Help, my daughter's wedding was this past Saturday... The Wednesday afternoon before the wedding the lady that was to serve called and cancelled. Said she had looked at her calendar wrong and she was going to be out of town. After trying several other avenues which all led nowhere I finally asked one of my friends if she could help out. SHE SAID YES, saved the day. She brought her daughter and one of her friends. She had heat up some foods and place them on trays. She cut the cake and placed it on plates as well. I want to pay her but not sure what I should offer, I do not want to insult her because she really stepped up and did a great job at the drop of a dime. Any idea how much I should pay her. 
Hi ttb,
Did this person do the same quality service as the one that was suppose to serve?, if so, then I would pay her the same amount that you would have paid the other person.
On the other hand, if she was not as good, then I would do 50% of what you would have normally paid.
Hope this is a help.
So she supplied the food and cut the cake?
Debbie
The lady that was to serve was going to do it for free. She was a friend of the family....So I do not even know an amount to work with. Any ideas? My family and I supplied all the food. All the food was cooked, some needed to be heated and placed on trays.. The night was hectic since my friend did not even know what was to go on what tray and she helped clean everything up afterwards.
How about paying by the hour and if that seems to low, then double that amount.
This may not help you, but at church when we have a reception we always take turns serving, cleaning, cooking. It's just something we do to help our friends. I wouldn't think of charging a friend to do that. She probably doesn't expect to get paid either! I think it would be nice to get her a gift certificate for dinner, or maybe a to a day spa for a massage or pedicure.
Good idea peacockplace...I would love to have a free day @ a spa...unless she wants money so that she can pay her helpers.
I'm with peacock place on this one. When I got married 3 years ago, we had several friends and family members help out. We couldn't afford to pay everyone, but to show our appreciation, we bought them gift cards to a local restaurant. The gift cards were $50 each.
That way you let her know that you appreciate her, yet you might feel a little cheap handing her a $50 check, but handing her a gift card for the same amount is a nice gift....in my opinion!
Good friends are so valuable to us, how can you ever truly repay them?!?!
well what I would do is....
since she is a really good friend, I think I may know her financial being and her personal being to the point where I would ask myself which she would prefer.... a day at the spa (very good idea) or money....if I thought money would be better for her then I would offer her at least half of what I would have paid the other person.... if she is like any other family friend I know she may not even take it but it would be the thought that she would appreciate.... I personally wouldnt use the spa thing..thats just me, and boy do I hear about it, but I am sure your friend would be absolutely flabbergasted over it and be totally grateful.... Sorry I didnt help much.... I sure am glad its not me having to make this decision.....my hats off to you sweetie! 
A personalized thankyou card with $50 or a couple of giftcards.
A personalized thankyou card with $50 or a couple of giftcards.
THAT sounds great too!!!!
I like the idea of a gift card for wherever she like to shop or a gift card for supper....but we can't forget about the helpers! Depending on the age of the helpers I would also give them gift cards (if their older) if they're young, I would give them cash, for some reason little kids eyes light up when you give them cash you can almost see their minds working on where they are going to spend it! by little I'm thinking (10-13). Is that age range considered little? I guess I'm just getting old 
I know you already said what you were going to do, but for the gift cards, I would give her three American Express or Visa gift cards. That way she has one for herself and one for each daughter (you said two, right). I also know things are more expensive in NJ, but I would make them $75 each. Just my thoughts.
Glad everything turned out. Like you said ... your friend really "saved the day".
Why not just ask her how the best way to repay her is. I'm sure she'll probably say that she doesn't want anything but if you tell her how wonderful she was and how appreciated she was she'll probably tell you if there's something she needs. Just tell her that if she says nothing you'll be forced to pick something out yourself and you really don't want that. And either way she's gonna get something in return for her help!!
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