Summer Do’s and Dont’s
Do provide heat relief. No matter how much you love the sun, your guests will probably want a few ways to escape the heat. Make sure an outdoor venue offers some shade or air-conditioning (tent rentals can include portable air-conditioning systems). Instead of having guests sweat it out through the ceremony, just before it starts, have an usher pass out small ice-cold hand towels across the rows. Scatter decorative tubs or baskets filled with bottles of water near the ceremony site — and once the dancing begins, place water in close proximity to the action. And don’t forget your vendors: Set up an area where they can grab cold beverages as well.
Posted by: editor May 18, 2012
Orlando and Lake County Bridal Directory and Coupon Book
The Your Wedding TV Bridal Show was a HUGE success today! I blew through 9.5 cases of bridal directories! Great news for all that advertise! Also, the brides response to the bridal directory becoming Central Florida’s ONLY Wedding Coupon Publication received rave reviews! Brides were absolutely thrilled and loved the idea! Responses like “NO WAY”, “That’s AWESOME”, “Shut up, your kidding me WOW!” I even received a high five from a bride!
Posted by: editor January 16, 2012
Winter Weddings: 10 New Winter Wedding Ideas
Wedding Colors
Reds and greens certainly reflect the season, but overdo this color combo, and your wedding may seem more holiday-oriented than you intended.
What’s Hot Now: Consider a less-is-more approach to your color palette: Silver and white with crystal accents can add some serious glamour to your winter wedding. For your ceremony, try a white velvet aisle runner trimmed with white satin ribbon, or decorate the altar with a crystal curtain backdrop adorned with hanging strands of elegant white phalaenopsis orchids. If you’re exchanging vows outdoors, get your guests in on creating the ambience by giving out clear umbrellas to friends and family members as they arrive.
Posted by: editor January 7, 2012
Who do you tip? Orlando Florida Weddings
Who do we Tip?
Let’s begin by examining your vendor’s
contract first. Many service agreements have
a section or sentence stating if other fees and
gratuities are included in your final cost. Take
these vendors off of your list of who to tip. While
business owners incorporate their operating,
living and profit expenses in the cost of their
services; it is not necessary to offer a gratuity
if they are personally working your wedding.
A good suggestion to follow is basically, tip
only employees. Should a business owner
provide an exceptional service or solution to an
unexpected situation arising during your day,
there is no law prohibiting you from tipping
them as a gesture of your appreciation. Always
remember, a thank you note with a picture with
their product provides great bragging rights for
their portfolio display.
I would like to add, should a service provider
go above and beyond, other forms of expressing
your gratitude can be made that will be equally
appreciated. I’ll address these examples later in
this article.
As I have mentioned, some vendors include
gratuities in their fees, others will leave that
amount to you. The level of service they provide
can influence what you give them. Here is a
modest breakdown of the vendors to consider
who are participating in your special day:
Transportation: Limousine service,
Carriage driver etc.
Ceremony: Hair/makeup pros, Musicians,
Soloist, Officiate
Reception: Wedding planners,
Photographers, videographers, Catering
manager, Wait staff, Bartenders, Band, DJ,
Valets, Restroom/coat-check attendants
Setup/Breakdown: Delivery people, florist,
baker, rental suppliers, and other vendors.
Honeymoon: Bellhop, Doorperson,
Housekeeper, Concierge
The Tipping Chart
Gratuities and tips should be made in cash
and delivered in a plain white business envelope
with the recipient’s name handwritten on
the front. The amounts vary by region but,
the Northeast seems to be the one part of the
country with a consistency in posting tipping
rates appropriate for the costs of their wedding
services. Remember to consult your service
prices and agreements before offering a gratuity
to avoid overspending. I’ve chosen to include a
scale of rates taken from leading charts found
in my research. Any similarity to one particular
chart is purely coincidental.
Event Planner: 10 to 20 percent of your bill,
depending on the terms of contract
Officiates: $50 to $100 on top of any set fees
Ceremony Site Staff: $20 to $30 per person,
depending on amount of service
Organists and Ceremony Musicians: $20 to
$40, depending on length of service
Reception Site Manager: 15 to 20 percent of
entire bill for the reception
Valets: $1-$2 per car
Waiters: $20 to $40 each, depending upon
quality of service. If you saw that there were
only a few waiters who worked their tails off,
give them more.
Bartenders: 15 percent of liquor bill
Coat check: $1 per coat
Limousine Drivers: 15 to 20 percent of
transportation bill (Check to see if tip is
already included in the contract first! If so,
then on-the-day tip may be smaller as a token
for great service, or left out altogether)
Photographer and Videographer: $30-$100
or more
Delivery Workers: $10 each if just dropping
items off, $20 each if dropping off and
setting up to great extent; even more if they’re
transporting a LOT of items
Tent assemblers and Rental Agency Assemblers:
$20 each, even more if the tent is extremely
large or complicated, or parquet flooring is
set down as well
Entertainers: $25 to $30 each, more if
they really exceeded expectations. Again,
check your contract to see if
gratuity is already included.
Beauticians and Barbers, Manicurists and
Makeup Artists: 15 to 20 percent of beauty
salon bill – don’t forget the shampoo person!
Cleanup crew: $20 each
Baby-Sitters: $30 to $40 each, plus a gift, in
addition to their hourly wages; more if
baby-sitter is putting in extra hours or caring
for several children
With so many elements in motion during your
wedding day, allow me to teach you a little trick
ensuring you enjoy the most of your special day
… delegate responsibilities!
For your wedding day tipping responsibilities,
assign a gratuity ambassador. This person will be
in charge of passing out tips to services rendered
and at the end of the event. Choose someone
you feel is responsible like a wedding planner, a
father, mother, best man or maid of honor. A
plain business envelope filled with cash is fine,
but adding a “Thanks for everything!” will earn
you extra points. You would be surprised how
much it means to a vendor to receive a heartfelt
thank-you note or email after the wedding.
Tips represent an expression and gesture of
appreciation. Does this sound familiar? If a
service provider makes a difference in your day,
reward extraordinary effort.
What if your budget prohibits you from
affording a tip?
During these difficult economic times, couples
from coast to coast are cutting back on their
wedding expenses. If a simple wedding and
modest Staycation honeymoon is all you can
really afford, consider these suggestion as a way
of showing your appreciation for outstanding
services when funding is tight.
This is the era of individual mass
communication. Send your message of delight
with your wedding services providers in a message
released on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn,
Twitter, Digg, and the endless social networking
services available online. All it takes is one “Like”
on Facebook for everyone you have befriended to
get the word on the great experience you had with
a vendor. Referrals, referrals, did I mention
referrals? A referral contract makes everyone’s
day! One good word goes a long way in the
wedding industry. Even if you don’t know anyone
getting married in the near future, most wedding
vendors provide services to corporate and other
social events. What a great surprise to your
vendor if they were hired to work a holiday party
due to the referral from your wedding. One of
my favorite non-monetary tips is a big basket of
home-made cookies. Home-made inexpensive
chocolate chip, oatmeal or the family’s secret
cookie recipe for a holiday favorite, you can’t
go wrong. And cookies are guaranteed to bring
smiles to the faces of everyone in the room. For
the officiate, or business owner that went above
and beyond, you may consider sending something
personal, like as a restaurant gift certificate, or
tickets to the theater. Flower arrangements or
plants are very nice and widely appreciated as
well. Remember, a simple handwritten thank you
note is always greatly appreciated by everyone.
Nothing can ever make you wedding day more
memorable than the moment you stand holding
hands with your best friend promising to love
and care for them the rest of your life. However,
when special moments arise due to the efforts of
your vendors, don’t forget to let them know it.
Posted by: editor November 3, 2011
Orlando Weddings: Budgets: Getting Married In Orlando and Central Florida
In this ever changing economy, everyone is looking to cut costs, even brides!! Some of the places that we see brides cutting corners on to save money are dj’s, flowers, photographers, videographers and wedding planners.
Popular magazines tell brides that they can use an Ipod as their wedding and reception music, buy flowers through the mail and make their own centerpieces, have friends take video and place cameras on the table for the guests to take pictures at the wedding. This should save the bride thousands.
What the popular magazines do not tell the bride is that not all equipment at all facilities is compatible with your IPod. What happens if the person you have in charge is not able to push the buttons at the right timing, or presses the wrong song? What happens if the crowd is just not happy with selection of music and they start to get bored? Ordering fresh flowers through the mail sounds like a neat idea to be creative and make your own centerpieces, by the time you finish buying these flowers that are wholesale and have to make yourself, it will have cost more in work time and purchasing things to obtain that wow factor that you may be looking for. Fresh floral have to be kept in water until they are ready to be entered in to the centerpiece that has water as well so that they do not wilt prior to the wedding. Who will do that for you minutes before the wedding? As for the photographer and videographer, what I can say is pictures tell a story, video captures the memory, if the person taking the pictures or video is not professional and does not know when to expect something important, they may miss it.
When thinking if you should hire a wedding planner consider asking yourself: Do I have unlimited time to plan my wedding day? Will I be able to negotiate contracts with vendors and drive all over town to meet these vendors? Can I deal with the last minute things on the day of and prior to the wedding?
Happy Planning!!
Rosie Moore
27 Miracles Wedding Consulting
www.27miraclesbyrosie.com
Posted by: editor October 17, 2011
Orlando Florida Bridal Publications, Orlando Bridal Magazines, Orlando Wedding locations and Lake County Florida Tourism
Issue 7 and all future Issues will now be available to view on the web, be sent in emails and viewed over your phone. That program was just obtained last night so that is fresh news hot off the press!
Posted by: editor July 27, 2011
Lake County Florida Weddings, Caldwell Photographic, Clermont florist, Smooth Entertainment, Visual Effects by Seth
Great vendors in Lake County Florida!
Posted by: editor July 13, 2011
Orlando Florida Weddings Gives Orlando and Lake County Bridal Directory Another Thumbs up!
ARTC Events recommends us! “I have worked with Phil over the last 9 years and he always gone above and beyond what you would expect to give a helping hand. With Phil you can count on his constant professionalism, respectful nature and most importantly his business savvy mixed with just enough creativity. This is why I would highly recommend doing business with Orlando Wedding Professionals / The Orlando Bridal Directory!” Service Category: Advertising Year first hired: 2002 (hired more than once) Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, High Integrity
Posted by: editor June 27, 2011
Your Wedding TV Orlando Florida Weddings, Orlando Photographer, Orlando DJ, Orlando Wedding Locations
Orlando:
A Your Wedding TV Ultimate Bridal Show – Orlando
Sunday, July 10, 2011
1:00 – 5:00 pm
Price: $7.50 online or $10.00 cash at the door
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
1 Grand Cypress Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32836
321-277-4274
Link to: http://www.yourweddingtv.com/index.pl?market=1
Orlando’s most popular, comprehensive and entertaining bridal show! *Over 100 of Central Florida’s best wedding professionals, 100 prizes and 15 Grand Prizes including an All-Inclusive 5 Day/4 Night Honeymoon to The Jewel, Ocho Rios with Airfare provided by All About Travel.
*Get discount tickets now at www.YourWeddingTV.com and you’ll be entered to win special prizes.
Arrive Early! Bridal Boutique Exhibits and Passed Champagne & Hors d’oeuvres starting at 12:00 Noon.
So much to do and see including fun Bride Break-out Sessions with Insider Tips, Trends and Inspirations for your wedding.
*Orlando’s Hottest Runway Fashion Show featuring all the latest wedding dresses from 2 Bridal Salons, tuxes from sponsor Men’s Wearhouse, styles for the entire wedding party and exciting live entertainment!
Exclusive Special Guest Appearance by Recording Artist, Lucas Prata.
*Vendors will be offering exclusive savings and special pricing for your wedding!
*Sample appetizers, entrées, cakes, and desserts. See amazing floral & décor and get design and theme ideas, expert tips and all the latest trends. Win prizes galore!
*Jewelry, accessories and so much more only at this show! *On-site beauty & spa treats, Bride T-shirt giveaways, hair & make-up trials, Photo Booth Photos & Flip-Book Favors.
Get tickets online in advance and you are entered to win Two Orlando Magic Lower Bowl Tickets with Game-Night Limo and $100.00 Cash and other exclusive prizes! First 50 Brides in the door receive a “Because I’m the Bride… That’s Why!” Tee- Shirt and FIRST 100 are entered to win a FREE Wedding Cake! _____________________________________________________________
Orlando:
A Your Wedding TV Ultimate Bridal Show – Orlando
Sunday, October 30, 2011
1:00 – 5:00 pm
Price: $7.50 online or $10.00 cash at the door
Wyndham Orlando Resort
8001 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
321-277-4274
Link to: http://www.yourweddingtv.com/index.pl?market=1
Orlando’s most popular, comprehensive and entertaining bridal show! *Over 100 of Central Florida’s best wedding professionals and 100 prizes including an All-Inclusive Honeymoon with Airfare and Thousands of Dollars in Grand Prizes!
*Get discount tickets now at www.YourWeddingTV.com and you’ll be entered to win special prizes.
*Orlando’s Hottest Runway Fashion Show featuring all the latest wedding dresses from 2 Bridal Salons, tuxes from sponsor Men’s Wearhouse, styles for the entire wedding party and exciting live entertainment!
*Vendors will be offering exclusive savings and special pricing for your wedding!
*Sample appetizers, entrées, cakes, and desserts. See amazing floral & décor and get design and theme ideas, expert tips and all the latest trends. Win prizes galore!
*Jewelry, accessories and so much more only at this show! *On-site beauty & spa treats, Bride T-shirt giveaways, hair & make-up trials, Photo Booth Photos & Flip-Book Favors.
Get tickets online in advance and you are entered to win Two Orlando Magic Lower Bowl Tickets with Game-Night Limo and $100.00 Cash and other exclusive prizes! First 50 Brides in the door receive a “Because I’m the Bride… That’s Why!” Tee- Shirt and FIRST 100 are entered to win a FREE Wedding Cake!
Posted by: editor June 22, 2011
Orlando Weddings, Orlando Wedding Services, Wedding DJ’s and Wedding Photographers
Issue 8 of the Orlando and Lake County Bridal directory will be available next month. If you are interested in participating before the deadline (June 24) please contact the publisher Phil Joeckel at 407.928.9612. Pricing is affordable and the quality is unmatched compared to our competitor.
Publication is distributed throughout Central Florida Hotels, Country Clubs, Bridal Attire Shops, Macy’s, Dillard’s and Bloomingdale’s.
Posted by: editor June 8, 2011
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