WaW Wedding Tip Sheet: Did You Include These In Your Budget?

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Often, one computes the budget according to supplier categories — food/catering, attire, coordination, emcee, photographer, videographer, sound system, projector, musicians, florist, etc. Because such is the case, other items that should be in the budget are forgotten. What are these items?

If you will take time to read every contract you signed, you will see this notation. You can get the headcount from the suppliers, or you can ask your coordinator to handle getting the headcount as well as the meal allowance requirement if you’d rather not provide the actual meals. If you will provide meals, you can just stick to getting the number of heads and the number of meals that need to be provided.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DidYouIncludeTheseInYourBudget2.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Meal allowances are between 150 and 250 pesos per head, while actual crew meals usually range from 150 to 450 pesos depending on the source. Please inform your supplier within the week of your wedding if you are providing meal allowances and not actual meals. That way, they can incorporate buying and/or eating out in their schedule/timeline. (In all truth, this is hard to do given the fast pace of preps, but informing the suppliers ahead of time that they will be getting meal allowances on the day helps them prepare — researching for a place to buy that’s nearby, having staff who can take care of meals while the rest are shooting or doing their tasks, etc.

b) Tips

You are not required to provide meals for waiters since the catering company takes charge of feeding them, but it’s a good idea to provide tips because you’d like to thank them for good service. Think about it: At a restaurant, you give a tip even if the service was just for an hour or two. With these waiters, service starts with the set up, at least 3 hours before the cocktail period, they will be hauling tables, chairs, and other items into your respective venues. Then, they will have to be on their toes for at least 4 hours. If you will have a period for partying, then it can stretch to 6 hours. It’s no joke to avoid sitting down for 7 or more hours straight. What’s the usual amount? At the minimum, 100 per head, but the average is 200 per head.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budget_Collage2.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Waiters need to haul these many items for a typical 150 to 200 pax event. This collage does not include yet the linens, the cushions, the food, the backdrop, and the styling elements.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Since their work also involves carrying equipment and the like, the staff of stylists and sound system providers are often given tips, too. A hundred per head is the going rate.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budget_Collage3.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]The stylist’s men need to fasten the wires to create the web, then screw each light bulb — no mean feat if you think of the sheer number of light bulbs that need to be screwed into the sockets.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]

For those who are with you during preps or who are working in your venues during preps time, 2 meals are requested — photo and video teams, coordination team, styling team, sound system, etc. For those who are only present during reception like the emcee, the projector provider, the mobile bar staff, etc., only one meal is needed. For the hair and make-up team, it’s best to ask since a lot of them only require one meal while there are others who stay till reception and require 2 meals.

Of course, these are recommendations based on experience and you can be as generous as you feel you can be given the circumstances of your big day.

c) Meeting-related Expenses

Meetings usually cost the clients because of gas, parking, and toll fees when applicable. The tab for drinks and food usually gets shouldered by the client as well. Thus, having lots of meetings in malls can cost the client a hefty sum. It’s better to avoid having a meeting over every little concern. Instead, determine which problems you can address via email or online calls.

Reserve the meetings for major stuff you need to do, for instance, it’s just a meet and greet, do it online, reserve the face to face meeting for discussing important details. And yes, do your homework, so that your meeting number 1 does not have the same agenda as your meeting number 2 and your meeting number 3. It will cost you more if you keep having meetings but you never do what’s needed from your end. (That’s also the reason why a lot of suppliers have limited number of meetings included in their packages. It is meant to make clients focus and finish their tasks so that they won’t end up cramming.)

d) Cocktail Food Items

[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DidYouIncludeTheseInYourBudget1.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]While you can depend on the caterer to provide this, some lower their packages but remove these oh-so-important items from the menu (or they leave just one item which won’t cut it for guests who skipped a full meal just to get to the ceremony on time). Cocktail food items placate guests when they are waiting for the couple to finish their post nuptial shoot and retouch. Thus, the couple will have to spend for this if only to buy time for their pictorial after the ceremony.

e) Accessories & DIYs

Sometimes, designers don’t include in their packages the accessories one will need for the ceremony — the cord, the secondary veil, the pillows, etc. Sometimes as well, there are accessories provided but you’d like to get personalised items. Of course, the expense will add up. Add to the list your hair piece, your jewelry, your groom’s stuff (socks, hanky, tie pin, belt, watch), and both pairs of shoes.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budget_Collage4.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Some also add personalised items to the registration table, the guest tables, the vip tables, and the like. These are the couples who chose not to hire a stylist and to DIY. Buying stuff to create personalised items will of course entail expenses not only for the items needed but for the transport and food that one will consume while hunting for the necessary items. We can’t quantify but the effort to make the DIY items and the toll they will take on the faces and hands of those who are working might mean trips to the derma. (You never know so better have it here, right?).

I’m sure you can think of other things that can creep up on your budget — among them are extra alcohol (beer, hard drinks), gifts for principal sponsors (if you didn’t hire a supplier to provide these), extra food for extra guests who decided to come last minute, and fees for extra hours in the venue, for the bridal car, for the sound system in case things don’t happen as planned in the timeline.

Bottomline: Have extra money prepared for your big day. Do not max out your savings and what you expect to get from your job and your gift-givers.

[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”http://weddingsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Budget_Collage5.jpg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Whenever you look at photos of an event, think of all the hard work that went into preparing the place and the set up so that it would be a feast for the eyes.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Thank you, Thoffy Consulta of Events by Thoffy and Queen David of Just Like Ours, for serving as my consultants for this article. Thank you as well to Ayie Tuates of Imbitado for the behind the scenes photos of the set-up and Myio Okamoto for the actual reception and ceremony photos.

Read more of Darlene Tan-Salazar’s Wedding Tip Sheet articles at www.weddingsatwork.com/category/waw-wedding-tip-sheet/.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 1″]About Darlene Tan-Salazar, W@W Supplier of Year (2015):

Darlene started out as a Planner/Coordinator of Perfect 10 Weddings. Since she needed more time for family matters, she opted to focus on emceeing, and has since started “The Wedding Tip Sheet“, a Facebook page that tackles the practical points in planning a wedding.[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Block Grid Item 2″][/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

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