Etsy Fun -Bag Made from Reclaimed Seatbelt's

Great bag to carry around your Green wedding planning books! From etsy shop urchinbags.

Tipping Guidelines for Events

As wedding season is upon us and I've been getting questions from clients about tipping, I thought I would re-post this handy little guild.

All tipping is optional.  Most event professionals include a service or gratuity charge in their bill.  As tipping is always an extra consideration to express gratitude for exceptional service, the following list reflects a general industry standard.

Who receives the tip?	How much?	Who pays the tip?
Officiant (Minister, Rabbi, Priest, Pastor, etc.)	Minimum of $10 - $100, maximum depends on size of wedding and relationship to official.	The groom gives the tip in a marked envelope to the best man to pass to the official after the ceremony or Consultant.
Officiant (Non-Clergy, Marriage Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, etc.)	$10 and up.  Some may not accept money due to conduct restrictions.	Same as clergy members.
Altar boys, sextons, cantors, church organists	If not covered by the church, $5 to $25 is appropriate.	Ceremony Host/Hostess or Consultant when bill is paid.
Florist, Baker, Photographer	Not customary – exceptions if extraordinary services were extended (10 – 15% if tip is given for extraordinary service).	Reception Host or Consultant
Ceremony Musicians	15% of services or $25.00 flat per musician.	Best man pays as services end.  Best man or consultant.
Limousine Service	Usually included in quote, otherwise 15 – 20%.	Reception Host or Consultant
Delivery Truck Driver (including floral deliveries)	$5 - $25 per person	Consultant or staff member present may deliver tip for client at delivery if driver performs extra service.
Coat Room Attendants or Powder Room Attendant	$0.50 per person or a pre-negotiated flat fee	If it’s not part of your facility bill, it’s paid after reception.
Caterer, banquet manager, waiters, waitresses, table captains, maitre d’hotel.	15% (which will generally be split amongst them) if not included in bill.	If included in bill, pay with entire charge, if not, pay after reception.
Bartenders	15% - 20% of the liquor bill, if not included in bill.	Pay with bill or after reception.
DJ/Reception Musicians	$20 - $25 per musician, 5% - 15% for DJ	Best man or Consultant hold tip until after performance.
Hair & Makeup, Manicurist, Masseuse	10 – 15% of total bill	You may pay yourself, or give the funds to coordinator to pay.

Mid Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase and Ticket Giveaway

Sunday, February 27, 2011 | 1pm to 5pm
Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, College Park, MD

As a wedding planner and a greenie in both my business and personal life, this show really appealed to me. I was impressed with all the green options from food/wine,dresses, Photograpers annd DJ's to venues presented. There were even green options I hadn't seen before. And the Man Cave with sport going helped all the significant others that got dragged in!

Last year I had the pleasure of attending the first Mid Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase with Shayna Weddle Walker of Williamsburg Wedding Design. You can read her account of the show here.

And for this years show, I will be giving away a pair of tickets! 

Now on to the rules:

1. Follow Forrach Event Planning on Facebook.

2. Leave a comment about how you'll green your wedding.

A winner will be picked at random on February 20, 2011.

Good luck!

Jewel Chocolate by XAN Confections

I was watching an episode of Unwrapped today an they were talking about these very pretty caramel candy from XAN Confections . They are non-dairy, vegan and gluten-free.And the purple ones are made with ancho chilis so they have some kick to them. I so need to try some!