Tov Maod Events

printed in MODERN BRIDE Magazine in September 2005

(PRICES QUOTED ARE USD $$)

From choosing the right site, to creative cutting back, we have multiple ways to reduce your floral budget. Here are some ways to keep your numbers and blood pressure lower.

1. Location, Location, Location: Choose ceremony and location settings that are already naturally beautiful with trees and planted flowers galore.

2. Garden Party: If you want your decorations to be all about the flowers, why not make it a garden wedding at a local botanical, public, or hotel garden?

3. Keep It Simple: Go for sophisticated, unique arrangements such as elegant calla lilies in glass vases or bowls containing floating candles and gardenias. These arrangements are elegant, understated, and relatively inexpensive. Consider using flowering plants like African violets or daffodils in terra cotta pots tied with a lovely colorful ribbon.

4. Single And Loving It: Have each bridesmaid carry a single stem tied with a beautiful ribbon instead of a full bouquet. For your décor, fill a pitcher with daisies for a fresh, simple arrangement.

5. Champagne Wishes: Orchids and lily of the valley aren’t the only beautiful buds on the vine. Go to the flower market and see for yourself. There are other less expensive flower options: dahlias — big fluffy flowers in yummy colors — zinnias, sunflowers, daisies and baby’s breath to name a few.

6. Avoid The Holidays: We’re not asking you to be a bridal Grinch, but flower prices usually go way up around holidays. Be sure to choose your wedding date with this in mind.

7. Season’s Best: Flowers are always better priced when they are in season.

8. Buy in Bulk: Found a great price on a flat of tulips? Grab all you can and use them everywhere! Garden rose bushes in flower boxes are also available to rent, and as a double treat, make a beautiful and substantial camouflage for the front of a stage or bimah.

9. Recycle: Transfer the flowers from your ceremony to your reception. Similarly, re-arrange the flowers from your rehearsal dinner for your cocktail reception.

10. Light It Up: Trade floral centerpieces for elaborate candles on every reception table. If a floral touch is a must-have, sprinkle rose petals around the candle holders.

Cutting reception costs doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. With some simple streamlining and strategic spending, it is completely within the realm of possibility to realize your dream wedding within your spending limit.

One of the biggest money savers is to choose a naturally beautiful reception site that won’t require expensive décor. An ornate ballroom, breathtaking beach, or glorious rose garden can each stand on it’s own without additional embellishment.

You can also trim costs by limiting your menu to a single entrée, or holding your reception outside of the dinner hour. A brunch, luncheon, or cocktail reception is considerably less expensive than a dinner, and an earlier hour will usually net you savings on your location.

Beverage costs can be reduced by bringing in your own liquor, limiting an open bar to the cocktail hour, or by hosting a soft bar of wine, beer, and soft drinks.

Choosing favors that serve a dual purpose — such as mini frames that hold seating cards — can create savings, or you may choose to forego favors altogether in order to put more money towards other aspects of your event.

Using non-floral centerpieces with candles or fruit, or utilizing inexpensive flowers will slash your floral bill, and plain white-on-white linens and china create a clean, cost-effective look that is perfect for a wedding.

Finally, ask your site manager about possible courtesy upgrades to your package, such as free parking for guests. You won’t know unless you ask, and all you have to lose are additional costs.

I use a lot of Hebrew and Yiddish terminology in the posts I write. So I added a glossary page for you to look at.

This should help some of the “uninitiated” out there! If I missed something that you’ve seen in a post, leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list.

I am working on a new page/post describing the details of a Jewish wedding ceremony. It is very educational and meaningful.

Till next post,

Kol tuv,

Miryam

“Hachnasat Kallah”

What in the world does that mean?

Helping a bride and groom start their life together when they do not have any financial means to do so themselves.

It’s an amazing phenomenon here in Israel and in other Jewish communities around the globe. If you’ve ever set up home for the first time, you understand that much more is needed than just the cost of the wedding. If you are unfortunate enough to not have any independent means or family support, what’s a couple to do?

The Community pitches in to help the others! It is such a Mitzvah to help a Kallah and Chasson start their new life together! What a privilege it is to participate in such a way! It is considered an act of “chesed” - loving kindness.

TOV MAOD EVENTS has set up a Hachnasat Kallah Fund for those who wish to help in some way. We will tremendously discount our services or charge only actual material costs for a couple that is truly in need (a statement from a Rabbi to verify this is necessary). This leaves far less for them to be concerned about. We work with other organizations to help find household furnishings and appliances.

This community network is a wonderful example of “Ahavat Klal Yisroel” - loving all our fellow Jews. It keeps us family!

For information about donating to this fund, please go to the page “DONATE” or  contact: miryam@tovmaod.com

Tizku le’mitzvot!

Miryam

When budgeting for a wedding, it’s easy to remember the large categories, such as the venue,catering, flowers, cake, and of course, the dress. However, there are certain things that often get overlooked and which can add up to a hefty sum if not planned for properly. Here are some of the most common added expenses that you should be aware of in order to avoid any unwelcome surprises at the end of the night.

Tips: Before you sign any of your vendor contracts, make sure that they specify whether or not gratuity is included. Vendors who own their own businesses do not expect tips, as they have already included everything in their initial negotiations with you. However when it comes to the reception venue, you should ask the site manager about the policies for tipping the wait staff, bar tenders, and parking valets. Many catering companies already include tips which they divide up between the workers.

If tips are not included, expect to pay between 15 to 20% of the total catering bill. Those who deliver the flowers and the cake should also be tipped between five and ten dollars. It is not necessary to tip your officiant, but if he or any other vendor has done an extraordinary job, you can send a note of appreciation and gift certificate later on. Don’t forget to include tips for coat checkers and powder room attendants as well.

Parking: Your guests should not be responsible for any parking costs. Ask the reception site what the parking costs are and budget in the adequate amount for validations, as well as tips for the valets.

Corkage Fee: Because alcohol is very lucrative for venues, most places will try to deter you from bringing in your own wine by charging a high corkage fee. If you are planning to buy alcohol from outside, prepare to pay an additional ten to 25 dollars for each bottle that’s opened.

Cake-Cutting Fee: Usually reception sites will not charge a cake-cutting fee if you order directly from their cake vendor. However, if you are bringing in a cake made by your own baker, the cutting fee can add up to about a dollar per slice.

Overtime Fees:Your vendors will most likely charge you a fee if they have to work more hours than you initially agreed on. Ask your reception site what the rules are if you go over your allotted time and make sure any overtime costs are clearly spelled out in all of your vendor contracts.

How do we begin creating a budget?

Most of us already have an idea of what we can afford to spend. Not all of us are realistic about all the details. We have lists of dreamy things we want to include and then get a big shock when we tally up the bills. Having a good estimate of where the money goes gives you a starting point for the choices you need to make.

• RECEPTION – 53% of the budget money
• ATTIRE and ACCESSORIES – 10%
• PHOTOGRAPHY – 9%
• ENTERTAINMENT – 7%
• FLORAL and DECORATIONS – 7%
• MISCELLANEOUS – 6%
• RING(S)/KETUBAH –5%
• TRANSPORTATION – 2%
• GIFTS – 2%
• OFFICIANT/DONATION – 2%

WAIT!!!!! That’s more than 100%!!!! Yes, indeed it is. And that is not the whole list of expenditures. A Consultant/Coordinator can keep you in reality, offer cost saving ideas, get the desired effects AND save you money even including her fees!

Starting your married life in tremendous debt is not the ideal way to happiness. There will be plenty of other good things to invest your money in.

A note about parents who pay the wedding expenses: If they are wealthy and want to spend without limit, wonderful! But remember that your parents didn’t stay wealthy by splurging on frivolities. And if they are not with “deep pockets”, you don’t want to bankrupt them.

Even if you have an extremely small and tight budget, “You can still do something unique and unusual and it (still) winds up being less expensive” – David Tutera, event planner, New York City

TOV MAOD EVENTS can plan and produce a beautifully memorable wedding no matter what the circumstances.

Check out other categories on this blog for  helpful ideas!