To tip, or not to tip?

Tipping, not a city in China!  The word TIPS is believed to be an acronym derived from the phrase To Insure Proper Service.  Why is it such a point of frustration and confusion?  Because there really is no standard when it comes to tipping vendors for weddings and other special events!  We all know that when you go out to a restaurant the standard tip is generally between 15-25% depending on the level of service you have received, but what about tipping catering staff, DJ's, and Bartenders? 

The best piece of advice is to ask ahead of time!  Your wedding day is stressful enough without worrying about taking care of gratuity, not to mention it can be very uncomfortable for both you and the staff.  They don’t want to ask for it, you don’t want to forget or look cheap, but you already have spent a good chunk of change and may be feeling a little light in the pocket already!  Many catering companies have already included the gratuity into their contract.  Maybe a DJ has as well.  This should be discussed during your initial consultation when the pressure is off.  A good caterer will guide you as to what is appropriate.  DJ's should do the same. 

Something that we see with the Bartending Service is that they are often hired by a catering company and are not included in the gratuity paid to the servers and kitchen staff!  You should inquire when paying for the catering service if they contract out the bar service.  You would be surprised at how may of them will hire an outside service, then dress them up like their own staff and you would never know the difference!  They don’t do it to be sneaky; it is generally just a matter of outsourcing the liability because they do not carry the proper insurance. 

However, the catering manager is often times the only one that knows that the Bartender is not really on the catering staff.  Also, they may be the only one that knows that the Bartender is NOT included in the gratuity split at the end of the event!  Again, the appropriate time to ask is before the day of the event. 

Usually arranging individual envelopes with cash gratuity prior to the wedding day is easiest.  You should then assign one of the groomsmen to be in charge of holding the envelopes and handing them out upon successful completion of the event.

Don't be afraid to pull a couple dollars out of the envelope if someone does a lousy job!  Same standards apply as if you were in a restaurant; if you are usually a great tipper but the service was sub par you should adjust accordingly.  If you are usually an average tipper, but the service was spectacular the only way to properly thank someone is by leaving a little extra!  And please do not punish the DJ or Bartender if the food service was not as good as expected, they had about as much to do with that as the florist did!  Hope this article helps.

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Fund Raising Decor!

Let's face it, planning a fundraiser is a tough one. On one hand your job is to raise some money but also, plan an exciting event. In there lies the hard part. How to plan a fun event that people will want to attend while not spending all the money you are hoping to donate for the cause.

That's where balloons come in!!  Balloons really give you a lot of "Bang" for the buck. Sorry for the pun but what other decor can really create the excitement of balloons? It's no secret that many organizations use balloons such as columns and arches for walk-a-thons and balloon trees and centerpieces for their large banquets.

The secret to fun, yet elegant balloon decor is to keep the colors simple but striking. Some of the most beautiful balloon work that I've ever done has been in interesting color combinations. Does your organization have a color theme? It's easy to work within those colors but add something unexpected for a bit of drama. Remember also that sometimes less is more. If you have lots of tables to decorate, think about doing balloons on every other table or just a few balloons on each. This gives the room a filled in look without spending all those hard earned funds.

Lastly, don't be shy about discussing your decorating budget with your balloon artist. Knowing your budget helps them to make suggestions that fit instead of ones that don't. Are you able to get some volunteers to help with the decor? That's a great way to work in partnership with the event decorator to keep costs down.

Not matter what you do, remember to have fun and considering getting help from the professionals, that way you can free yourself to do what you need to do - raise money!!

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Uplight Your Centerpiece Game

Discover how CHAUVET DJ Freedom Centerpiece elevates party decor with subtle lighting elegance.

https://youtu.be/TscMIP2oAio

General Fund Raiser Tips

Many companies will jump at the chance to sponsor a fundraiser.  Conduct some research on local companies, which will often donate food, supplies or money for fundraisers.   Companies may also donate other items to auction off for charity or to raise money for an organization.   Typical items may be movie passes, play tickets, gift certificates, electronics or professional services.
Set a goal to reach in terms of fundraising.  Plan for enough time to spread the word about the fundraising event.  Marketing strategies may include flyers, letters, ads and word of mouth.  Many media outlets regularly cover fundraising events for local charities and organizations.  Write out a letter or press release and make calls to increase the chances of attracting media attention.
Motivate volunteers with incentive prizes.  Ask volunteers to reach out to friends and family for help.

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Wide, even, bright

Creates warm, even washes
perfect for layering uplighting effects

https://youtu.be/TuBluZ8729c

General Retirement Party Tips

Retirement can be a bitter-sweet experience for many, as one faces the prospect of leaving behind career for the unknown.  Alleviate the retiree anxiety with a party to highlight his or her achievements. 
Invite friends and coworkers, as well as family.  Let each member leave a video message or make a toast to the retiree.  Jokes and gag gifts may often lighten the mood, so a roast can often be more appropriate than a formal event.  Don't limit the speeches to jokes; however, as heartfelt expressions of appreciation are most memorable.
Keep in mind the retiree's preferences and personality when planning party activities.  Shy guests of honor may prefer a dinner party, while others enjoy the spotlight.  
Display examples of the person's accomplishments as decorations, such as photos, trophies, certificates, etc.  Consider putting together a phot slideshow or video message from coworkers or friends.  Purchase a guest book for guests to write down notes and good luck wishes.

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General Bridal Shower Tips

The bridal shower is a special occassion for any bride, thus the bride's tastes and preferences should be incorporated into its planning.
Some brides prefer the traditional bridal shower, while others want to spice it up a little.  Ask questions: whom to invite, where, what to do, etc.  Once the guidelines have been set, beginning planning the unforgettable event. 
Stay on budget.  Usually the bride's parents pay for the shower or share the costs with the maid of honor.  Despite the budget, one can still plan a special day since  Activities for bridal showers run the gamut from afternoon tea to bowling to a day at the spa or even a weekend retreat. 
Entertainment should be appropriate for the formality of the event. If the bride would approve, consider gag gifts to lighten the mood. 
In some cases, party favors are expected. This usually depends on the circle of friends and how traditional the wedding will be.  The same goes for gift registry.  While some find it appropriate to list it on the invitations, others prefer word of mouth.  Remember, though, that when registering for gifts one should select gift options in a variety of price ranges.  After the shower, it is appropriate to send handwritten thank you notes.  
Consider hiring a photographer or ask a bridesmaid to take photos throughout to create special memories for the bride.  

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