Читать книгу Planning A Wedding For Dummies - Sarah Lizabeth Barker - Страница 47

There is a very important fee you should be aware of. Often, this fee goes unnoticed until the final bill. When you’re aware of it, the vendor may have whispered it or maybe said it in the middle of a cough. It’s what I call the “Service ++ Fee.” Often, you won’t know what the “++” is. Is it 5% or 50%? Because we don’t know, it’s very important to talk with your vendors about it. Each state has different rules and regulations on food and alcohol tax. It’s important to find out what yours is in the location where you’re hosting your wedding.

These fees will sneak up so fast you won’t know what hit you. I once had a client who received an initial quote from her caterer with a teeny, tiny line at the very bottom that said, “Service Fees,” but that line was empty. Later, when she submitted her final guest count and received her final invoice, the bill went from $25,000 to almost $40,000. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I call a big difference!

I also had a client who had a friend read a scripture at their wedding. The friend saw a podium sitting over in the corner of the room and pulled the podium over so that she could place her reading in front of her. Well, after the wedding, the client got a final bill with a $250 service fee. When she inquired about this mysterious charge, the ceremony location said it was for the use of the podium. You know, the one that her friend moved over by herself? Now the client had to pay for a podium she didn’t even want.

Service fees are the “catchalls.” Often vendors don’t know how to categorize something, so they call it a service fee. Be aware of these fees so that you don’t get caught off guard and again wind up searching for magic money to appear. When you meet with your vendors, make sure to discuss these mystery fees. Request an invoice, not an estimate. An estimate is always changing, but an invoice is locked in.