Liene said it best...

So I just caught up on my blog reading for the day and found Blue Orchid Design's most recent post to important to pass up. Happy reading !

Behind the Cost of Weddings Revisited

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Two years ago I wrote a post called Behind the Cost of Weddings which explained some of the reasons weddings are expensive and what goes into the pricing of the vendors you hire. You can read that post here.

A recent conversation I had with a bride brought up a common misconception in regards to hiring wedding vendors and I wanted to expand a bit on that here since it wasn't covered in that first post. While we were discussing options for which band the couple was going to hire, the bride remarked that the price split evenly between the band members was a great salary for them to walk away with.

Please know that the price you are paying your wedding vendors is NOT their salary. The fee they are charging doesn't go directly into their pockets - it includes overhead (rent, utilities, business licenses, equipment, postage, etc), taxes, employee salaries and benefits as well as other costs of running a business. So, for example, if your photographer is charging $7000 to document your wedding, that total amount is not going into their personal account. Their full fee is not their full paycheck - not even close.

Rock of Ages

So many beautiful things to see at this weeks Pop Up Wedding Chapel ! One of my favorites so far were the icons of faith votive. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the Pink Patent leather Bible cover which was equally awesome but I did find a picture of the votive. Unfortunately Rock of Ages doesn't have a site up that you can purchase from but it is coming soon ! (I hope) Oh and I love the purple packaging !

Tipping Guide: The Short Version

Who gets a tip?, When do they get a tip?, Who doesn't get a tip ? The list of answers can be long and varied. Here is the short version on who you should and should not tip on the big day.


Yes !

Caterers: Though most venues/caterers include a 18% - 22% service charge thus excluding you from additional tipping, if your guest seem really happy with the service an extra tip for each table is not unheard of.

Bartenders: 10% ( of total bar cost, and should be shared if more than one bartender)

Coat/Bathroom/Valet Attendants: $1 to $2 per guests

Transportation: Only if it is not included on the bill, 15%

DJ/Musicians : 15% for DJ's, $25 to $45 per musician

Hair/Makeup Stylist: Same as you would any other time you have your hair or makeup done, 15% to 20%

Maybe ?

Photographers: They should not expect it, but if your really happy with their service, I suggest sending it after you review your images.

Rental Company: Not mandatory but a nice gesture if you want them to work extra hard to load/unload as quickly as possible.

Seamstress/Fitter: Only if you really feel they have gone above and beyond

Wedding Planners: 10% is customary, but not expected or required.

No !

Florist
Cake Designer/Baker
Officiant

When !

Before or after is fine. Checks or Cash are best. And designate someone to take this task on for you ! If not your planner someone you trust, label all envelopes and provide extra cash just in case you forgot someone.

Pretty Bows

Everyone knows that I love a pretty bow like no ones business, so I was extra excited when I saw Handle & Spout profiled on Brooklyn Chapel. Their selection is small but if your looking for a fun accent for your bridesmaids or a fun accent for yourself check out their selection.

Another fave is of course the ever classic JCrew. For a little twist I used the Belt as a head band ! For Spring and Summer weddings its a definite must !

Pop-Up Brooklyn Wedding Chapel

Coming up this weekend !

The Brooklyn Pop-Up Wedding Series

It's officially starting ! Below is the schedule I copied from the POP-UP site.

So many fun events!

All events will be held at 303 Grand St., Brooklyn, New York 11211

Click Here for more information !

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
WEEK 1

June 4th-7th, 1pm-8pm Daily: Stationery & Bridal Gifts Shop - featuring products & stationery from The Wedding Library plus local & DIY vendors hand-selected by Brooklyn Bride & 303GRAND
Special events for week 1 -
Thursday, June 4th, 4pm-6pm – Press Event
Friday, June 5th, 6pm-8pm – global DIY art project - The Crane Chandelier Project by The Wedding Co.
Saturday, June 6th, 6pm-10pm – Public event with complimentary champagne cocktails
Sunday, June 7th, 1pm-3pm - Stationery event with Ice Cream Social
Sunday, June 7th, 3pm - Calligraphy demonstration
given by Anna Beckman. Anna is a Brooklyn based calligrapher,
illustrator and prop stylist. She was an editor in the craft
department at Martha Stewart Living creating and styling projects
for the Kids and Weddings magazines.

WEEK 2

June 11th-14th, 1pm-8pm Daily: Wedding Photography Exhibit curated by The Wedding Library
Special events for week 2 -
June 11th, 6pm-9pm - Opening Exhibit party with photographers/videographers
June 13th, 6pm-10pm - A night with Brooklyn Bride featuring Flashdance

WEEK 3

June 18th-21st, 1pm-8pm Daily: The Look: A showcase & retail shop featuring bridal & bridesmaid dresses, handmade accessories, lingerie, hair & makeup trials, and free manicures
Special events for week 3 -
June 21st, 1pm-4pm - Free Manicures by Dashing Diva! Hair & Make-up Trials

WEEK 4

June 25th-28th, Weddings Only: The Martha Stewart Weddings Pop-Up Chapel. See 303GRAND transformed into a beautiful wedding chapel where we will marry up to 10 couples from June 25th-28th. On June 25th, one lucky couple will win a free wedding and honeymoon from Sandals valued up to $40,000!

Alex Z Photography

Vendor Spotlight:

Love, Love, Love her portfolio ! I recently ran into Alex Z's work at last weeks Wedding Cafe event and got a hands on look at some of her photojournalistic style albums. Needless to say I had to look at her online portfolio as well and loved what I saw! Check her out HERE

Tastes : from meatpacking district through chelsea

This past weekend was the Tastes event presented by the NYC LAB School at Gansevoort Plaza. The event is a fundraiser for the school and included some of the cities finest restaurants.

The list included:

5 Ninth, Amy's Bread, Barocco Café, Billy's Bakery, Bombay Talkie, Buddakan, Cookshop, The Green Table, Il Bordello, Klee Brasserie, Knickerbocker Bar & Grill, La Bottega, Le Gamin Mobi, Macelleria, Matsuri, Ono in Hotel Gansevoort, Pastis, The Red Cat, Rocking Horse Cafe, Smorgas Chef, Son Cubano, Spice Market, Tia Pol,Trestle on Tenth and Zamp

The sun was shining, the menu was varied and the music was amazing! Some of the dishes I sampled were the Mini Maine Lobster Rolls by Klee Brasserie, The Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Homemade Pickles by The Red Cat ( which were delicious !) and the Tandoori Shrimp with Dates and Papdi Chaat by the Bombay Talkie. But my ultimate favorite was the Ropa Vieja with White Rice and Sweet Plantains by Son Cubano.

Check out some of the snapshots above, even one of me and the little one dancing a little jig :)

Montego Bay Wedding

Recently we went the Grand Palladium Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. During our week stay I think there were about 4 to 5 a day ! Of course because of the recent swine flu scare a lot of these weddings were originally scheduled for Mexico. I would like to personally vouch for the amazing food. The resort has an adjoining resort ( Lady Hamilton ) which gives you a range of 6 plus restaurants and 13 bars. Usually I prefer a close and intimate type of Destination Wedding but this resort had something for everyone.

New Leaf Cafe Wedding

Brooklyn Bride posted a Real wedding yesterday that featured a wedding at the New Leaf Cafe in Hudson Heights. I was so excited to see it because we have a wedding coming up on at the New Leaf Cafe in October and I absolutely love their food. I can't wait !For more information on the New Leaf Cafe visit
http://www.nyrp.org/newleaf/

Picture by Kimberly Hurst

What they are saying about us !

Check out our new review on wedding wire ! HERE

From the first day I sat down with Beverly, she was always professional and organized. My wedding would have been a mess had it not been for the coordination done by Capries. They went beyond what was asked to ensure I was calm and relaxed and that all my planning and events took place. Every detail was taken care of. From calling vendors and insuring their arrival and service, from finishing last minute projects such as my ceremony programs and from fixing my broken bustle during the reception. My family and my guests had such a great time at my wedding. I truly could not have pulled together this wedding without Capries Events.

Tavern on the Green Wedding, Long Day Big Rewards !

Yesterday we had a wedding at Tavern on the Green. And what a wedding!
First we worked with one of the sweetest couples we have worked with
P & S.
They had a wonderful wedding full of loving friends, family,
former classmates and surprise musical performances !

Hopefully I can share some pics soon, they had the awesome Tiffany Atlas from
http://www.atlasweddingphotography.com/