What's Your Hidden Cost(S) So Far?

[cfinkenbine]

So far our hidden costs have been vendor fees. ($500 for photographer, $150 for hair/make up team, $105/hr for DJ.) Also, not that these are hidden fees…but I had NO idea how much a photographer and a DJ was going to cost. Way more than I anticipated!

[puravida2015]

I wish I even knew what my prices were. Resort isn't open yet and they have not provided a cost breakdown.

[linaco80]

@@puravida2015 check your vendors first and If you don't like them review the costs of bringing each vendor into the hotel prior to making any decision. We didn't look into vendors when choosing the resort, each vendor is $800 basically a fee to make you stay with the resort vendors.

@@cfinkenbine honestly to us it was kind of hidden because we didn't know and didn't research about the resort vendors. We booked and later looked info vendors, at the end we didn't like their vendors and bringing our own is $800 each (per day , per event). Now we are bringing photographer and DJ, so figured

Thanks! yeah I will ask them, it would be nice to save somehow.

 

I hate myself for continuously looking for ideas and better stuff... I get over excited and want to do so much more than I have the budget for. definitely need to take it easy and compromise as you said hehe!

This is any bride's issue. We get overly excited and the spending keeps on going. The less you know the better

I always tip at an AI, but not for every single drink, etc.    But with respect to the wedding I have been working on a list and numbers for what we want to do and think is appropriate.  Everyone is different so it's tough to just do what everyone else is!  Some people tip everyone, and some only tip the coordinator, photographer, etc. It's tough.

I am thinking the coordinator, the wait and bar staff, and the set up/tear down people.  Possibly the mariachi, but I am not sure yet.  I will also tip the photographer after we sit down and see the pictures together.  I will of course tip at the spa.

How much? have no idea!!!

 

I had my friends who have been to DW ask their friends who they tipped.  2 said just the WC, and the other just tipped the photographer!  That didn't get me far! ha!

 

 

If you are already paying 15-18% on a specific service, I personally wouldn't tip over and above that, unless someone was phenomenal. Seems unfair to have to tip twice.  Just my thoughts.

 

 

 

I am originally from South America. Average tipping there is 10% for dining in a restaurant only. No tipping is used (like in the US) for taxi, drinks at the bar, photographer, DJ, etc. basically the mentality is that the price covers all ( they don't expect and the culture is not tipping for those services)

Basically that means that if are North American you are used to tip and they expect that.

South Americans and Europeans or even people from the Eastern side (India etc) do not tip.

Usually in the US large groups events have the service charge included and it is disclosed in the bill.

 

I wont tip my photographer for sure. It's costing me a few thousands (enough money to have a tip covered)

I will no tip the wedding coordinator , I personally think that coordinating a wedding is what they do for a living

I MIGHT tip the DJ but NOT 10% because that would be almost $150

I will tip the servers but a small percentage, I know they don't get tips all the time from regular guest at the resorts (because it's all inclusive) also it can't forget I might end up with many servers and two events ... Oh boy I might just not tip at all lol

I might tip the hair dresser

 

I just feel like all is included and we paid for it and a tip might do a bit more, definitely no tipping any big percentages, I can't add in my budget $700 or more in tips

 

People in Mexico don't tip (my sister lives there) so I will follow the famous

"when in Rome ,do as the Romans"

[puravida2015]

Thanks @@linaco80. When I researched the other resorts I don't believe they were that high. But since mine is in a secluded area they very well could make it sky high. I'll probably let my TA negotiate some of that for me.

[linaco80]

Thanks @@linaco80. When I researched the other resorts I don't believe they were that high. But since mine is in a secluded area they very well could make it sky high. I'll probably let my TA negotiate some of that for me.

Your resort is un Costa Rica? When does it open?

[puravida2015]

@@linaco80 yes! It's in the far northwestern region close to Nicaragua. I only know of 1 other resort that's relatively close. Everything else is waaaaayyyyyy further south. It's opening Nov 1st. So I have time to let them work out the kinks (hopefully) before my date.

[calgarybride2015]

@@puravida2015 check your vendors first and If you don't like them review the costs of bringing each vendor into the hotel prior to making any decision. We didn't look into vendors when choosing the resort, each vendor is $800 basically a fee to make you stay with the resort vendors.

@@cfinkenbine honestly to us it was kind of hidden because we didn't know and didn't research about the resort vendors. We booked and later looked info vendors, at the end we didn't like their vendors and bringing our own is $800 each (per day , per event). Now we are bringing photographer and DJ, so figured

 

This is any bride's issue. We get overly excited and the spending keeps on going. The less you know the better

 

 

 

I am originally from South America. Average tipping there is 10% for dining in a restaurant only. No tipping is used (like in the US) for taxi, drinks at the bar, photographer, DJ, etc. basically the mentality is that the price covers all ( they don't expect and the culture is not tipping for those services)

Basically that means that if are North American you are used to tip and they expect that.

South Americans and Europeans or even people from the Eastern side (India etc) do not tip.

Usually in the US large groups events have the service charge included and it is disclosed in the bill.

 

I wont tip my photographer for sure. It's costing me a few thousands (enough money to have a tip covered)

I will no tip the wedding coordinator , I personally think that coordinating a wedding is what they do for a living

I MIGHT tip the DJ but NOT 10% because that would be almost $150

I will tip the servers but a small percentage, I know they don't get tips all the time from regular guest at the resorts (because it's all inclusive) also it can't forget I might end up with many servers and two events ... Oh boy I might just not tip at all lol

I might tip the hair dresser

 

I just feel like all is included and we paid for it and a tip might do a bit more, definitely no tipping any big percentages, I can't add in my budget $700 or more in tips

 

People in Mexico don't tip (my sister lives there) so I will follow the famous

"when in Rome ,do as the Romans"

It's tough and I totally agree with you. To be quite honest my original list was 'wedding coordinator and spa' but reading on here has had me thinking. Like I said I have no percentages in my mind but I doubt it will be a %. It will be more what I think is fair. As you said we are already paying thousands upon thousands but the sad part is those staff won't see any of it. It would be easier to say 'here's our tip spread amongst everyone' but I'm sure that is tricky too.

 

 

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Edited October 11, 2014 by calgarybride2015

[cfinkenbine]

@@linaco80 We also assumed we would be going with the resorts vendors …and then decided we weren't sure if we were happy with their vendors. So that is why we chose outside vendors too. I haven't even really thought about tipping yet…that will be ANOTHER hidden cost! lol

[chelseapaige37]

We have $500 budgeted for 2 weeks worth of tips. That's for wedding tips and resort tips. I have guesses to what we will tip everyone, but it depends on how it all goes.

 

 

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[calgarybride2015]

We have $500 budgeted for 2 weeks worth of tips. That's for wedding tips and resort tips. I have guesses to what we will tip everyone, but it depends on how it all goes.

 

 

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1 day shy of a month!!! woohoo!!!

 

What day do you fly out on?