In today’s hive:
- Barrie Lynn has a specific dress style in mind for her September 22nd wedding. Should she just try to find something close to what she wants, or should she have one made for her (and will she have enough time)?
- lilikoi is confused about how the postal rate increase affects the cost of mailing her invitations (they’re square, and between 1 and 2 oz.). Does anyone know if the $0.17 surcharge still applies?
- flip flop girl is having a destination wedding and a wedding planner to coordinate the entire event (as well as deal with all the vendors). So, since she doesn’t really have a personal relationship with these vendors, is she still expected to tip them?
- helene is curious about the proper timing of the cake-cutting ceremony. Should it be immediately after dinner? Or should it be nearer to the end of the reception, to signal guests that it’s almost time to leave?
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2. I’d just go to the post office with an example of what you want to mail…. and oops the previous poster said that!
flip flop girl, you should tip all vendors excluding vendors who own their business…give these people gifts instead. gratuity may be included in some cases so check your contracts.
question: Just read an article on the knot about reception timelines, and they suggest cutting the cake an hour before the conclusion of the reception, as it signals that it’s almost time to leave. I guess I never thought about things this way - is this standard? I had in my head that cake is dessert and so would be cut soon after dinner.
lilikoi-
You should go have them mailed, but from what I understand (and found on the usps website) the charge for 1 oz or less goes up, but the charge for each additional ounce goes down. And you don’t have to pay for square unless it is an ounce or less. So final verdict is $0.58 for 2 oz or less.
I meant you should go have them weighed! D’oh!
lilikoi- square envelopes have always cost more then the standard one oz rate, so my guess is that yes, they will be more. My understanding (and I have done the research) is that postage will be .41 and every additional oz will be .17 making the cost/enveloped .58 (pending it is only a one oz invite, the cost would be an additional .17 if it’s more then that).
For all the rest of you: The forever stamps are now for sale at .41 each. They (in my mind) are perfect for a wedding invite as they have a pretty liberty bell picture and the word “forever” if your wedding is in 2008 I would recommend buying up now, since postage rates are up for another raise after the first of the year….yikes! (Up to .45)
Barrie_Lynn-
I would recommend getting in to a few specialty places in your area, finding something similar and having alterations made to it to make it what you want will probably be significantly less expensive then having someone custom design a dress for you. Plus, September isn’t that far off…designing and creating a dress from scratch could easily keep you pulling your hair out from now til then, and I’m sure you don’t want to be a bald bride! See what you can find…a lot of placces add straps, or change them, can add detailed beading/lace or a sash for very reasonable costs…good luck!
Flipflop Girl - Not really an answer on tipping for destination weddings, but my photographer is offering a GREAT package on destination weddings… click on his blog.
We love his work, and out of all vendors, I’m most anticipating working with him!
I’m not sure if this site has been posted before but I found Tiny Prints has some really cute personalized labels — most are for moms-to-be but some prints would work as favor tags or invite return addresses.
Do you tip the makeup artist and hairdresser if they come to your house? I assume that since they’re coming to you, they pocket the fee and the salon doesn’t get anything.
jayma-
as a cosmetologist, it’s always good to tip. especially if they come to your house even though the salon wont make any profit from the service. but remember, only tip according to your approval of the service. services prices are a fixed number, but tips show gratitude and are a sign of appreciation 
hope this helps
Helene-Although I am not sure about the proper timing, we have scheduled the cake cutting/ dessert 1 hr.-1 1/2hrs. after dinner. We figured people would be too full to have dessert right after, and I would hate to have a bunch left over; since we will be doing other desserts with our cake as well.
Question for the hive! I’m trying to find inexpensive beer coozies (koozies? cozies?) to personalize and include in our OOT bags. Does anyone have a favorite site for these? I’ve Googled, but want to find a reputable vendor. Thanks!
flip flop girl - depending on where your destination wedding is being held, gratuities may very well be included. My wedding is in Costa Rica and no matter how big the party, tip is always included at a restaurant. Not to say that we don’t often go over that amount to show gratitude. Bottom line, ask your wedding coordinator if he/she’s from there or ask him/her to do the research for you.
thanks for the tips, ladies =)
i will talk to my coordinator to find out which vendors have tip included in the pricing!
Hi! I need to get candles and voties for my reception. Do they sell them at downtown LA? If so, any store to recommend? Also, I also need to look for jewelries for the bride and the bridal party, flowergirl dress, ringbearer’s suit and etc. Which store do you recommend? Thank you in advance!!!
Beehive
Feature Launched: Aug 31, 2006
About: A forum for readers to post questions and get feedback from the hive, aka the weddingbee community.
lilikoi: I am about to mail my invites and went to the post office. Usually for a larger square it’s .63, but that will probably go up after May 14th when they change the postage rate. Best bet is to go to the postoffice and get it weighed and ask them! Good luck!