in with all of this helpful information! Check back soon for the second installment of Steve’s expert insight on wedding insurance.
New England, Florida, and Baltimore wedding insurance company, WedSafe is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
Florida photographer, Concept Photography, captured the images below of this super chic bohemian wedding. The colors are absolutely incredible! Rich reds, teals, and purples…so old and so fun. The bride wanted fresh, clean white bouquets for the ceremony and then lots of fun colorful texture throughout the reception which was wonderfully created by Thallo Floral Design. Peacock feathers were incorporated into the table arrangements for added drama — love it! For more photos from this wedding, check out the full featured wedding!
Florida photographer, Concept Photography is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
Blue seems to be a favorite color of everyone at some point or another.. And what a bold color to add to your wedding, playing off the sky, water, and added decor in-between. I love the cute couple below using a frame as a fabulous prop during their engagement session, always a fan of creativity! Blue offers so many shades to complete a gorgeous color palette, I don’t think anyone could go wrong! For more inspiration, check out the galleries on my Kate Parker Wedding.
Images above by: Seshu Photography | Griffin-Vites Stationary (photo by Geneve Hoffman) | Orchard Cove Photography | Julia MacInnis Photography | Diana Daley Photography | Rodeo & Co Photography | Eventually By Molly | Kristin Spencer Photography | Merci New York (photo by Christopher Duggan Photography)
All vendors above are members of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
The images below fit the style of rustic weddings to an absolute tee! So much greenery is used to create a real, natural setting. The birch tree candles and moss add so much detail giving off the earthy vibe. With neutral accents and earth tones to make up the color palette, there’s no going wrong with nature. I don’t think that cotton boutonniere could be more unique! For more wedding inspiration, head to the galleries on myKPW!
Images above by: Merci New York | Parrott Design Studio | Amanda McMahon Photography| Just For You Floral Design Studio | Sperry Tents Seacoast (photo by Josephine Photography) | Carla Ten Eyck Photography | Parrott Design Studio | DianaDaley Photography | Griffin-vites Stationery (photo by Brea McDonald and design collaboration with Maine Seasons Events) | SD Events
All vendors above are members of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.
Meet Kate Parker