Today is wedding planning day. And rather than asking soon-to be-brides questions on wedding websites about some of my concerns, I am turning to you, a mix of recently married, non-married and seasoned married veterans to help me with some budget concerns.
1. I need to hire a bartender with a liquor license. I contacted one man who explains that he can provide a bartender for $25 hr who will pick up the alcohal, take it to the reception, set it up, serve, dismantal and clean up, returning unused bottles to the company. The price for the alcohal is only a dollar or two above store prices. But I must plan to pay for the bartender to spend 2-3 hrs for the running around plus the serving time.
~ I'm thinking the cheaper way to go is for ME to buy alchohal, have my wedding planner set it up, and just pay the bartender to come, serve and leave. Right? Or is buying/setting up myself a huge hassle? The man made it sound like it's standard to request the bartender to pick up/drop off the alcohal.
2. Wedding hairstyles. I have called several salons. The CHEAPEST I can find is $80 an updo (and there is a total of 4 people plus me). Plus the cost of $50 pp makeup. To get by as cheaply as I can, should I forgo the bridal hair trial? I have very long hair, but I want a pretty standard half updo. I dont live in the city, so I have never used their services, they were recommended to me by my photographer.
And why is the BRIDES hair $25 more than the rest of the parties? And why is a bridal party hair updo $30 more than a normal updo?
~ I know you will suggest not telling them it's for a wedding, but really, how do you get away with that? 5 women walk into a salon early in the morning needing formal updos...even if no one mentions the word 'wedding' on the day of the wedding, I still think the salon will flat out ask me why we are getting updos.
~Tipping. I know I have to tip. I guess this is a vent. Why am I tipping for a service I have written into a contract will be provided and I will pay the contracted price?
3. Bridal party gifts. I dont want to give gifts because I am paying for their and their dates hotel rooms @ $200 a night (2 nights). I am considering paying for their hair/makeup too. (I probably will). So how can I graciously explain to them the high costs of this and not have them expect 'something' as a bridal party gift?
I know they would understand and be grateful if they knew the prices of this stuff, but I dont know how to tell them without going into price details and sounding tacky or whiny.
4. Wedding insurance~ worth it or not? Have not looked into it because, well who uses it?
hmmm...thats it for now.
Spending update:
June 21/ $32 spent for overpriced Mexican lunch for Baseball boy and myself
June 22/$40 spent for Baseball boys monthly clubhouse dues.
Wedding prices...need advice!
June 23rd, 2008 at 08:44 pm
June 23rd, 2008 at 09:00 pm 1214254800
I would do your own makeup. Or...does one of your friends just do their makeup well all of the time? Maybe she could do it.
I'd suggest buy your liquor yourself at Sams. However, I'd ask your wedding planner to set it up for you because you're gonna be pulled in several different directions the day of. As far as the tip goes, usually they go ahead and put 20% into the price...or at least mine did.
As for the gift situation, maybe you could give each person a thank you card and just tell everyone at once that you're paying for that stuff. If they're anyway resepctful, they'll understand you've spent a lot and that was a gift in itself.
Good Luck!
June 23rd, 2008 at 09:05 pm 1214255110
June 23rd, 2008 at 09:23 pm 1214256218
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 pm 1214260496
One thing i learned, when retailers or workers hear "Wedding" the money chimes go off. It is better to say: we are having a party or an event and i would like XXX YYY ZZZ to happen. If you can get away from the idea of a wedding and just tell them it is a Party you stand a better shot of getting a better price.
And spring for the updo trial. It should be no charge (or minimal) as long as you agree to work with them the day of the wedding. And take pictures of your hair so you can remind then what you want and don't want when they do the hair.
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 pm 1214260571
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 pm 1214261250
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 pm 1214262175
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:10 pm 1214262615
June 24th, 2008 at 12:14 am 1214266460
As for the makeup... I really don't know. I've thought about this alot myself (as far as what I will do on my day), and I guess it depends on how "easy" you are to make-up. I have fair skin, so it's hard for other people to match foundation to me. I usually come out looking like I've stuck my face in a bowl of peanut butter. But I agree w/ you on the wedding pics, having a professional do your makeup can certainly help.
For the favors, I would go with the card or something similar. I was a bridesmaid for my aunt, and she handed out our favors at a rehearsal dinner. They ended up being a pair of earrings and necklace (probably $20 each person) that we could wear to match in the wedding and then have. And I thought that was nice!
June 24th, 2008 at 12:27 am 1214267279
My sister's wedding on Long Island had my wife pay 2X as much for an updo as she pays here for a normal haircut. Find someone which works out of their house or runs a private small salon and see if they can low ball the other quotes. Avoid chains which set prices for profit reasons.
I think the hotel rooms can be thought of as the gift. For the men in my wedding, I paid for the tuxes for the 3 groomsman and they all said that was better than any gift I could have come up with.
June 24th, 2008 at 05:16 am 1214284566
About the bar, is it cash/open bar? If all the drinks are free, gosh, I can't imagine how to budget for that. I read in an etiquette book, I don't remember maybe it was a personal finance book, that it's actually okay to set up a cash bar. Your guests shouldn't expect you to run up debts just to hold a wedding party.
June 24th, 2008 at 03:04 pm 1214319893
June 24th, 2008 at 03:14 pm 1214320465
For hair, I calledRegis but the woman was not to helpful, and said she cant give me a price without meeting each girl and inspecting her hair for length and thickness and style, so I let that one go.
Makeup, we'll see. And wedding insurance, we'll see.
June 24th, 2008 at 06:38 pm 1214332700
#2. Please make sure you do the prewedding day practice, then take a picture of the desired result. If you dont the morning of your wedding you could only plan for two hours for hair and it take four, or you find out after they have it up, you hate it and want a modified updo.
#3. The wedding hotel is great. The hairdo/makeup/manicure paid for, is kind of a must if you are going to be upset if they want to do it themselves. As for jewelry, are you going to have them wear some? Alot of the weddings I have been in the jewelry was the gift because that is what the bride wanted us to wear.
How does BF feel about all this? Have you talked to him about the groomsman gifts?