As you may already know this spring, wedding colors are bold and beautiful.  I would have never pictured these colors together, but they just bring out the best hues in each other.  When looking through these colors, I just couldn’t find a color pallet that I didn’t like.  I would say that these colors fit the romantic spring feel that you would look for in a beautiful spring wedding.

I had one of the designers here at Basic Invite take Pantone’s color trend and make it a little easier to look at. I think you can get a better feel for the color, and find the colors to suit you.

I also asked around and found this site where you can take your color and find complementary colors.  I found it to be very helpful and kind of fun.  So if you are unsure of your color choice  and want to look at all the colors that can complement it, check it out: http://kuler.adobe.com/#create/fromacolor .  Remember to keep hold of the CMYK or the Pantone number.  When printing colors for invitations, this will help your print vendor get the most accurate color on your invitations.

When searching through a million sites for the most popular love/wedding songs, this site seemed to have the best list for my tastes.  They broke it down into 4 categories and for me, it was easy to locate songs that I love.  Now the short fall is that these are all love songs, and there is not a list of most played DJ songs.  If you know what I mean.  If you are hiring a DJ, they will have a list of songs that you can look through and choose to have them play.  I hope this list helps choosing that one special song that much easier.

http://mag.weddingcentral.com.au/music/songs/love-songs.htm

I just wanted to break it down easily for you.  Here is a list of who will pay for what.

BRIDE (and Family):
Grooms Ring
Gift for Groom
Gifts for Brides Attendants
Invitations
Announcements
Postage
Wedding Stationery
Wedding Dress & Accessories
Dresses for Brides Attendants
Attire for Bride’s Family
Flowers and Decor for Ceremony and Reception
Flowers for Bride’s Attendants
Ceremony Location Fee
Reception Location Fee
Food & Drink for Ceremony and Reception
Photographer and/or Videographer
Entertainment for the Ceremony and Reception
Limousine/Transportation Rentals
Any other expenses for Ceremony or Reception
Engagement Photos
Engagement Party
Wedding Cake
Accommodations for Bride’s Attendants (out-of-town)

GROOM (and Family):
Bride’s Engagement & Wedding Ring
Gift for Bride
Gifts for Groom’s Attendants
Groom’s Tuxedo & Accessories
Attire for Groom’s Family
Boutonnieres for Groom, Fathers, and Grandfathers
Boutonnieres for Groom’s Attendants
Corsages for Mothers and Grandmothers
Brides Bouquet and Flowers
Officiant’s Fee
Marriage License Fee
Rehearsal Dinner
Honeymoon
Accommodations for Groom’s Attendants (out-of-town)

ATTENDANTS:
Attire
Bridal Shower
Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
Transportation/Travel expenses

These are all based on traditions and will need to be changed for any particular needs or circumstances.

In most of the reading that I have done I have found that it is not unusual to give gratuity, if it is not already included. I was mored surprised by the actual percent that was given.  Most couples give a 15% – 20% percent gratuity if they feel like they have done an exceptional job.  This may be hard to handle when you are diving deep into saving accounts. Keep in mind though, this is not to all vendors, and unless there is a contract stating other wise you are not obligated to due so.  But I wanted to take this info and compile into a list so that you could see what is customary for each vendor.

15%-20%
Caterer/Banquet Manager (usually included in contract)
WaitStaff (Usually included in contract)
Bartender (If the bartender is not accepting tips, an additional 10% is suggested)
Limousine Drivers
DJ’s
Photographer/Videographers
Florist
Bakers
Wedding Planners/Coordinators

Well you would think that covers everyone right?  Well wrong.  Here’s a list of vendors that you would pay per guest or per service.

Bands: $25.00 per band member
Restroom and Coat Check Personnel: $0.50-$1.00 per guest
Parking Attendants: $1.00-$2.00 per car
Officiant: $75.00-$100.00 (Please remember that Civil Officiants receive a flat fee and are usually not allowed to accept                     gratuities)
Ceremony Staff: Organists/Musicians $35.00-$75.00
Altar boys, Sextons, etc $5.00-$25.00

Again, please keep in mind that you are not obligated to give a gratuity unless other wise stated in a contract.