To Tip...Or Not to Tip...That is the Question?

One of my fabulous brides posed the above question to me today and with my own two cents (for what it's worth!) and a little research, here is what I've found...

Typically if the person owns their own business you do not need to tip because they will have negotiated the price that they are expecting. If of course you feel they go above and beyond, than feel free to give them a little extra something at the end of the evening (typically 10%). If you are there when the flowers and cake are delivered than they typically get a $10 tip at that time.

Other Vendors:
DJ - Yes.

Band/Musicians - Yes, but not necessarily if they are booked independently.
Officiant - Yes - depending on the situation or a donation to the church. City officials such as a Justice of the Peace are typically not allowed to accept gratuity.
Venue - Yes for coat check ($1-2 per guest) and parking ($1-1.50 per car) as well as bathroom attendants if any.

Limo/Transportation - Yes.

Catering - Yes but make sure it is not already included in the contract. A service fee is separate and does not include tip.

Photography - Depends, see above.
Videography - Depends, see above.
Florist - Possibly at delivery.
Cake - Possibly at delivery.
Decor - No.

The best way to thank someone is to REFER them to your friends and family. A handwritten thank you note with a picture of you in your dress for the seamstress or cutting the cake for the bakery are a priceless gift!

Decision Time

A few posts back I was trying to decide which fabulous Twirl dress I was going to wear to a wedding we had over the weekend. Well....unfortunately spring in the Rockies didn't cooperate and I decided to go with a slightly warmer outfit - pants and a cropped jacket. The good news is I have two more weddings and bridal showers and will get to wear them both soon! In the meantime, here are the pics from Saturday night :-)

Family photo!

Our cheesy prom pic.

Full length pic.

My beautiful friend and soon to be bride - Jaime! xo

"Last Fling Before the Ring"

This past weekend, I had the honor of organizing a Bachelorette party or "Last Fling Before the Ring" for my wonderful friend, Jamie. To get started, I added pink 'bling' at the bottom of the Hobby Lobby invites as well as bedazzled a few hot pink champagne glasses with ribbon and personalized with guests names. Mulberries made a fabulous cake to match the high heels on the invite and after some detective work of having them look up her wedding cake flavors I knew which one to pick :-)  Finally, hot pink cocktail napkins from Hallmark that said "Jamie's Last Fling Before The Ring" were the perfect accessory! (In fact, the Mother of the Bride loved them so much, she's saving them for the bridal shower in a couple of weeks).

Jamie wanted a GNO or Girls Night Out on a rooftop somewhere, but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate to be outside. We ended up inside at the Hyatt Peaks Lounge and the views were oh so ah-mazing! From there we went to Four Seasons and let the party roll on in a town car with driver thanks to her fabulous fiance!!!  We had a great time and the night was full of new friends and memories. Last Fling Before The Ring was considered a success and now it's on to the big day!!!!!

The Bride-to-Be with her Bachelorette sash and personalized champagne glass.



Yummy Mulberries cake and decorated champagne glasses.



Jamie's "Last Fling Before The Ring"!



My hubby even got in on the action too :-)

(Long enough to be my ride and hang with the groom).

View from the Hyatt Peaks Lounge.

Beautiful MOB and Bachelorette.

 Four Seasons flowers - great centerpiece ideas!

Group Shot! Great night!











The One That Started It All....

Leah and Gill were married on June 9th, 2007 at a gorgeous ceremony and reception at the Denver Country Club. While Leah was referred to me by a friend (as the friend's boyfriend's sister), we have now become fast friends ourselves and enjoy playdates with our baby girls! Here are a few pics from her amazing day and a happy almost four years to Leah and Gill! For any additional vendor info, feel free to contact me. Flowers were by Perfect Petal and Stem Studio.The photos are all courtesy of Leah and my referral and good friend Alexis.

Hallmark's Spring Fling Open House!

EXCITING NEWS - I've partnered with my local Hallmark store and good friend, Bry Stewart, to bring custom printing to all of my brides at a 20% discount!!! Just contact me for your coupon and more info on how to place your next printing order. Bry's Hallmark is located in Highlands Ranch at 9441 South University Boulevard (in the shopping center on the corner of Colorado and University), 303-683-1146, and offers custom printing on invitations and announcements perfect for all occasions! They are fast, professional and affordable (especially with your awesome discount!). 

Stop by this weekend, Saturday, April 2nd, from 9 am - 6 pm and Sunday, April 3rd, from Noon - 5 pm for hourly register to wins, treats to eat and a free gift ($35 dollar value) with any $25 purchase while supplies last. Help fill the local food pantry by bringing in non-perishable food items now through April 3rd. Hope to see you there!

I'm Officially a TWIRL Girl!

When a wedding invite came in the mail yesterday, the first thing I thought was "What on earth am I going to wear?'. Not used to being a guest, but the wedding coordinator in a business suit (necessary for climbing ladders, crawling under tables and everything in between when working) it was the perfect excuse to go shopping! And I knew just where I wanted to go - Twirl at 537 E. Mississippi Avenue in Denver. Greeted by the always fashionable owner, Alissa, and with Kylie's approving 'yes' to my picks (we haven't learned 'no' yet thank goodness) all I need now are the heels!!!

Whether you're the bride to be, maid of honor, or guest, Twirl has the perfect special occasion outfit for you. Walk into Alissa's fabulous closet called Twirl and walk out ready for your wedding shower, bachelorette party or rehearsal dinner in an outfit no one else has ever even seen. Also perfect for cute new clothes to travel and play in if you're planning a destination wedding!

You are unique - let is shine and smile because this is your moment!

Here are my fabulous finds along with a super cute gray tee that is too comfy to part with for a pic!

Should I wear this one?

Or this one? I'll let you know after April 30th.

On a side note...

Jason's been working really hard on the backyard lately getting it ready for summer! We love to entertain and can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can enjoy our new patio, pergola and outdoor fireplace. In the meantime, I'm working on a "Rockabilly and Ribs" themed birthday party come August for the big 3-6 (his not mine!). First thing checked off the list - my outfit thanks to my little shopping excursion today.

With a cute pair of capris and heels, I'm ready to rock!

New pink wrap in case it's gets chilly and
party extends past dark (which I'm sure it will)!

Check back often for wedding and party pics - more to come! And go see Alissa at Twirl! Or better yet, have her come to you and host a Twirl party in your home. You'll get 10% of the sales in Twirl credit for hosting and who doesn't love free clothes?!?! To book today contact Alissa at info@thetwirlgirl.com or 303-906-3610.

SAVE THE DATE

I am so excited to "Save the Date" on October 15th, 2011 for high school sweethearts Chris and Nikki. They are a fun-loving, energetic and perfect compliment to one another kind of couple. Nikki has put together a fabulous wedding website at http://www.chrisandnikki2011.com/ with important wedding weekend info as well as the story of how they met, the proposal and pictures from over the years. 

The Happy Couple!

Pink Briefcase designed their super cute Save the Date cards and if you mention "Chris and Nikki wedding" you can get a discounted rate!



Other cute "Save the Date" ideas:

Custom magnets from A Giftful Heart



  My gorgeous friend Jaime and her firefighter fiance Bryan!



Passport cards for a destination wedding

Pencil Us In! Ideas



DIY Project from Oncewed.Com



Our Big Day Details



Hotel gift baskets included Boulder chips, bottled water, wine openers, fireball candy and a map of Denver.



August 1st, 2008 was the hottest day of the year and the best day of my life. It was the day we said 'I Do' at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Denver. After an intimate ceremony by the rocks and waterfall at Club Level, we headed across Seventeenth Street to the Ballroom for dinner and dancing. Here are a few of the special details that made it a day we'd always remember. Hope you enjoy! All our photos are by our fabulous wedding photographer Deb DesMarteau.

 

All of the single Bridesmaids signed the bottom of my shoes for good luck and it's said the last name to wear off is next to marry. I've also heard the first to wear off is first to marry. I didn't throw my bouquet so this was a fun alternative!



Our guestbook table included a framed invitation from Hallmark and a lighted candle in memory of everyone that was with us in spirit. The table below held pictures of our parents and grandparents on their wedding day with their anniversary engraved at the bottom of the frame.



Our custom aisle runner was made by a special friend and painted by my sister who was also one of my Maids of Honor. I had two!



The Fire Department Posted Colors at the beginning of our Ceremony.

 

Our adorable nephews served as Ring Bearers.

A good friend composed and performed an original song just for our ceremony, "Our Song".




Framed engagement photos at the Reception for all of our guests to sign. They hang on the wall in our living room as a daily reminder of wonderful friends and well wishes for years to come.



Tall centerpieces were alternated with lower ones of red roses from Art of the Flower.








Delicious cake from Mulberries Cake Shop and a custom cake topper from Toppers with Glitz.

 



You know it's a good party when everyone's dancing and the ties come off!



And you dance so hard, you fall asleep!

Jason and four of the firefighter Groomsmen changed into their bunker gear for a few fun photos!

Group shot on the antique fire engine. It was parked out front during the ceremony to let guests know they were in the right place!



Time for happily ever after!

 









Pretty in Pink

After plenty of planning (I drew and re-drew diagrams), A LOT of help from my SIL, Jessica, and one minor melt down (mine not the babe's)....Kylie's first birthday was declared a success!!! My inspiration started as "shabby chic" and took on its own identity from there - with lots of pink of course.





Year in Review Pics - Left.  Cupcake Plate for Everyone to Sign from 1st Wishes- Center. Framed Invite from Tiny Prints - Right.



Family Recipe Spiced Tea Party Favors. Inspiration from Bakerella.

Pink Beads from Hobby Lobby. I originally made Tissue Pom Poms to go here but they were too big so they're now hanging in Kylie's room. Next time, I think I'm going to try these - very cute rose balls.

Ruffled Party Streamers! Instructions from the awesome website How Does She Do It. Or buy them already made at my SIL's etsy shop !!!

Our "Grown Up Kids Menu" with spicy mac and cheese, grilled cheese with apple and bacon, hummus and veggies, mini sliders, almond crusted chicken fingers and tomato soup shooters with grilled cheese.

Catering by the FABULOUS The Fat Grape.

Another very affordable project from How Does She Do It (sorry I can't remember the exact link).

Hot Glue Gun + Wood Sticks + Scrapbook Letters = Easy Peasy Cupcake Toppers (Inexpensive Too!)

Kylie's "Smash Cake"!

Chocolate with Health bar, Strawberry and Vanilla cupcakes. Thank you Jessica Luyben!!!

Cake officially "smashed". She loved it!!!!