How To Show Your Appreciation: Gift Ideas For Your Bridesmaids

               Your Bridesmaids have all said yes to be a part of your special day.  They have been there by your side every step of the way leading up to your Wedding.  So to return the favor, you want to show them how thankful you are for all of their love, support and guidance they have given you the last few months or so…. But what do you get them?  Are you stumped on what would be the perfect gift?  Well I have listed out a few categories and ideas that I feel your Bridesmaids will absolutely love and even better, they can actually use! 

 

The “Day Of” Gifts

These gifts are for your Bridesmaids to use on the day of your Wedding.  This will not only save them time and money, but it can also help them coordinate with one another. 

·         Matching Nail Polish

·         Jewelry

·         Gift Card to Spa/Hair Dresser that you may be using that day

·         Sewing Kit

·         Fashion Tape

·         Matching Clutches

·         Customized Clothing (Robe, Tank, Sweats) that all say Bridesmaids

·         Mints

·         Advil

·         Makeup/Makeup Bag

Prepare Her for Your Destination Wedding

Are you planning a Destination Wedding?  Well a great idea for a Bridesmaid’s gift is one that would help make traveling a lot easier for them!  Even better… Put it all into a carry-on bag

·         Magazines or Their Favorite Book for the Flight

·         Headset

·         Neck Pillow

·         Tickets to a Show/Sporting Event or a Gift Card to a Restaurant at your Wedding location

·         A List of Restaurants, Things to Do, Places to See

·         A Customized Luggage Tag for their Luggage 

·         Camera

Pamper Her

Every girl appreciates a good pampering.  After all of the stress she has endured during the planning of your wedding, she would really appreciate a relaxing day to her self.  

·         Silk Pajamas/Robe

·         Monogrammed Towels

·         Slippers

·         Gift Certificate to a Local Spa or Boutique

·         Makeup/Makeup Bag

·         Lotions

·         Her Favorite Color Nail Polish

·         Facial Masks

·         Perfume

All of Her Favorite Things

If she is one of your bridesmaids, then I would assume you know her pretty well.  By customizing each gift for your Bridesmaids, it will give it a personal touch that they will truly appreciate.

·       Fitness Lover: Personalized Sweats, Gift Certificate for Personal Training/Class, Yoga Mat, Light Weights, Water Bottle, Hair Bands

·       Loves to Cook: Recipe Book, Personalized Apron, Small Cooking Appliances, Colorful Colander, Cookie Cutters

·       Gardener: Gardening Tools, Small Plant, Gift Certificate to Local Gardening Center, Seeds, Pale

·       Movie Buff: Tickets to a Local Movie Theater, Her Favorite DVD, Popcorn, Candy

Wine & Dine Her

What better way to make your Bridesmaid feel appreciated then to wine & dine her!  Here a few ideas to make her feel special! 

·         Her Favorite Bottle of Bubbly

·         Sample Cheeses

·         Wine Club Membership

·         Gift Certificate to her Favorite Restaurant

·         Wine Bottle Opener

·         Chocolates

·         Gift Certificate to a Winery

·         Customized Wine Glass

After you create your perfect gifts for each of your Bridesmaids, there is one more touch that needs to be added!  I highly recommend writing a personalized letter to each and every one of them, stating how thankful you are to have them in your life and by your side throughout the Wedding process.  This not only shows your appreciation, but it also adds a personal and loving touch! 


BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Guide to Tipping

When it comes to your big day tipping your vendors and reception attendants is probably the last thing on your mind.  It is, however, a service industry standard practice.  Luckily there is a simple way to know how much to tip each person.  Before we get to the nitty-gritty of dollar and cents for tipping those who have helped in your special day, there are a few details to take care of.

First, please understand that a tip is never an obligation, unless it clearly states in your contract that a service charge is necessary.  Even though not all contracts will say that a service charge is expected, most vendors will expect a gratuity from you.  It is up to you as to whether or not you would like to tip them.  Remember that you are not tipping the owners of these businesses, just their employees who are actually doing the service such as delivering décor or a cake.  You can, however, tip the business owner if their service goes above and beyond your expectations.  If you do not want to offer a monetary thank you, simple thank you notes go a very long way as well.

Secondly, make sure that you have assigned someone to take care of handing out all of the tips for you.  This can be a maid of honor, best man, a close family member or friend who is not in the wedding party, or your wedding planner if you have one.  Although it may seem impossible to think of relinquishing control over such amounts of money and entrusting them to someone else, it is not a detail a bride or groom should be worrying about on their big day.  The wedding day should be as stress free as possible and you should be doing no running around to find the appropriate people you need to tip. 

Below you can find a brief breakdown of specific people to tip, how much to tip them, and when the person in charge should hand out the tips.

Wedding Planner

This is one of those case-by-case scenarios.  If your wedding planner was exceptional, then you will likely want to tip them.  Be aware that they do not expect anything from you in the form of a gratuity, but even a simple thank you note with professional pictures are always appreciated  If you do want to provide some form of gratuity, then it can be a nice gift or 15% of the fee they charged.  This tip can be done at the end of the reception by the bride and groom themselves or can be mailed after the honeymoon.

The Beauty Team (Hair and Make-up Artist)

When you are getting your hair and make-up done for any event or even just on a day-to-day basis, a tip is always expected.  Your wedding is no different.  In fact, giving a tip to them on your wedding day is even more important than any other time.  You should be tipping them 15-20% and if they have to take care of extras such a fixing someone’s hair or touching up the make-up, then be sure to throw in a little extra.  These tips should be taken care of at the end of your services. 

Delivery and Set-Up Staff

These tips go to anyone who is delivering anything for your wedding or to your suite for the big day.  They should only be about $5-$10 per person depending on how much they are delivering and how far they have to go to deliver.  You can give these tips to the catering manager or to your wedding planner before the event, so they can hand them out as the deliveries are made.

Those who pronounce you man and wife (The Wedding Officiant)

The wedding officiant is never expected to be tipped.  If he or she belongs to a church, synagogue, or temple, then it is customary to make a donation to that place of worship.  If you are a member, this may impact the amount you decide to donate.  If you are also paying to use their venue for the reception, feel free to tip a smaller amount since they are charging you to rent out the space.  If you are having a nondenominational officiant at a non-religious venue, then they will charge you for their services, so no tip is expected. As a general guideline, expect to make a donation of approximately $500 to the temple, church, or synagogue and you can give an optional tip of $50-$100 to a nondenominational officiant if you are exceptionally pleased with their services.  These tips and donations can be done before the wedding, or if the officiant is at your rehearsal dinner, then the person in charge of tips can pass it to them.

Wedding Shutterbugs and Movie Makers (Photographer/Videographer)

You are never expected to tip the photographer or videographer if they are the owner of the studio, but if they are not, then consider giving each person a tip of $50-$200 per vendor at the end of the reception. 

Wedding Reception Staff

The wedding reception staff will include your on-site coordinator, banquet manager, and head waiter.  These people usually have an approximate 2% service fee built in to the contract, but if they do not, then a tip is necessary.  The tip for each should be 15-20 % of the cost of labor for the food and beverage.  These tips are taken care of before the wedding if they are included in the contract; otherwise you need to wait until the end of the reception, so you have the final bill to figure out percentages.

Wedding Reception Attendants

This includes your bartenders, waiters, parking, bathroom, and coat-room attendants if you have them.  Deciding how much to tip them can usually be found in your contract.  You can always tip extra if you feel as though the service was exceptional.  If these costs are not included in your contract, be sure to call ahead and ask how many of each will be at the wedding, so you can figure out the tips beforehand.  Each bartender and waiter should get $20-$25.  Each bathroom, coatroom, and parking attendant should get between $1-$2 per guest or per car.  It is a good idea to pass out these tips before the actual wedding, so it will hopefully encourage them to provide you with outstanding service.

Reception Band or DJ

This is another situation where it is a case-by-case basis.  It all depends on the quality of the service they do and how closely they followed your suggested playlist.  It should be about $20-$25 per musician or $50-$150 for the DJ.  These tips should be given out by the person in charge or your tips at the end of the reception.

Transportation

This is another situation where gratuity is often stipulated in the contract.  If it is not, then a tip is expected assuming they show up on time and do not get lost on their way.  The tip should be 15-20% percent of the total bill.  These tips can be given at the end of the night or after your last ride in them.  If you provided guest busses using a different company, make sure to put someone in charge of providing them with a tip or have the best man do it.

Never feel obligated to give a tip if the service was not what you expected.  The most important thing to remember about some of these optional tips is that sometimes a thank-you note or a personal gift mean a lot more than cash.  

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),

Olivia

A New Trend That is Quite Old

            By looking back into the past, brides have been able to have a beautiful and unique wedding that everyone will remember.  A Modern Vintage theme has become very popular over the years and we can definitely see why.  By the use of old antique furniture and dishware, neutral colors with a pop of a brighter color, vintage stationary for invitations, and old frames for a table number or menu holder, vintage weddings become very intimate and is something anyone can appreciate.  Here are some ideas we have found to make any Vintage theme wedding intimate, unique and most of all romantic. 

Colors & Fabrics: When you think of a wedding, you probably do not think of using burlap as one of your primary fabrics… think again.  By combining burlap and lace, a wedding will immediately give off a vintage vibe.  The definition of a vintage wedding is the use of lace, lace, and even more lace.  From the gown, to the table settings, to the bridesmaid’s dresses, the use of neutral tones and lace screams classic chic.  Suggested colors for this theme are peaches, nudes, grays, and always incorporate a pop of color to give it a modern twist. 

Decorations: By using timeless pieces, brides can make their wedding day classic yet fresh and modern.  Make a statement by using old antique furniture and dishware as decorations.  This not only increases the feeling of the theme but can also help the budget.  Use old furniture such as doors for backdrops, or dressers and desks as a place card table.  Using older plates and glassware for table settings, definitely gives off a vintage vibe.  Older frames as menu or table number holders can really add an old-rustic look.  Lighting is also very critical to get this look right.  Dramatic lighting and shadows are necessary and can be shown in a vintage way by the use of mason jars with candles, lights hanging and candlelight just about everywhere.  Look around an antique store or even your grandparent’s house and you just might find something inspiring for your big day. 

By simply adding a few select details, your special day will have a retro feel and will create a day that is truly unique.  Also, do not forget to capture your day with stunning photography that includes stills that are in black and white.  Today’s Vintage themed weddings have a very romantic and intimate vibe with a twist of modern to it.  There is nothing more classic than looking into the past and bringing it out in a modern and unique way.  

BBFN,

Olivia

Day Dream: Top 2012 Destination Wedding Locations

 Intimacy, romance, and breathtaking scenery in an exotic place, are all reasons that destination weddings are on the rise when it comes to wedding locations in 2012.  More than ever, brides are not sticking with the conventional way of getting married and choose to fly their immediate family and friends to their dream location for a wedding that no one will forget.  There are many wonderful reasons as to why a destination wedding would be a perfect location, including that it provides you and your guests a wonderful excuse to get away from all the stresses of life and come together for an important moment in a magnificent place.  Whether it is putting your toes in the sand, saying “I do” under an important monument, or celebrating your special day in a vineyard surrounded by enchanting countryside, one of these Top Eight 2012 trending destination wedding locations will be perfect for you. 

Paris, France

The city of romance has been the most popular wedding destination for many years and for many charming reasons.  The way of life in Paris inspires pure romance and peaceful tranquility.  The incredible locations including the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre could be the perfect locations for your wedding ceremony with many different hotels and venues to choose from for your reception.  The combination of the tremendous sites, the impeccable service and the delicious food, all make Paris, France a luxurious wedding location for any bride.

Mexico

Whether it is the upbeat culture or the white sandy beaches, Mexico is a very popular spot for wedding locations in past years and especially in 2012.  There are many resort cities to choose from, including Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.  The warm weather, the bluest oceans, the welcoming and upbeat civilians and the sandy beaches, all make Mexico a dream come true. 

Hawaii

You do not have to travel very far or out of the country to find your perfect destination wedding location.  Hawaii is unique because it is close enough where your friends and family do not mind traveling to and it looks and feels like an island in the tropical Caribbean.  This paradise group of islands is not only beautiful, it is relatively inexpensive and there is a lot for you and your guests to enjoy.  The remarkable culture provides a fun atmosphere that you will appreciate on your wedding day. 

Jamaica

Jamaica has long been a very popular vacation spot and is now becoming one of the best wedding destinations around the world.  From the exquisite Atlantis Hotel, the white sandy beaches, to the beautiful jungles and waterfalls, there are stunning locations to choose from for your big day.  The colorful culture, the fabulous scenery and the extraordinary people will all combine to make your day one to remember.

St. John-Virgin Islands

Would you like your photos to look exactly like a postcard?  The Virgin Island’s clear Caribbean waters, the warm weather, the beaches and the tall palm trees, will all make this dream a reality.  Not only is this location unforgettable, it is within the United States borders so you and your guests will not have to stress about getting your passports.  This location is so beautiful you will not want to leave. 

Turks and Caicos

Within the last few years, Turks and Caicos has really become a popular travel spot, and we can see why.  This incredible chain of islands in the Caribbean gives miles and miles of white sandy beaches and clear blue water that creates a luxurious background to a wedding ceremony and reception.  This island is known for its calm atmosphere and would be a perfect spot for a romantic and relaxed wedding. 

Napa Valley

Why leave the United States when Napa Valley has the most romantic and chic feel for any fall bride.  The beautiful colored leaves, the rustic oak, the sweet smelling vineyards and the breathtaking countryside all combine to make one dream setting.  We would recommend having a rustic, vintage or country theme if you choose to wed here.  The colors of these themes, candlelight and the never-ending view will all combine to create a romantic atmosphere that most have never experienced before.    

Tabernash, Colorado

Wasn’t expecting this location were you?  This past year, Tabernash, Colorado has become one of the top locations for couples who want to be married in a gorgeous mountain and wilderness setting.  Not only is this destination unique for it’s view, but it is also unique because it is one of the top eco-friendly locations in the world.  Tabernash is located one hour west of Denver and includes a relaxing spa and a series of luxurious cabins where you and your guests could stay.  The grand mountains, the sweeping meadows and the rustic atmosphere are a great alternative for a memorable destination wedding.

What could be more romantic than saying “I do” on a beach where the waves are crashing and a beautiful sunset is the background?  Or sitting under candlelight in a miraculous vineyard, sipping wine and having that beautiful never-ending view of Napa Valley?  A destination wedding is a combination of a wedding and a honeymoon and you could share this experience with your close family members and friends.  Before setting your location, be sure to find out about their marriage laws and if they have any wedding packages that could make your wedding less expensive and less stressful.  Besides sharing this beautiful location with your loved ones, another incredible perk to having your wedding at your dream location is that you will not have to worry very much on decorating and transforming your venue, the location is absolutely perfect on its own.  Aloha!

BBFN,
Olivia