Popular Q&A's
This might not be your first wedding and even if it isn't you might have lots of questions about your wedding or certain aspects of the wedding. Here are some common questions that I get asked with my answers, I hope that this helps.
Do I have to feed my wedding vendors at my wedding?
Yes, most vendors require a hot meal at your wedding, you will need to confirm how many vendors in total you will need to feed at your wedding (Example: (1) Coordinator, (1) DJ, (2) Photographers, (6) Band Members, (1) Photo Booth Attendant, (1) Police Officer, (1) Venue Manager = 13 Total Vendor Meals Caterers normally charge less than a guest meal for a vendor meal.
Do I need to tip my vendors and how much do I tip?
Tipping is considered a courtesy and is not required. Your caterer or bartender normally include gratuity (make sure to check), but all of your other vendors do not charge that fee typically. The general rule is to tip anyone that provides a service, that would be all of your vendors. You don't need to tip everyone 20 percent of their total bills. Most couples tip each vendor between $50 and $200. I have received anywhere from a $50 to $500 tip depending on how long I worked with the client and what I provided for them. Use your own discretion. Couples also give out gift cards, bottles of wine etc as tips/gifts for vendors. If you are giving out cash tips, please make sure to put them in sealed envelopes that are clearly labeled for each vendor.
How does my alcohol get iced down before my wedding starts?
You can have your alcohol delivered chilled from alcohol delivery services and suppliers, but the vast majority of the time your caterer and bartending company will have everything iced down and setup by cocktail hour.
Will my coordinator be at the hotel when I am getting my hair and makeup done?
No, services always begin at the venue (which is normally 8 to 10 hours). If you need wedding items picked up on the way to the venue or personal flowers transported, that can be added to the timeline within the 10 hour wedding day coverage.
Do I have to do all of the traditions at my wedding?
No, you can do whatever you want to do, it's your wedding day. A lot of couples are skipping traditions (parent dances, toasts, bride walking with father etc) have fun at your wedding and don't feel pressured to do anything that you do not want to do.
Will 70 to 80 percent of my guest list attend the wedding?
That is the general rule or standard to go by, but you know your guest list, if you are inviting a lot of local people your guest count will probably be high. If your venue size max guest count is 180 don't invite 220 hoping that you will get that many no's and not be over capacity. I have planned many weddings where 90 percent said Yes and there have been many where 99 percent of the list said yes.
Will my coordinator or florist setup the tables, chairs etc at the venue?
No, this is typically done by your venue, caterer or rental company. Your coordinator does the floor plan and oversees the setup, the florist decorates the wedding and in most cases the venue or caterer setup, flip and takedown the tables and chairs.
Should I hire my friend of family to work or provide a service for my wedding?
It depends on the service. Here are some jobs or responsibilities friends of family can provide officiating (if they've done it before or are good at public speaking), wedding cake/dessert (if they know how to stack a wedding cake if you are wanting a tied cake), flowers (if you are making plans for who will setup, flip and takedown etc), live music (ceremony, cocktail hour , first dance song not entire wedding), invitations, signage, favors, hair and makeup (if you trust them to take on this task). You can always hire professional wedding vendors, but many couples outsource some of the wedding jobs/tasks to friends and family and it normally works out very well.
Should I do a dress change?
You don't have to do a dress change, but a lot of brides do change dresses, so that they can dance more and relax a little or just to change up their look. Its up to you, but I do highly recommend a shirt change for the groom. Always pack an extra shirt for the groom incase he sweats a lot or gets food/drink on his shirt. You won't regret this, trust me.
Should I do a receiving line, how will I talk to all of my guests?
Most couples do not do a traditional receiving line. During dinner is when the wedding couple typically goes table to table to "receive" their guests. You might not get to every table before being called to the next thing or photo opp, but you will get to talk to the vast majority of your guests during the dinner portion of your wedding.
Will I pickup my wedding items the week after my wedding?
Your wedding items will be packed up during the end of your wedding and someone from your family or wedding party will have to take the items away from the venue. This ensures that nothing gets lost or misplaced after the wedding. Make sure to assign people to be responsible for your wedding items when the wedding is over.
Do I have to feed my wedding vendors at my wedding?
Yes, most vendors require a hot meal at your wedding, you will need to confirm how many vendors in total you will need to feed at your wedding (Example: (1) Coordinator, (1) DJ, (2) Photographers, (6) Band Members, (1) Photo Booth Attendant, (1) Police Officer, (1) Venue Manager = 13 Total Vendor Meals Caterers normally charge less than a guest meal for a vendor meal.
Do I need to tip my vendors and how much do I tip?
Tipping is considered a courtesy and is not required. Your caterer or bartender normally include gratuity (make sure to check), but all of your other vendors do not charge that fee typically. The general rule is to tip anyone that provides a service, that would be all of your vendors. You don't need to tip everyone 20 percent of their total bills. Most couples tip each vendor between $50 and $200. I have received anywhere from a $50 to $500 tip depending on how long I worked with the client and what I provided for them. Use your own discretion. Couples also give out gift cards, bottles of wine etc as tips/gifts for vendors. If you are giving out cash tips, please make sure to put them in sealed envelopes that are clearly labeled for each vendor.
How does my alcohol get iced down before my wedding starts?
You can have your alcohol delivered chilled from alcohol delivery services and suppliers, but the vast majority of the time your caterer and bartending company will have everything iced down and setup by cocktail hour.
Will my coordinator be at the hotel when I am getting my hair and makeup done?
No, services always begin at the venue (which is normally 8 to 10 hours). If you need wedding items picked up on the way to the venue or personal flowers transported, that can be added to the timeline within the 10 hour wedding day coverage.
Do I have to do all of the traditions at my wedding?
No, you can do whatever you want to do, it's your wedding day. A lot of couples are skipping traditions (parent dances, toasts, bride walking with father etc) have fun at your wedding and don't feel pressured to do anything that you do not want to do.
Will 70 to 80 percent of my guest list attend the wedding?
That is the general rule or standard to go by, but you know your guest list, if you are inviting a lot of local people your guest count will probably be high. If your venue size max guest count is 180 don't invite 220 hoping that you will get that many no's and not be over capacity. I have planned many weddings where 90 percent said Yes and there have been many where 99 percent of the list said yes.
Will my coordinator or florist setup the tables, chairs etc at the venue?
No, this is typically done by your venue, caterer or rental company. Your coordinator does the floor plan and oversees the setup, the florist decorates the wedding and in most cases the venue or caterer setup, flip and takedown the tables and chairs.
Should I hire my friend of family to work or provide a service for my wedding?
It depends on the service. Here are some jobs or responsibilities friends of family can provide officiating (if they've done it before or are good at public speaking), wedding cake/dessert (if they know how to stack a wedding cake if you are wanting a tied cake), flowers (if you are making plans for who will setup, flip and takedown etc), live music (ceremony, cocktail hour , first dance song not entire wedding), invitations, signage, favors, hair and makeup (if you trust them to take on this task). You can always hire professional wedding vendors, but many couples outsource some of the wedding jobs/tasks to friends and family and it normally works out very well.
Should I do a dress change?
You don't have to do a dress change, but a lot of brides do change dresses, so that they can dance more and relax a little or just to change up their look. Its up to you, but I do highly recommend a shirt change for the groom. Always pack an extra shirt for the groom incase he sweats a lot or gets food/drink on his shirt. You won't regret this, trust me.
Should I do a receiving line, how will I talk to all of my guests?
Most couples do not do a traditional receiving line. During dinner is when the wedding couple typically goes table to table to "receive" their guests. You might not get to every table before being called to the next thing or photo opp, but you will get to talk to the vast majority of your guests during the dinner portion of your wedding.
Will I pickup my wedding items the week after my wedding?
Your wedding items will be packed up during the end of your wedding and someone from your family or wedding party will have to take the items away from the venue. This ensures that nothing gets lost or misplaced after the wedding. Make sure to assign people to be responsible for your wedding items when the wedding is over.