Paying in full may cost you

One of the best things you can do is book a vendor that was recommended from your Coordinator or a family/friend. Positive referrals are fabulous for a vendor, and for a Bride, is one of the best ways to reduce stress.

Recently I've heard from two of my summer Brides (Day of Coordination services) that they're working with vendors (both florists) that are asking or had asked for payment in full. I strongly recommend that you DO NOT pay upfront. I understand that some vendors like florists, invitation specialists and bakers need to purchase items prior to your wedding day to fulfill your purchase, however, I believe that this should be something that they factor into their business model and how they conduct their services.

Most vendors, like myself, require a deposit to secure the services and date. The deposit is usually non-refundable and is likely 50% of the total. If this is the case, you should pay the remaining 50% on the day of your wedding. Remember, you have not bought a gift card that you pay upfront for to use at a later date - you have reserved (via a deposit) services that are to be executed on your wedding day, therefor the vendor should be paid then.

Oftentimes if the total cost of the services is quite large, i.e: over $2,000 there may be a 2nd payment due prior to your wedding (25%). This payment shows your commitment to the contract, and their promise to fulfill. This 2nd payment not only reduces balance yet to be paid, but helps pay for any work, communication and time the vendor has put forth to date.

When you have a Day of Coordinator working with you on our wedding day, it's best to give them the remaining balances to give to the vendors when they show up and or deliver your order. It's always best to pay the florist once the centrepieces are placed and the bouquets are delivered. It's always best to pay the baker once the cake has been delivered and set up on the cake table as stated in the contract. It's always best to pay the DJ once they have arrived, set-up and conducted a sound check. A contract is a legally binding document, but if the services executed or delivered are not the same noted, then you have reason to request a refund or a change in the total price.

Most vendors should not have a problem with being paid the remaining balance upon arrival. If they do, perhaps that should be a sign that you look elsewhere. When meeting with a vendor for the first time, discuss their payment method and timeline. Do they only accept cash or cheque? Can you pay your deposit using credit or debit and then give the remainder in cash? Do they want it all upfront, or in 2 to 3 amounts?

No one wants to pay in full and then not get the services or product they paid for. So, my advice to you is, wait to pay on the day of if you can. If you do pay upfront, get everything in writing, hang on to your email communications and be sure to review the contract in length prior to signing off and handing over funds.

A good vendor will work with and for you - not against you.

For our Day of Coordination services, we are more than happy to provide our clients with a few vendor referrals. Nothing makes us happier than to work with other industry professionals that we know, trust and have faith in.

CopyKate #03: The bouquet

This is the last post in our CopyKate series. If you want to know how to mimic other elements of William & Kate's wedding that we didn't feature, call us for a Consultation meeting.

CopyKate #03: The bouquet

From the Official Royal Press Release:

The bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.

The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:
Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness;
Sweet William – Gallantry;
Hyacinth – Constancy of love;
Ivy - Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection;

Myrtle - the emblem of marriage; love.

The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

Khris from DYIBride.com featured a post on how you can make your own bouquet similar to Kate's. Check out her post here. She estimates that the grand total for a DIY copycat Kate bouquet is roughly: $1167.90

Ouch. Lily-of-the-valley is expensive.

If you decide to work with a florist for your bouquet ask them what other flowers they can recommend to get the same look of Kate's but for much cheaper. Perhaps you only want to have a few stems of Lily-of-the-valley and use white roses and cali lilies to bulk up the bunch. Your florist will be able to work within your requests and budget restraints.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post of our recent Bride, Rebecca. She had Lily-of-the-valley centrepieces and bouquets - for all of her Bridesmaids and herself! Simply beautiful, and classic - just like Kate.

Friendor Spotlight

Designs by Law: Christine Law

Did you know that bridal bouquets were originally meant to ward off evil spirits? Now bouquets are a popular item for Brides & bridesmaids to add femininity, elegance and colour.

We interviewed Christine, a Friendor of ours who owns Designs by Law. She works together with Brides to create beautiful bouquets, boutonnieres and floral arrangements for their wedding. We're pleased to recommend our clients to Christine for her friendly, affordable and professional service.

How did Designs by Law come to be?
Designs by Law came to be in 2001 after the birth of my middle child. My parents have greenhouses, and my mom gave me the idea to grow fall mums on their farm, and I sold them at a local market. While at the market, I sold cut flowers too. Someone approached me to ask if I did arrangements, I said yes and really enjoyed it! In 2004 I started design courses, and what started out as 1 wedding a year, turned into 8 , into 20, into 30... and now, I do approximately 50 - 60 a year!

What is your favourite type of bouquet or arrangement to make?
I love to do bridal bouquets, and make them personalized for the Bride and the theme/style of the wedding.

What is the trend for flowers/bouquets for 2011?
Continuing on from 2010 are the hand tied bouquets. I only get a few requests for cascade/arm bouquets. Much like last year, purple is the most popular colour, as well as white (as always).

When should a couple book your services for their wedding?
I prefer to have a few months (4-6) notice. I have done weddings a few weeks in advance, but it can be tricky if you need unique/out of season flowers that aren't readily available. The more time in advance, the better.

Do you have any specials right now that you’d like to feature?
Sure I do, it's my most popular package! It consists of:
Bridal Bouquet (roses only)
3 Bridesmaids bouquets (smaller version of Bride's)
Groom's boutonniere
3 Groomsmen boutonnieres
A toss bouquet
2 Mother corsages (wrist or pin)
2 Father boutonnieres
With delivery to one location (within servicing area) for $399.00 plus taxes.

That's a fabulous deal! What if the couple has more than 3 Bridemaids?
Each additional bouquet is $75.

How does it make you feel to know a couple is working with a Coordinator?
I think working with a Coordiantor keeps a bride on track, less stress and worry. It's nice to know as a Florist, that there will be someone at the venue to give direction, input and extra help.

Do you have a success story you’d like to share?
One time a hall refused to put out the cupcakes, so since I was there dropping off flowers, I spent an extra 1/2 hour setting them up for the couple. I don't think they ever knew that I did that for them, and I didn't tell them.
If that couple had hired us, we surely would have done it and saved you the 1/2 hour Christine!

When choosing your Florist, be sure to ask questions about the type of flower you want. How do they stand up to heat, wind, cold? How long will they last out of water? Your florist is there to help you create your wedding bouquets and arrangements.

To learn more, visit her website. To find out if you can get added discounts from Designs by Law, contact us regarding our Full Wedding Planning services.

*Images provided by Christine Law

Friendors

Vendors are business people/companies that offer services in a particular field. The Bride's Butler is a Wedding Vendor. A Photographer, Baker, Banquet Hall and Make-Up Artist are also Wedding Vendors. These people are the ones that help you create and form your event - unless of course you are going the "Do It Yourself " route on all accounts..and that to us = too much stress for you!

The Bride's Butler works with Vendors, whom we refer to as Friendors. These Friendors offer discounts and value add-ons to clients that are working with us for our Full Wedding Planning package.
Working together with a Planner and their Friendors can and will help you save money.

Often times Brides book us for Day of Coordination well before they've chosen any vendors - and we're pleased to suggest vendors for their wedding during the initial consultation meeting. Getting referrals from another professional, especially a Wedding Planner can help ease the decision making stress every Bride feels. There are also many Friendors that we're connected to that aren't listed on our site just yet.  

All vendors work in different ways, and I for one prefer to execute a wedding  alongside a professional that I know and trust, instead of with someone I'm meeting for the first time - or worse yet, someone I've heard unpleasant reviews about. Sometimes wedding vendors don't know what it's like to work with a Wedding Planner/ Coordinator - and that can be tough. We try our very best to communicate with all vendors at minimum the day before your wedding so that they are aware of our role, and of your (and our) expectations.

Knowing that a vendor has worked with a Planner/Coordinator before is comforting, as they will most likely respect our role as 'ring leader' for the day and will touch base with us and communicate any changes with us. Your vendors must act like a team on your wedding day - for we are there to work together for you; the Bride & Groom.

 
When a Vendor is a Friendor it's great for all parties involved.

Beginning in March we will have a monthly "Friendor Spotlight" on the blog. Stay tuned!