Tipping

Almost all of our brides seem to ask the same question when it comes to their wedding day..."who should I tip and how much?" This may seem like a silly question but most people are unaware on the standards of tipping in the wedding industry. Although tipping anyone is a special thank you for a job well done, not all vendors expect one.

Here is a list of the particular people that you should tip on the day of your wedding. Just remember that you are not obligated to tip anyone, but these are the people to tip if you feel generous and extra thankful for their services!

Hairstylist/Makeup artist:
Just like in the salon, these vendors are expecting a tip. Common standards are between 15-20% and should be done after services rendered.

Wedding Officiant:
Most of the time if you are being married in your church or temple, a donation is expected. If this is the case you do not have to fork over any more money than what has already been expected of you when you booked your date. However, if you marry outside of your church or temple where your officiant is asked to travel to your wedding destination, a tip would be expected. Proper tip would be between $50-$100. If you are hiring an officiant that is not affiliated with any institution you do not have to tip as they may have already accounted for one in their fee.

Transportation:
Drivers are expecting a tip, but be aware that it may be included already in your contract. 15%-20% of the bill should be divided up to each driver. (if you are having more than one limo or bus)

Ceremony Musicians:
A tip between $15-$20 per musician is the standard rate. Please note that some musicians may have already included this gratuity in their contract.

Reception staff/ Maitre d':
Most venues will include this gratuity in your contract, but if they do not you should expect to tip 15-20% of your bill. This usually breaks down to about $25 a server/bartender and $75-$150 to the Maitre d'

Band or DJ:
Again, Gratuity may already be included in your contract. These vendors do not expect a tip but if your entertainment kept you and your guests out on the dance floor all night singing and dancing your hearts out then you should consider tipping them. $20-$25 per musician in the band or $50-$150 per DJ

Photographer/Videographer:
You are not expected to tip these vendors, however if you hired a large company and the person working your wedding is not the owner you may tip them if you appreciated their services. Standard is $50-$200 per person.

Florist:
Most florist do not expect a tip but if you are having an extensive setup you may want to tip the delivery/setup person. $5-$20 a person.

Setup Crew:
If you are having a company setup any materials for your wedding (i.e tents, tables and chairs) you should tip these crews between $5-$20 per person.
*Same goes for your lighting and sound companies.

Last But not least your Wedding Planner:
We do not expect a tip from you, however if you would like to show your gratitude we always appreciate your recommendations to other couples!

*These amounts are what we tell our couples. These are here only as guidelines and what we have fpund vendors are looking for*

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The Brides Have Spoken!

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that KC Event Planning has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Wedding Planning!

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

KC Event Planning LLC is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that KC Event Planning LLC is among the very best wedding planners within the WeddingWire Network, which includes Wedding Wire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today HERE.

Shoes Shoes Shoes!

I love shoes! What girl doesn't?

Recently, I was browsing through some bridal shoes and thought I would share some of my favorite finds. Hope you like them too!




Platform sandal with encrusted Swarovski-crystal heel by Stuart Weitzman, $575



















Silk satin sandal with lace-up ribbon and silk flower with feather accent by Mika Inatome Bridal, $395














Glittered Platform Pump by Christian Louboutin, $775














Crystal-Buckle Slide in snakeskin by Manolo Blahnik, $895















"Gracious" by Kate Spade, all satin platform sandal with side bow, $325
















"Destiny" by Paris Hilton peep toe pump with large satin bow, $120
















hmmm........wishing I could own them all!

Kelley and Greg October 30th 2009

Kelley and Greg were married October 30th 2009 at St. Elizabeth's in Avon-by-the-sea. Their reception was held at The Breakers in Spring Lake. Kelley had hired us for day of coordination and for a candy buffet. Her colors were raspberry and Lime/Green apple. We created a candy buffet using those colors and also added in some favorite candy of the bride and groom. The Candy buffet looked so delicious with the candy Kelley had chosen. It must have been hard for her guests to resist!

Some of the candy included: Watermelon fruit slices, Green gummy bears, Jelly Belly's, Taffy, Hershey kisses, M&M's and a few more! Here are a couple of pictures that I took with my camera......

Jen and Jon September 12th 2009

We met Jen back in March at the Ritacco Center Bridal show, she remembered us and after feeling overwhelmed with last minute wedding stress she contacted us just a couple weeks before her big day! We were delighted to help in any way we could to help make Jen's dream wedding a reality.

Jen is one talented and creative individual, she was a total DIY'er and created everything from centerpieces to the invitations, Jon even hand made the card box which was a tiny model of the Cinderella castle in Disney World (the couples honeymoon spot) made to look like a sand castle! Since Jen and Jon had done everything themselves they were in need of our help to execute the day with setup and direction. The wedding took place on the beach of Ship Bottom, LBI where Jon's father a judge preformed the ceremony, the reception followed at the Brant Beach Yacht Club in LBI. The beautiful beach and water setting made for a perfect back drop!

Here is a few of the professional pictures from their big day. Thank you to Mary Lee from Mary Lee Photography for providing us these fabulous images!

Special Note from the happy couple!:

Hi girls!

Jon and I are in Florida and completely exhausted! But, we have never been happier! Thank you so so much for helping to make our day perfect! We couldn't have done it without you. It was truly magical.

You girls are the best! Thanks again!

-Jen and Jon Carr :o)

Jillian and Tony October 3rd 2009

Jillian and Tony were married October 3rd 2009. The wedding went off without a hitch and here is a sneak peak of some of the details we created for them. I cant wait to show the professional shots when they come in!

At the escort card table we draped crystal strands in between the cards. The strands hung off the table with a larger crystal.

The wish jar was our take on the guest book where the guests wrote well wishes and advice on pretty card stock and placed them in the jar!

This is a picture of the table scape before sundown and candles were lit.

That's me decorating the sweet heart table!

We had a custom cigar roller come in and roll cigars for guests!

Since Jillian loves everything that sparkles.....we had to add bling to the cake! The cake was wrapped with rhinestone ribbon.

We set up an extensive candy buffet along with the miniature pink champagne bottles they gave as favors.

The candy buffet was such a huge hit that we could hardly put the candy out with out the guests sneaking some!

Can't wait for the professional photos!

Thank you to all the vendors!

Courissa from Eagle Ridge Golf Club

Carrie and her team from Carrie Kozak Photography

Boulevard cigar shop - (732) 288-2744

Linens from Fabulous Events

Carol from Something Nice Floral Designs

Makeup Artist Michelle Larner