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were important to you. Stick to the plan. After you have everything in place and know that you have additional money in your budget, then add away!

      

Setting your limits, and sticking to them, will help avoid the dreaded scramble for more money. You have only what is in your budget. It isn’t magic money, so stay within what you have, and your planning process will be much more enjoyable.

      Buyer beware: Service fees

      There is a very important fee you should be aware of. Often, this fee goes unnoticed until the final bill. When you’re aware of it, the vendor may have whispered it or maybe said it in the middle of a cough. It’s what I call the “Service ++ Fee.” Often, you won’t know what the “++” is. Is it 5% or 50%? Because we don’t know, it’s very important to talk with your vendors about it. Each state has different rules and regulations on food and alcohol tax. It’s important to find out what yours is in the location where you’re hosting your wedding.

      

These fees will sneak up so fast you won’t know what hit you. I once had a client who received an initial quote from her caterer with a teeny, tiny line at the very bottom that said, “Service Fees,” but that line was empty. Later, when she submitted her final guest count and received her final invoice, the bill went from $25,000 to almost $40,000. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I call a big difference!

      I also had a client who had a friend read a scripture at their wedding. The friend saw a podium sitting over in the corner of the room and pulled the podium over so that she could place her reading in front of her. Well, after the wedding, the client got a final bill with a $250 service fee. When she inquired about this mysterious charge, the ceremony location said it was for the use of the podium. You know, the one that her friend moved over by herself? Now the client had to pay for a podium she didn’t even want.

      

Service fees are the “catchalls.” Often vendors don’t know how to categorize something, so they call it a service fee. Be aware of these fees so that you don’t get caught off guard and again wind up searching for magic money to appear. When you meet with your vendors, make sure to discuss these mystery fees. Request an invoice, not an estimate. An estimate is always changing, but an invoice is locked in.

      Tips and gratuities

      Tips and gratuities are often forgotten when determining your budget. If you want to tip your amazing team of vendors, don’t forget to include them in your total budget. In this section, we’ll discuss whom to tip, what to tip, and how to deliver your tips.

      Tips are never expected but always appreciated. Most of the people who receive tips on your wedding day are being paid by the hour and tips help offset the costs that occurred for them to be at your wedding. If you feel like a vendor has done an amazing job for you, then give them a tip. If you feel like they have not measured up to your expectations, don’t tip them.

Table 3-6 is a cheat sheet to help you figure out how much to tip each vendor. This is only a guide. Anyone you tip will appreciate the additional cash in their pockets, no matter how much you tip.

TABLE 3-6 Vendor Tip Percentages

Item	Percentage of Budget
Wedding planner	10–15% or a nice gift
Caterer	Check to make sure there isn’t already a service fee built in; if not, 20% of the staff fee
Photo & video	$100+ per person
DJ	$50–$100 per person
Band	$25+ per band member
Bartender	Check to make sure the tip isn’t already included in the bill; if not, 20% of staff fee
Officiant	$100–$300
Ceremony musicians	$25+ per musician
Hair & makeup	$15–20% of service
Transportation	$20 of bill
Deliverers (for example, baker, florist, rental company)	$25+ per person

      

Delivering your tips to the appropriate person is a great task for your parents, best man, maid/matron of honor, or wedding planner if you hire one. This is something that you need to prepare before the day of the wedding. Determine your tips per vendor and get out those envelopes. On the envelope, write the name of vendor receiving the tip. Then include the cash and seal the envelope. (Your tips should be cash only.) Make sure to tell the person you’ve asked to distribute the tips to check in with you first to see if you’re happy with the service prior to giving the tips to the vendors. The last thing you want is to distribute the tips and not be happy with the service and have to try and get that cash back.

      

Tipping your vendors is a wonderful way to thank them for all their hard work and being a part of your wedding day. You may not believe me when I say this, but there’s a chance you’ll remember your vendors more than you’ll remember some of the guests who attend your wedding. Show them how much you appreciate them. Happy tipping!

Part 2

      Taking Care of Logistics

IN THIS PART …

       Finding the perfect vendors and understanding contracts

       Determining if all-inclusive wedding planning is right for you

       Picking the perfect venue

       Getting the word out to family and friends, including figuring out who to invite

       Adding special touches with flowers for the bridal party, ceremony and reception

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