Favorite Finds for Weddings and Special Occasions on Etsy.com
For those of you familiar with Etsy, you know it’s a cyber world of unimaginable, adorable, eclectic, unique and most importantly homemade items available for sale! From bud vases with romantic sayings and personalized “Just Married” signs to stationery and fashion accessories, you’ll find everything you need to add special one-of-a-kind embellishments to your next event. Below are some favorites I found the other while paroozing the site for an upcoming event!
 You have the personalized crystal champagne flutes so why not add these adorable dessert forks to your sweetheart table to enjoy that scrumptious work of art they call cake at Sheri’s Edible Designs? Click here to buy
 Kids or no kids at the wedding, these pinwheels can be enjoyed by guests of all ages! Stick them in an herb pot and let them double as a favor to your guests!
Click here to buy

How sweet are these bud vases?! They have romantic sayings decorating each vase, such as “Love is,” “Choose Joy,” “Share the World,” and “Forever Happiness” (pictured below). Use them anywhere you wish! You could easily hang them from shepherds hooks with elegant satin ribbon and big beautiful blooms draping over the edges of the glass! Then after the ceremony, easily move them to another location for guests to continue enjoying throughout the evening!
Click here to buy

 For an elegant alternative to the traditional bouquet, collect beautiful brooches either from your grandmother’s jewelry box or vintage stores and create a beautiful, non-perishable bouquet for that walk down the aisle!
Click here to buy
If you’ve ever been to Hilton Head Island you, like all other vacation-goers, probably have fond memories biking the miles upon miles of paths throughout the island. Many destination brides decide to get married on Hilton Head Island because they grew up vacationing here in the summertime and want those sweet memories to continue into their wedding day. Why not treat your guests with one of these glasses as a favor or even stock the bar to serve your specialty Hilton Head cocktail in them!
Click here to buy
 Having a photo booth at your next shin-dig? Add some character with these fun facial accessories! There are many variations available on Etsy, but this one was one of my favorites!
Click here to buy

Tuscan-themed wedding or housewarming party? Use these adorable cork stands as place cards or even food signs on the buffet!
 For an eco-friendly party, or just because, use these adorable succulent pots as favors, table numbers or even dessert bar signs!

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Embellished Events


{Inspire} {Create} {Embellish}
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Favorite Finds for Weddings and Special Occasions on Etsy.com
For those of you familiar with Etsy, you know it’s a cyber world of unimaginable, adorable, eclectic, unique and most importantly homemade items available for sale! From bud vases with romantic sayings and personalized “Just Married” signs to stationery and fashion accessories, you’ll find everything you need to add special one-of-a-kind embellishments to your next event. Below are some favorites I found the other while paroozing the site for an upcoming event!
 You have the personalized crystal champagne flutes so why not add these adorable dessert forks to your sweetheart table to enjoy that scrumptious work of art they call cake at Sheri’s Edible Designs? Click here to buy
 Kids or no kids at the wedding, these pinwheels can be enjoyed by guests of all ages! Stick them in an herb pot and let them double as a favor to your guests!
Click here to buy

How sweet are these bud vases?! They have romantic sayings decorating each vase, such as “Love is,” “Choose Joy,” “Share the World,” and “Forever Happiness” (pictured below). Use them anywhere you wish! You could easily hang them from shepherds hooks with elegant satin ribbon and big beautiful blooms draping over the edges of the glass! Then after the ceremony, easily move them to another location for guests to continue enjoying throughout the evening!
Click here to buy

 For an elegant alternative to the traditional bouquet, collect beautiful brooches either from your grandmother’s jewelry box or vintage stores and create a beautiful, non-perishable bouquet for that walk down the aisle!
Click here to buy
If you’ve ever been to Hilton Head Island you, like all other vacation-goers, probably have fond memories biking the miles upon miles of paths throughout the island. Many destination brides decide to get married on Hilton Head Island because they grew up vacationing here in the summertime and want those sweet memories to continue into their wedding day. Why not treat your guests with one of these glasses as a favor or even stock the bar to serve your specialty Hilton Head cocktail in them!
Click here to buy
 Having a photo booth at your next shin-dig? Add some character with these fun facial accessories! There are many variations available on Etsy, but this one was one of my favorites!
Click here to buy

Tuscan-themed wedding or housewarming party? Use these adorable cork stands as place cards or even food signs on the buffet!
 For an eco-friendly party, or just because, use these adorable succulent pots as favors, table numbers or even dessert bar signs!

——-
Embellished Events


{Inspire} {Create} {Embellish}
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Amanda + Josh {married 4.16.11}

What a special afternoon it was for Amanda and Josh as they exchanged vows and celebrated their marriage at the historic Rose Hill Mansion in Bluffton, SC. The ceremony, directed by Donna Jones of Creative Weddings, was picturesque! It took place on the front steps of the mansion, which echoes the look of a crisp white cathedral. After the ceremony, guests gathered inside for an elegant afternoon reception. A beautiful array of hand-passed and stationed hors d’oeuvres were prepared by Christine’s Catering while the joyous sounds of the piano played in the background by David Duckworth. The chance of rain was set for 40% on this day and while we often saw dark clouds in the distance, directly above remained a clear blue sky with sunshine that beamed its rays straight down on the mansion throughout their afternoon wedding. It was a picture-perfect day for a picture-perfect couple and as you’ll see throughout the images captured by Photography by Anne, love protrudes from Amanda and Josh in every way possible!

To see the entire gallery, click here
——-


Embellished Events
{Inspire} {Create} {Embellish}
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Tips for Tipping Your Vendors and Service Providers

Last week one of my clients asked about proper etiquette on tipping her vendors and service providers because she realizes the hard work and efforts they contribute to make her wedding day a success and wants them to be compensated fairly for it. While customs and amounts vary across the world, tipping is necessary as it is intended to supplement the low base salaries earned by many hard workers.

Photo by Steven Torres (via Brides.com)

Here are a few rules of thumb:

  • Vendors that provide a product (i.e. cake baker, caterer, florist) typically do not receive a tip, but vendors that provide a service (i.e. servers, bartenders, limo drivers,  musicians, bathroom attendants, doormen, coordinators, etc.) should be tipped.
  • Anyone that has gone above and beyond their call of duty, no matter if they’re providing a product or service should be acknowledged with a spontaneous tip.
  • Remember, tips are intended for workers who receive lower base salaries so vendors who are self-employed or the owner of a business do not generally receive a tip unless certain circumstances compel you to.

TIPPING AMOUNTS
*Be sure to double check your contracts and invoices to see if gratuities have already been included.

  • Hair & Makeup – 15% to 20% of the total bill
  • Ceremony Musicians – $25 to $50 per musician
  • Officiant – $50 if married by a judge or clerk; clergy member do not accept tips so instead, make a donation to their house of worship (typically $100)
  • Photographers/Videographers – $100 to $200 if they are part of a large agency, but not the owner
  • Servers – 15% of the total pretax food bill, unless it has already been included on your bill
  • Bartenders – 10% to 15% of the total pretax portion of the bar bill. *Be sure to request that the bartender does not set out a tip jar for guests to feel obligated to tip
  • Reception Musicians or DJ – $25 to $50 per person
  • Limousine Driver – 15% to 20% of the total bill. *You can request their gratuity be added on to the bill so you have it out of the way.
  • Valet Parking – $1 to $2 per car given to the supervisor at the beginning of the night and split among the staff. *Display a sign at the valet station that says gratuities have been taken care of. Instruct the valet attendants to refuse any tips offered by guests.
  • Restroom/Coat Attendants – $1 to $2 per guests
  • Delivery People – $5 to $20 per driver depending on the amount of heavy lifting, on-site setup and pick up that come with producing your wedding.
You’ll want to set aside an extra 15% of your budget for unexpected tipping. Many hotels and clubs include a service charge for their staff so before signing any vendor contracts, ask whether or not gratuity is included in the total cost.
Some service providers should be tipped before the event, which your wedding coordinator can take care of for you. They will also ensure your service providers do not set out a tip jar of any kind as to make your guests feel obligated to tip.
When preparing your tip envelopes, be sure to include a handwritten note of thanks and seal each envelope securely. If a tip is spontaneous and unexpected, the best way to disburse is to wait until the next day so you can prepare a handwritten note of thanks to include. Be sure to point out what they did that made you extra appreciative.
——-
blogsignature2
Embellished Events
{Inspire} {Create} {Embellish}
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com
Amanda + Josh {married 4.16.11}

What a special afternoon it was for Amanda and Josh as they exchanged vows and celebrated their marriage at the historic Rose Hill Mansion in Bluffton, SC. The ceremony, directed by Donna Jones of Creative Weddings, was picturesque! It took place on the front steps of the mansion, which echoes the look of a crisp white cathedral. After the ceremony, guests gathered inside for an elegant afternoon reception. A beautiful array of hand-passed and stationed hors d’oeuvres were prepared by Christine’s Catering while the joyous sounds of the piano played in the background by David Duckworth. The chance of rain was set for 40% on this day and while we often saw dark clouds in the distance, directly above remained a clear blue sky with sunshine that beamed its rays straight down on the mansion throughout their afternoon wedding. It was a picture-perfect day for a picture-perfect couple and as you’ll see throughout the images captured by Photography by Anne, love protrudes from Amanda and Josh in every way possible!

To see the entire gallery, click here
——-


Embellished Events
{Inspire} {Create} {Embellish}
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com

Tips for Tipping Your Vendors and Service Providers

Last week one of my clients asked about proper etiquette on tipping her vendors and service providers because she realizes the hard work and efforts they contribute to make her wedding day a success and wants them to be compensated fairly for it. While customs and amounts vary across the world, tipping is necessary as it is intended to supplement the low base salaries earned by many hard workers.

Photo by Steven Torres (via Brides.com)

Here are a few rules of thumb:

  • Vendors that provide a product (i.e. cake baker, caterer, florist) typically do not receive a tip, but vendors that provide a service (i.e. musician, limo drivers, bartenders) should be tipped.
  • Remember, tips are intended for workers who receive lower base salaries so vendors who are self-employed or the owner of a business do not generally receive a tip unless certain circumstances compel you to.
  • Anyone that has gone above and beyond their call of duty, no matter if they’re providing a product or service should be acknowledged with a spontaneous tip.

TIPPING AMOUNTS

  • Hair & Makeup – 15% to 20% of the total bill
  • Ceremony Musicians – $25 to $50 per musician
  • Officiant – $50 if married by a judge or clerk; clergy member do not accept tips so instead, make a donation to their house of worship (typically $100)
  • Photographers/Videographers – $100 to $200 if they are part of a large agency, but not the owner
  • Servers – 15% of the total pretax food bill
  • Bartenders – 10% to 15% of the total pretax portion of the bar bill. *Be sure to request that the bartender does not set out a tip jar for guests to feel obligated to tip
  • Reception Musicians or DJ – $25 to $50 per person
  • Limousine Driver – 15% to 20% of the total bill. *You can request their gratuity be added on to the bill so you have it out of the way.
  • Valet Parking – $1 to $2 per car given to the supervisor at the beginning of the night and split among the staff. *Display a sign at the valet station that says gratuities have been taken care of. Instruct the valet attendants to refuse any tips offered by guests.
  • Restroom/Coat Attendants – $1 to $2 per guests
  • Delivery People – $5 to $20 per driver depending on the amount of heavy lifting, on-site setup and pick up that come with producing your wedding.
You’ll want to set aside an extra 15% of your budget for unexpected tipping. Many hotels and clubs include a service charge for their staff so before signing any vendor contracts, ask whether or not gratuity is included in the total cost. 
Some service providers should be tipped before the event, which your wedding coordinator can take care of for you. They will also ensure your service providers do not set out a tip jar of any kind as to make your guests feel obligated to tip.
When preparing your tip envelopes, be sure to include a handwritten note of thanks and seal each envelope securely. If a tip is spontaneous and unexpected, the best way to disburse is to wait until the next day so you can prepare a handwritten note of thanks to include. Be sure to point out what they did that made you extra appreciative.

——-


Embellished Events
{Inspire} {Create} {Embellish}
Phone: (843) 757-7762
Email: Info@EmbellishedWeddings.com