The Painted Tulip

Website: www.paintedtulipvt.com/

my Kate Parker Wedding directory: The Painted Tulip

my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: Vermont 25-50k

The Red Barn

Website: www.outlookweddings.com

my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: Maine 25k, 25-50k

Christopher David Photography

Website: www.christopherdavidphoto.com

my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: New Hampshire 25-50k

Stylish Blooms

Website: www.stylishblooms.com

my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: Connecticut 25k

All of the 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.

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Like any other part of wedding planning, it’s all about figuring out what it is you really want. In my opinion, there are 3 pieces that are non-negotiable must-haves.

THE INVITATION ENSEMBLE
What: They give guests the date, time, place and level of formality of your wedding, and solicit their RSVPs so you know who’s coming.Why: There’s no getting around having wedding invitations. Even if you’re only inviting 12 people, it still merits a printed and personalized notice. PLEASE resist the urge to email your invites; yes, it’ll save trees and it’s easy and it’s cheap/free, but your grandmother won’t get it. Something as special as the invitation and announcement of your wedding day deserves more than an electronic afterthought.

ESCORT CARDS
What: These are set out for guests to pick up as they enter the reception. Each lists a guest’s name and lets them know which table they’re assigned to.Why: Even for a small wedding, it’s a good idea to direct guests instead of letting them choose their own seats. Otherwise, there can be conflict about sitting next to so-and-so, or your grandparents might get stuck in the back while your fiance’s friends land “good” spots.

THANK YOU NOTES
What: I hope this one’s obvious: they’re for thanking guests for attending your wedding and giving you gifts.Why: I am a BIG believer in giving thanks. All à deux stationery packages include coordinating thank-you notes. Seriously, you must send a personal thank-you note for each and every gift you receive, whether they were wedding gifts, shower gifts or engagement gifts. PLEASE DO THIS.
Etiquette suggests sending them no more than two weeks after receiving early wedding gifts and six weeks after getting back from your honeymoon.

After these basics have been squared away you can start thinking about the extras:

SAVE THE DATES
Sent six months to one year before your wedding date, they give guests their first peek at your plans and a chance to mark their calendars. If you’re having a destination wedding, inviting lots of out-of-towners or getting married on a holiday weekend, your guests need the info early. Save-the-dates are fine to send out via email if you need to save money.

PROGRAMS
They let your guests know what’s going on during the ceremony: the order of events, explanations of religious customs, who’s who in the wedding party and any other info you want to give. If your ceremony includes traditions that guests may not be familiar with, your program lets you explain them so guests can be part of the ceremony instead of just being confused.

PLACECARDS
They mark guests’ seats at the individual tables. If escort cards are already directing guests to tables, place cards aren’t necessary. Couples, friends and families will pick seats near each other. If you’re hoping to have your friends mingle, assigning seating with place cards can get them talking. If you’re having long banquet tables, assigning specific spots will keep groups together.

MENUS
You may want your guests to be able to think about their options, if you’re giving them any. A menu card is also an opportunity to give guests special information about the food, like if certain eatables are locally grown, organic, vegan or Kosher. If you don’t want the added cost of all those cards, consider doing one larger menu card per table or combining it with your table numbers.

EVERYTHING ELSE
Wedding-related paper products are nearly endless: Engagement announcements, maps, rehearsal dinner invitations, favor tags, seating charts, table numbers … all of these are options you can choose if your budget allows. To keep a consistent look and theme with the primary wedding invitation, I recommend ordering the extras at the same time as the rest of the stationery.

Thanks to a deux bespoke bridal paper for the great expert advice!

Connecticut, NYC, and Rhode Island wedding paper products, a deux bespoke bridal paper is a memeber of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

“Bailey and Max held their intimate wedding ceremony for 20 closest friends and family in the backyard of their triple-decker in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They had their yard relandscaped for the wedding, with a perimeter of pebbles and simple shrubs, and a bamboo fence. The fathers of the bride and groom took care of stringing the lights. Family members made a square for the huppa which were then pieced together in a quilt sewn by a good friend. After the ceremony, caterers on site swooped in to set up a simple but elegant tablescape of flowers, lanterns, and mint-colored goblets. Jazz music via an iPod played softly throughout the evening.”

Massachusetts wedding photographer, Fat Orange Cat Studio is a memeber of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.

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images by:

melissa koren photography | birch blaze photography | candace jeffery photography | dove photography | claris photography | kristin spencer photography | merci new york and sofia negron photography

All of the wedding 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.

Tulaloo Stationery Studio 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.

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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.

Tony from Datura: Jenny and Tom were married at Jenny’s parent’s house in Connecticut – a stunning home that sits nestled in the trees atop a hill. For the ceremony, they chose a spot right in front of the pasture, hoping that the horses would come and be a part of the festivities. We decorated our custom iron arch with tons of southern smilax vine, then accented with purple kale and amaranthus for a natural, earthy look. The aisle was lined, from the house to the rows of benches, with our iron lantern stands. One crook of each stand held a floating candle, the other a simple design of kale, rosehips and amaranthus accented with cranberries.

Check out the full featured wedding for more!

images by Matthew J. Wagner Photography

Datura – A Modern Garden 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.

invitations above by:  Griffin-vites Stationery | Mew Paper Arts | Parrott Design Studio | Prologue Press | Lasso’d Moon Designs | Hullabaloo Studios

Wedding 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.

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.

You must check out this photography giveaway offering from Massachusetts wedding photographer, Decisive Moments Photojournalists!

What’s it about?
If DMPJ signs 10 new couples for weddings taking place November 2010 through March 2011, one lucky couple will be selected to receive their wedding photography for FREE!  And for everyone who contracts with DMPJ will get a crazy winter rate – yes, you’re hearing this correctly!  If DMPJ does not reach the goal of ten contracts, all couples will still get the discounted rate so no worries!  Be sure to check out DMPJ’s work: www.dmpj.com

So if you or someone you know wants to be part of this winter special, contact us and put “winter special” in the subject line: info@dmpj.com

We can’t wait to hear from you and your vision for your wedding day!

Please note: Friends, employees, and anyone connected with DMPJ are not eligible to participate in this contest. The free wedding is for the photography package only. Travel and other expenses will be the responsibility of the winning couple.
This will be discussed with you in detail.