Who Gets What? Our Tips for Tipping Your Vendors

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Venue: The Palmetto Club & FishHawk Ranch | Photography: Creative FX Studios

Weddings are expensive. We get it. With the cost of the “little things” quickly adding up, you might think that tipping your vendors will impact your budget too much. Although tipping is never expected, it is a great way to show gratitude to the people who have been helping you along the way. Leading up to your wedding, your vendors are spending countless hours to ensure that everything goes smoothly, so setting aside additional “thank you” funds is a great way to show appreciation.

Decor/Rental Company

Although you’re already paying a delivery fee, it’s likely that cost is going towards insurance and the fueling of the truck. Depending on the amount of labor involved, it is nice to give each of the workers some additional money to thank them for setting everything up.

Tipping Protocol: Recommended

How much? $20.00 – $30.00 per person

Planner/Coordinator

This person has been with you since day one. They’ve likely been available to you at all hours and have dedicated time to not only you, but all of your other vendors to ensure that the setup goes without any hiccups.

Tipping Protocol: Recommended

How much? 10 – 20 percent

Director of Sales

The venue’s DOS is the one who shows off the space before you even sign a contract. Once you’ve placed a deposit, they are with you during a lot of the planning process (e.g. menu selection and tastings). During your wedding day they are there before the ceremony starts and well on through most of the reception. Due to the long and uncertain hours, it is definitely nice to give them some form of appreciation.

Tipping Protocol: Optional

How much? $100.00 – $150.00

Photographer/Videographer

The service of a photographer and a videographer is to provide you with keepsakes to look back on. Although it’s never expected to give them more than their standard rate, it is a great way to show gratitude for the work that they’ve put in.

Tipping Protocol: Optional

How much? $50.00 – $75.00 per person

Hairstylist and Makeup Artist

Tipping is definitely expected in this field because the artists are likely contracted out from another company to provide a service to you. Just like a hair salon, you can anticipate tipping between 15 to 25 percent (and maybe a little extra if they did a phenomenal job).

Tipping Protocol: Recommended

How much? 15 – 25 percent

At the end of the day, any form of gratuity is greatly appreciated from all vendors. It’s a great way to say thank you to all of the work that they’ve done and show appreciation for their services.

Hilton Tampa Downtown Wedding – Lauren & Shane

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Lauren and Shane met in Graduate School while Shane was in his second year of Medical School and Lauren had just started pursuing her education to become a Physician Assistant. They were first introduced by Lauren’s sister, who was also in Shane’s class, but didn’t reconnect until a few months later when Shane became a Teacher’s Assistant for Lauren’s Physiology exam. After offering to help her study for one of her exams (which she ended up not getting the best grade in – haha) they decided to go on their first date.

After a few years of dating Shane decided to pop the question during a family and friends trip to Park City, UT. Lauren was completely unaware that this was going to happen and packed absolutely no makeup and almost left the house for dinner with two wet braids.

While planning their modern and elegant themed wedding the couple’s biggest focus was to make sure that everything came together smoothly and with as little stress as possible. They both originally decided to get married at the Hilton Tampa Downtown due to its occupancy size, but it later became a huge convenience factor since all of their guests were able to stay on site.

Looking back on her wedding day, Lauren said she is SO THANKFUL that she hired Event Design to help her with her decor items. Between the gold chiavari chairs, drapery, chargers, and a high gloss white dance floor (which gives off a similar vibe to a vinyl wrap) the Hilton’s ballroom was completely transformed. Without these items, Lauren believes that her wedding reception would have looked like a typical conference hall but due to these enhancements the couple are still receiving compliments months after their special day!

Venue: Hilton Tampa Downtown | Photography: Katie Hauburger Photography | Drapery, Chairs, Dance Floor, and Chargers: Event Design | Coordinator: Lemon Drops | Transportation: L3 Limo | Cake: Publix | DJ: Tampa Bay DJ Company | Florist: Lemon Drops | Hair & Makeup: Femme Akoi Beauty Studio | Videography: MargoZ Production

Our Tips for the Best Wedding Day Accessories

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Photography: Matlock & Kelly

Every bride deserves to feel like a queen on her wedding day. Once you’ve found the perfect dress, you can add accessories to finalize your entire look. When shopping for your complimentary pieces, consider the following.

Shoes

When deciding on shoes make sure to pick something that you are comfortable in. If you’ve never walked in heels before, we wouldn’t recommend trying them out for the first time as you walk down the aisle. Instead, choose a pair that you can see yourself in throughout the entire night!

Embrace Your Every Day Style

You should feel like a princess on your wedding day but that doesn’t mean you have to dress like one (unless that’s your thing). Choose a dress that compliments your style and wear something you couldn’t envision yourself in.

Don’t Overdo It

Similarly, don’t get too adventurous when it comes to jewelry. Instead, choose something that compliments your dress rather than overpowering it. If you’re wearing a gown covered in rhinestones then it might be best to keep your accessories simple. If you’re wearing something with less bling, feel free to incorporate more statement pieces into your attire.

Consider Your Venue

If your wedding venue is outdoors and you are getting married in the winter you should probably consider incorporating a shawl into your outfit. If your ceremony is on a sandy beach, 9 inch stilettos may not be the best thing to wear either.

Earrings

Consider your hairstyle before selecting your earrings. If you plan on wearing it down, then incorporating studs would be a great way to finish off your attire. If you are thinking about having an updo then you can compliment the look with longer, dangly pieces.

What’s the biggest take away from this? Wearing something that you are comfortable in and can last throughout the entire night. Remember that trends come and go and just because all the other brides are wearing something doesn’t mean that you have to as well!

Be Our Guest! But Don’t Bring One. 3 Tactful Ways to (not) Include Plus Ones or Little Ones

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Photography: Matlock and Kelly Photography | Floral: Event Design | Stationary: Jerry and Julep

Let’s face it, weddings are always going to be more expensive than what you originally planned. With all of the big (and little) things eating away at your budget limiting your guest count is a great way to help cut costs. Although breaking this news to loved ones can seem intimidating, we’ve explained the three most heartfelt ways to do so.

Printed Note

Including an additional note in your wedding invitation is the easiest way to have it formally brought to your guest’s attention. Simple sayings like “we’ve always dreamed of a close, intimate wedding. For this reason, we ask that you do not bring a plus one” or “we are unable to accommodate plus ones at our wedding” will prevent the invitee from questioning whether they’re allowed to or not and hopefully prevent them from asking to do so on a later date.

Address the Wedding Invitation

When creating the wedding invitation, make sure to state the specific person that it’s meant for on the address line. If you are allowing them to bring a guest, include the guest’s name as well or simply state “plus one guest”.

Limit the Number on the Response Card

To avoid any confusion, it doesn’t hurt to fill in the invitee’s name and “number of guests” on their RSVP card. If you write this information in yourself it will prevent them from having the opportunity to invite another person without okaying it with you a head of time.

Navigating these emotional waters can seem a little tricky at first but wanting to limit your guest count is completely understandable. If you include a printed note, address the invitation correctly, or fill in the response card yourself you should be able to avoid the case of uncertainty. If all else fails, have an open and honest conversation with your invitee!

Isla del Sol Wedding – Sara & Carson

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After graduating from nursing school, Sara decided to treat herself to a new car. Upon arriving to the dealership, she was greeted by a charming salesman named Carson and instantly had a connection. After dating for 5 years, Carson decided to pop the question at a friend’s boutique while Sara modeled their new inventory. Once she chose her favorite dress, she went outside and was surprised to find Carson standing in front of a beautiful archway with a photographer and a recently snow covered ground.

When planning their wedding, the couple knew that they wanted to get out of Oklahoma’s cold weather and exchange vows somewhere warmer (and hopefully more tropical). After looking at countless venues, the two decided on Isla del Sol because it immediately checked all of their boxes.

Sara and Carson decided to hold their ceremony on Isla Del Sol’s private beach right before sunset. Although the area was already beautiful, Event Design enhanced the setting even more by adding drapery to the gazebo and chairs along with two massive flower arrangements comprised of their wedding colors – varying shades of pink, ivory, and white!

When deciding on the decor for the reception space, the couple wanted to make sure to compliment the already present deep hues of Isla Del Sol’s ballroom. They chose gold chiavari chairs and chargers for their accent piece which blended perfectly with the venue’s three brass chandeliers. Event Design accented the center lighting fixture with ceiling drapery which helped create the perfect first dance photograph.

Flowers were a really big necessity for Sara and Carson’s decor. Along with the ceremony arrangements (which was later reused on their sweetheart table), the two decided on mixing up the centerpieces by incorporating both tall and low ones on the tables. Event Design also created a dramatic and cascading bouquet for Sara while providing smaller round arrangements for her bridesmaids.

When it comes to planning a wedding, Sara wanted to make sure it was as stress free as possible. We asked her what her biggest advice to newly engaged couples is and she responded by saying “to invest into companies, like Even Design, that does absolutely everything on the day of! Event Design helped me plan my dream wedding because they took care of ALL the decor and flowers! Other vendors came up to me during hair and makeup time and commented on how impressive the decor was turning out! Event Design did all the ceremony and reception set up and breakdown. It truly was a beautiful and stress free day!”

Venue: Isla Del Sol | Photography: Lifelong Photography Studio | Decor & Florals: Event Design | Planner: Kandace McElroy Events | Videography: J&S Media | Cake: Kristen Marie Cakes | DJ: Grant Hemond | Hair & Makeup: Jennifer Beauty & Co

Which Bouquet Style is Right for You?

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One of the most meaningful flower arrangements to a bride on her wedding day is her bouquet. The style that she chooses has the opportunity to significantly enhance her dress or take away from her ensemble completely. You may be thinking “oh I’ll just find something on Pinterest” but once you actually start surfing the web, you soon realize that the design possibilities are endless. With hundreds to choose from, we’ve made a list of some of our favorite ones and what wedding style pairs best with them!

Cascading

Venue: Sandpearl Resort | Photography: Edwin Colon Photography

Cascading bouquets often include stems of greenery to create a “waterfall” effect as it falls down and disguises the bride’s hands. This dramatic arrangement is often used as a statement piece and is best seen paired with simple gowns. If you do plan on wearing an elaborate wedding dress, we recommend steering away from this style which may overpower the design and create a cluttered look.

Round

Photography: K&K Photography

Round bouquets often include only one type of flower and avoids the use of greenery to create a simple and symmetrical look. This style is perfect for timeless styled weddings that are going for more of a traditional and classic look. It’s best to avoid this design if you plan on having specific themed wedding such as boho or extremely modern.

Posy

Photography: Darin Crofton Photography

Posy bouquets are extremely similar to round bouquets but on a much smaller scale. The goal of this smaller design is to be able to comfortably hold it in one hand as opposed to the traditional round style which requires two. This style of arrangement is perfect for petite brides or ones with plan on wearing more of a dramatic gown.

Hand-Tied

Venue: Davis Island Garden Club

Hand-tied bouquets include a number of different styles of flowers and greenery and is often tied with a ribbon (as opposed to wire like more precise arrangements). The loose design of this bouquet makes the flowers appear like they were freshly picked that morning. The style of this arrangement makes it perfect to be used in an outdoor boho or garden themed wedding.

Our Favorite Grand Exit Getaways

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After toasts have been said and memories have been made it’s time to conclude your wedding day. Your big exit is one of the few things that all of your guests are able to be included in at the same time. In recent years, couples have customized their grand finale to make it catered toward them and just as impressive as the rest of the day. Here’s a list of some of our favorite ideas that are sure to wow your guests during your final goodbye!

LED Glow Sticks

Venue: Tropical Venue Tampa | Photography: JCanelas Photography

LED glow sticks are extremely versatile for any celebration. Not only can you customize them to make great wedding favors, they are also perfect to use for venues who don’t allow open flames!

Fireworks

Photography: Darin Crofton Photography

Fireworks are one of the most dramatic grand exits to pull off. Instead of worrying about all of your guests lining up and having a send off favor, you are able to light up the entire sky while creating a memorable show!

Bubbles

Venue: Tampa Marriott Water Street | Photography: Corey Conroy Photography

Bubbles are great to use if you’re looking for an easy clean up afterwards. Unlike confetti, bubbles will pop and dissolve in the air preventing any need to pick up leftover pieces at the end of the celebration. Another bonus of using these is that the light reflecting off of the suds create an awesome photograph for both day and nighttime celebrations!

Balloons

Venue: Innisbrook | Photography: Sunglow Photography

Although balloons aren’t as common, their inclusion can add a unique look in the grand exit photos.

Sparklers

Venue: The Gasparilla Inn & Club | Photography: Concept Photography

An oldie but a goodie! Sparklers will always be considered one of the most traditional send offs. While this classic exit may seem overdone, it is a great way to bring smiles to all of your guests faces and memories to last!

3 Reasons to Hire a Videographer

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Venue: The Vinoy | Photography: Salvador Robles Photography

When planning your wedding you and your fiancé are going to have an ideal budget that you want to stay within. You two are going to discuss the absolute necessities numerous times along the way. While we agree that there are some things that can be easily cut, here’s a list of the three reasons why we don’t think a videographer should be one of them!

Capture Words and Moments That Photographs Can’t

Images are great for just that, capturing still life moments. There’s so many sentimental occasions in weddings that photographs aren’t able to accentuate such as recitting your vows, hearing the toasts from your parents, and your first dance as husband and wife. Meaningful times like these captured with audio give you the opportunity to look back and feel the raw emotions that you felt on that vary day.

Opportunity to See Missed Moments

During your wedding day you are likely to run into circumstances where two things happen at once. There will be precious moments that you and your significant other will miss , but that’s the benefit to hiring a videographer. It gives you the opportunity to soak in every single thing that you are physically present for, but allows you to look back at the ones that you weren’t!

Ability to Share Your Wedding With Loved Ones

Unfortunately there is going to be a loved one who isn’t able to attend your wedding. Whether it being a relative who lives out of the country or a grandparent in the hospital – having a video copy of all of the significant moments of your wedding day is a great way to look back on it with the people who weren’t able to be there.

The Sandpearl Resort Wedding – Melissa & Kevin

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Melissa and Kevin are some of the bubbliest and most positive couples that every vendor dreams of working with. Their love story is special including them meeting at a young age and later became engaged at their favorite place, Disney! The couple originally planned on having an intimate wedding at a Disney resort the following year, but due to scheduling errors their dream location fell through. Although many would feel crushed, the two decided to make the most of this situation and have their wedding at the next best location, The Sandpearl!

Choosing the Resort was a relatively mindless decision. Even though it was close to their families and friends, the modern beach styled atmosphere made the attendees feel like they were on a tropical vacation. Melissa and Kevin dreamed of an outdoor ceremony so they could walk down the infamous stairs only to be greeted by loved ones in front of the hotel’s waterfall. Unfortunately, days before the wedding Florida experienced its first cold front of the year (we’re talking in the 40’s). Although this was unexpected, the couple didn’t change their minds and decided to bundle up and have their ceremony on the lawn anyways.

Since their dreams of a wedding at Disney didn’t happen, the couple decided to bring Walt to them. Event Design created single rose centerpieces inside hurricane vases to resemble Beauty and the Beast and even “hid” the classic Mickey Mouse ears inside Melissa’s bouquet. To add the final touches to the Ballroom, Event Design used navy linen, silver chiavari chairs, and drapery to create the traditional and timeless look that we all know and love from any Disney experience.

Decor and Florals: Event Design | Photography: Edwin Colon Photography | Venue: Sandpearl Resort | Coordination: Special Moments Event Planning

5 Things to Consider Before Planning an Outdoor Wedding

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Venue: Davis Island Garden Club

One of the biggest luxuries of living in Florida is being able to have a wedding at any time of the year. Besides the occasional hurricane scare, you will never have to worry about roads being closed or flights being canceled due to snow storms. Although we have the perks of always being in wedding season, there are some things to consider if you envision on having your’s outdoors!

Venue: Belleview Inn | Photography: Arianna J Photography

Weather

Let’s face it, Florida’s weather can be pretty unpredictable. One day it might be in the 90’s and outrageously hot and the next it can be in the 50’s and raining. We always encourage couples to have a backup plan due to this uncertainty for the “just in case” circumstances. One of the most common options is a tent to provide shade (and possibly AC if you decide to go this route) but if you plan on holding your wedding at an outdoor venue the facility should be able to provide you with an additional solution if you do end up getting bad weather.

Photography: Darin Crofton Photography

Electricity

Electricity is commonly overlooked because most couples assume that venues offer it. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case so when searching for wedding locations make sure you ask! In the off chance that they don’t have power on-site, you will need to bring in a generator to accommodate your ceremony and reception needs. Bonus Tip: Make sure to tell the director of sales at any location what you plan on needing power for because some events require more than others!

Venue: Tropical Venue Tampa | Photography: JCanelas

Restrooms

If you plan on having a full on outdoor wedding with no structured building on site you will need to provide your guests with restrooms. You might be thinking “there’s no way that I’m going to be having a port-a-potty at my wedding” which we TOTALLY understand. Luckily for you, luxury restroom trailers now exist and in all honestly some of them are nicer than a venue’s facility anyway!

Venue: Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club | Photography: Heather Lauren Photography

Permits

If you plan on holding your wedding in a public area (e.g. a park or beach) it is likely that you will need to pull a permit. This requirement can vary depending on what county you are in but we always recommend for couples to reach out to the local permitting department ahead of time to make sure. If you don’t get one in an area that requires one, there is a possibility that your wedding will be stopped short and you’ll be charged a major fee.

Venue: Sandpearl Resort | Photography: Edwin Colon Photography

Walkability

Most venues provide a separate location for ceremonies and receptions. If this is the case, take into consideration the walkability from one place to the other. Long distances on grass or uneven grounds can be difficult for any guest, especially older ones. If your venue does require a bit of a hike think about other transportation options for the less stable guests such as valet, trains, or even golf carts!