DD1 and I am both in BSN/RNs in nursing (although I also have two graduate business degrees - SAHM for 18 years). Got work reassurance this week- one never knows after being out of the job market so long…all I can say is nursing in almost any setting is pretty demanding work…
DD1 just showed me her budget. Thankfully between what we provided, and their working and savings, they will have a nice wedding and no hanging debt after. Says there is 258 on the invite count. They have a 20 piece jazz band that will play for 3 hours – that is the one ‘splurge’, $2500. The lead tenor sax is a personal friend. They are excited about having that with their reception.
I am seeing about the table linens - DD1 has a friend that has some from her wedding that she just wants to get off of her hands (several churches in this area have the tables but not the table cloths). Then I can see what else we need to get - there is a great Restaurant Wholesale kind of store in my area, where I know about their washable/no iron table cloths that are reasonably priced (we have our own church supply of table cloths from there). We can let DD’s Church wedding coordinator have them for future weddings after DD’s wedding.
^ If she’ll have a receiving line, think about how to make 200+ work out. It seems the popular alternative is to ensure the couple goes to each table, to welcome guests, individually, and thank them for coming.
Finally can join this thread as a participant, not a spectator. While on vacation with DD and her BF, they became engaged in Europe. We are thrilled and it has been fun to share the trip; they are so excited.
I’ve got a lot to learn here as they plan their 2018 wedding. Already have gained much valuable info here. Thanks to all as we begin this process.
Will be going to San Francisco next week and looking up the state parks to see where flowers are in bloom. Came across a CA State Park website for wedding planning. Thought some may be interested: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23428
DD believes that there are a lot of ‘courtesy’ invitations and her actual count will be maybe 160. We will see. With their young friends, tell them to be sure to either say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and not just show up or say yes and not show up, or say no and show up.
I like a receiving line, but that is up to them. I do think during the 4 hours we have the church hall, they will have time to greet everyone/talk to everyone. They may be having some pictures done between wedding and reception.
We are paying $3500 for a five piece wedding band. 1 hour of accoustic guitar for the cocktail hour then reception for 6 hours which includes quiet music during dinner and then dancing with all 5 pieces.
Remember to be sure to have an understanding about whether these 20 band members (and photographer and others involved in the wedding) will eat, how that will work and seating, etc. it sounds like fun, but being surprised about 20 more meals is definitely a headache.
Himom brought up a good point. I think at most weddings the service people expect to be fed. I know sometimes the caterer will make a less expensive meal for the vendors.
$2500 is a great deal. Each musician isn’t walking away with much of a payday at that rate.
S and fiancé have not done any planning. They know the dates they want and the place but having booked it yet. It is driving my D crazy. I told her that it isn’t our wedding and they are the type of personality that if something isn’t available they will find something else. They are both similar in that vein which is good. They still have time since they are thinking Sept 2018.
My D on the other hand once she decides to get married the wedding will be planned very quickly. She just moved into a house she purchased with her BF. A wedding will happen at some point but not sure when. She is waiting for her B to get married first.
Yes, we fed ALL our service people at our wedding–a 7-course Chinese dinner. They added up. We just seated them where there was space at the various tables rather than all at one table with a less expensive menu.
Yep. This contract for our five piece band includes a meal, plus we need to provide water for them during the evening. And a room for them. No problem. Our venue charges 1/2 the plate cost for any outside vendors we use. So we will be paying for meals for the band plus two photographers. I am sure the 1/2 price cost is because they know these folks won’t be consuming a drop of liquor.
They will have their own table, and will have the same food selections as the other guests.
Since the photographers will be with us all day, they will also get other food…brunch food. And beverages, and fruit…whatever we select for the bridal party.
Our band happens to be local to our venue area…otherwise, we would also need to pay them mileage, and provide overnight lodging. Luckily…that’s not the case for us. Photographer is also local.
For your band, they will also specify the number of breaks they will take and for how long. In our case, the band has DJ equipment too,and during their breaks, quieter music will be played recorded.
Wow, that’s a great price for a 20 piece band. My S and FDIL gave up on the idea of a band because they were so expensive in our area. S has a friend who plays in Broadway pit orchestras and he’s helping put together a quartet for the ceremony, and the MOB found a classical guitarist who will be playing classical and jazz for the cocktail party. For the party, they decided on a DJ given the expense of bands they liked. Their goal is to have a kick-a** dance party where everyone is on the floor all night. Back to the coordinator conversation, the venue requires the couple to have a “day of” coordinator but does not provide one. They do provide a list of “preferred vendors.” Back when I got married, our very close friend whose husband (then boyfriend) was a groomsman acted in that capacity.
The breaks, with quieter music, are welcome, at some weddings. Partly, it can be because, even with recorded music, if kept a smidge lower, it’s a time when talking to other guests is a bit easier.
DD has the band contract. I know they will work everything out OK, as the one musician we have known his whole life (the parents are our closest and best neighbors for 25 years). I will ask DD specifics, but I am sure they are rotating out so there will be continuing music. I told her she will be feeding them, and that is also fine - one couple has wedding invites. Our dinner costs are not 7 course costs. It will definitely make the reception memorable. The band wants to break into more gigs in this city, so part of the gig is getting the word out on availability - it was formed at a major U in our state and probably some band members are still students.
My son, who is the master of short engagements, has made it official and announced the date- 7 weeks from now.
So second wedding for me in the course of year’s time, and par for the course for son in the rushed-wedding department. Bride-to-be is graduating med school & has been matched to a residency on the opposite coast. Son hopes to follow her there, but may have to delay his move for various reasons.