Out of state wedding - what to charge?

[snowfalldesigns]

I have a feeling this has been covered before but in searching, I haven't found what I need to answer my question.
I've been asked to do a wedding out of state - 6 hours away from my home. I plan to drive because it takes two hours to get the nearest airport, 45 min-1 hour pre-flight, 1 1/2 hours flight time, plus I'd have to rent a car. So, I'd rather drive the 6 hours and take my husband and daughter along for the weekend.
Anyways, other than my mileage and hotel, because this is taking up three days of my time rather than the 1 day or 1/2 day like a typical wedding I do, how do you factor in additional charges? I tend see my rate charge as based on time away from my family rather than time working (not that I charge $150/hour while I'm driving to the location...). While my family may come with me (at no extra cost to the bride) it is still three days rather than one of my time...any thoughts? TIA

[UlpilotSC]

Originally Posted by snowfalldesigns

I have a feeling this has been covered before but in searching, I haven't found what I need to answer my question.
I've been asked to do a wedding out of state - 6 hours away from my home. I plan to drive because it takes two hours to get the nearest airport, 45 min-1 hour pre-flight, 1 1/2 hours flight time, plus I'd have to rent a car. So, I'd rather drive the 6 hours and take my husband and daughter along for the weekend.
Anyways, other than my mileage and hotel, because this is taking up three days of my time rather than the 1 day or 1/2 day like a typical wedding I do, how do you factor in additional charges? I tend see my rate charge as based on time away from my family rather than time working (not that I charge $150/hour while I'm driving to the location...). While my family may come with me (at no extra cost to the bride) it is still three days rather than one of my time...any thoughts? TIA

Well... Make sure you charge them mileage at least. I think 50 cents/mile is still the going rate. Google "mileage rate". Not sure about the rest. Just my 2 cents (which i guess would get me 1/25 mile).

[snowfalldesigns]

My mileage rate is $.50/mile. I've already got the mileage part down and would certainly charge that, I'm just wondering if there is something else I should charge since I will have to leave Friday for the wedding on Saturday and won't come back till Sunday afternoon - therefore it takes more time than if I can drive to the location, do the event, and drive back the same day.

Double/Triple your rate since it will take 3 times as long.

[oldwolf]

Don't forget about meals. You don't necessarily have to break down your costs but you should include everything in there that you would normally need to survive for those 3 days. Don't go overboard and start charging for spa treatments or anything hehe.

[Walkere]

Originally Posted by snowfalldesigns

I tend see my rate charge as based on time away from my family rather than time working (not that I charge $150/hour while I'm driving to the location...).

Why not...?

When you put it that way, it does sound a bit out there to charge a lot of money while you're driving. But, what would you be doing if you weren't driving? Perhaps you could have had an event or a session scheduled for one of the days that you'll be traveling, in which case you're foregoing $150/hour in order to drive to this wedding. Just because you're doing nothing but driving doesn't mean your time isn't valuable.

Spending an hour driving to a wedding is one thing, but the opportunity cost of you spending 2 extra days to work one wedding is pretty high. I think it's reasonable to consider you as working two extra half days (Friday night and Sunday morning), and charge your day rate in addition to mileage/expenses (hotels aren't always cheap).

You could also combine some of the estimates to make it look more appealing instead of itemizing everything (mileage, travel, hotel, etc), but if you travel 6 hours each way for nothing but $0.50/mile... I'd say you're on the losing end of that bargain.

- Brian

[snowfalldesigns]

Thanks for the thoughts...I ended up adding the mileage, hotel estimate, and then an additional $500 to my package prices (without breaking it down for her) and she came back to say they couldn't afford it...didn't really bother me - as someone who tends to dread things that are going to take up more than one day of my weekend and require that much planning, I'm kind of relieved!

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by UlpilotSC

Well... Make sure you charge them mileage at least. I think 50 cents/mile is still the going rate. Google "mileage rate". Not sure about the rest. Just my 2 cents (which i guess would get me 1/25 mile).

IRS just raised it to $0.555/mile

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/...240903,00.html