Chicagoland Brides
These pages will help the
Bride-To-Be get organized, get a
feel for prices of certain items, and
to purchase or sign up for
registries.
They can also be used by the
Bridesmaids and guests attending
the events. They can make
purchases from the links and offer
as GIFTS.
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The Brides parents usually pay for:
- Engagement party
- printing costs
- gown
- flowers for decor & bride, boquets and corsages for bridal party
- reception (all food)
- transportation to and from for Bride, Groom & attendants, parents
- church or wedding location fee
- music for wedding and reception
- photography
- wedding cake & pastries for reception
The Groom's parents usually pay for:
- The bar tab
- Wedding License & Officiate fee
- (groom) pays for Tuxedo
- boutonnieres for Groom and groomsmen
- corsages for mothers & grandmothers
- rehearsal dinner (all food and beverage), including invitations to this event
- Wedding Gift
The Bride and Groom pay for
- their rings,
- bridal party gifts,
- bridal breakfast/cocktail party BEFORE wedding date,
- and honeymoon.
The Best Man and Maid/Matron of honor pay for
- the bachelor/bachelorette parties (transportation, food/beverage,
entertainment etc), or ask those attending to split the costs.
- The attendants pay for their own tuxes and gowns, as well as any
hair/makeup they want.
- The bridesmaids host and pay for the bridal shower (decorations, all food &
beverage)
The guests pay for their own transportation, hotel and sitter fee's.
Some parents (bride or grooms)
cannot afford to pay for much for
the wedding. If this is the case, then
- They can help with some of the
leg work and phone calls etc
during the planning phase
- They can offer to pay for certain
aspects of the
wedding/reception, however
- They should not expect to invite
too many people to the event, or
get an equal amount to invite as
those do that are paying much
more
- The Bride and Groom may have
too "expensive" choices, and
should help pay for their event,
or come up with much simpler
alternatives (and guest count).
- It's the Bride and Grooms
wedding. Just because one or
both sets of parents are paying
for the majority of the event
doesn't give them the right to
decide on the theme or guest
counts.
BUDGETING THE WEDDING
- Figure out how much everyone
can spend on the event
- Determine then the cost per
guest.
For example, if the total amount of
money on hand for the wedding is
$10,000 and you believe your guest
list is 100 people (including the
wedding party) then the cost per head
is $100. Out of this cost, figure that a
good 50% will be for food and
beverage. That is $50 per person, and
should also include all gratuities,
service and delivery charges. This will
help you to get food and beverage
choices under control.
The other 50% will cover ALL the other
expenses, from the wedding dress,
rings, to ceremony, photography etc.
including all gratuities.
Reduce your guest list and/or readjust
your food and beverage choices.
Hosting a wedding brunch is much less
expensive than hosting a dinner event.
Your bar tab and food tab will be much
less money. Keep in mind though that
because the ceremony will be in the
morning, bachelor/bachelorette parties
should not be given the night before.
IMPORTANT
For any and all parties before the
wedding, no matter who is hosting
them, MAKE SURE you get the entire
guest lists!!!
Whomever was invited to any party,
regardless if they attended or not, they
should also be invited to the Wedding
and Reception.
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BRIDESMAIDS
- help the bride the morning of the
wedding
- helps the bride to pack for
honeymoon, and attends to her
change of clothes after reception
- attends all pre wedding parties
- helps address invitations
- makes sure all other
bridesmaids attend fittings and
rehearsals
- makes sure to talk to
photographer regarding family
of the bride and groom for after
wedding shots
- maid of honor adjusts train &
holds her bouquet while rings
are exchanged
- maid of honor makes sure
everyone has their flowers and
assures flower girl
- signs the marriage certificate as
a witness at the church
- attends to bridal gown to have it
taken to the cleaners for care.
GROOMSMEN & USHERS
- take care of corsages &
boutineer's at wedding. Best
man will inform you to ladies and
men who are to receive flowers
BEFORE being seated.
- seating & passing out programs
- decorating the car
- keeping an eye on the gift table
- transporting gifts after reception
- Best man makes sure that he
has the ring and marriage
certificate. He also gets the
officiate fee and pays him after
the wedding.
- He signs the marriage certificate
as a witness at the church
- Makes sure the other
groomsmen and ushers are
performing their duties
- Takes care of luggage and
travel documents, and makes
sure groom has them before
leaving
- Makes the first toast at the
reception
- Passes out tips to Musicians,
Valet, Coat check & bathroom
attendants as well as
transportation/shuttle drivers.
- Best man returns tuxes in time
TIPPING
- Wedding Planner Photo's of your
event for their portfolio, a gift or gift
certificate. Tipping is optional at 10% of
their fee.
- Hair/Makeup 15-25% expected; any
parking fee's if they travel
- Musicians Church music or soloist, not
necessary if it is included in church fee.
If not, typically $20-30 per church
musician. Musicians at reception,
optional $15-25 per musician, $50-100
for DJ or 15% of their fee. Arrange to
have reception musicians dine with staff,
or have plates made up for them during
the dinner break.
- Photographer If they are a studio
owner, then tip is not necessary. If they
are working for studio then optional $50
per photographer,
- Reception Coordinator/Banquet
Manager may add 2% or so gratuity to
food and beverage bill. Read the
contract. Otherwise 18% or more, based
on food and beverage fee only (not
rentals or incidentals). If food and
beverage prices are being paid by 2
different people; then make sure that
they are separated, and have it in the
contract. Otherwise $20-30 per
bartender or 10% of bar tab is
acceptable, and optional, especially if
they are accepting tips from guests in tip
jar. You can request signs saying "No
Tipping Please" be placed at bar, coat
check, bathroom attendants and valet
etc. if you will be paying their tips OR if it
is included in the contract.
- Other Reception: Coat Room $1-2 per
guest Bathroom attendant $1 per guest
Valet $1 per car. ASK how many
attendants & valet etc., will be supplied
and have it in the contract.
- Officiate Don't forget to invite them to
the reception. If at a church and they do
not charge a fee, make a donation of
$200-400. If they do charge a fee, make
the donation less. If non denomination,
tip $50-100. Court house weddings
cannot accept tips. Best man gives
gratuity after rehearsal, or after wedding.
- Delivery Leave envelopes with $5-15
with person in charge at church &
reception location. This is expected
- Transportation Usually is included in
contract, if not, it's expected 15-20% of
total bill. Best man passes out this tip.
Get Wedding Insurance
- In case Act of God cancels all
or part of your wedding
- Liability, especially if you are
hosting the party at your
residence or another site
- Some insurance can be placed
on home owners insurance
- For rings and gowns, presents
etc.
- Ask ALL your vendor's for their
insurance and to see it
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