You're planning your dream wedding and want to make sure you're tipping the right vendors. This guide will provide a tipping cheat sheet for each vendor, from the photographer to the servers, so you can show appreciation without going overboard. We'll explain typical tipping amounts and etiquette to help you budget for gratuities.
At a wedding, it's customary to tip service staff including caterers, waitstaff, bartenders, and others involved in food and beverage service. Additionally, you may tip the officiant, photographer, videographer, DJ or band, and transportation drivers. Specific tip amounts can vary.
As you navigate through your wedding planning, understanding whom to tip and how much is crucial. This guide will help you manage your gratuities with confidence.
You should consider the role and service level of each vendor when deciding on a tip. Here's what to bear in mind:
Here's a quick breakdown of tipping etiquette by vendor category:
Officiant: If they're affiliated with a religious institution, a donation of $50-$100 or more is customary.
Catering Staff: Typically, you'll tip 10 to 15 percent of the total bill divided among the staff, unless included in the contract.
Bartenders: Aim for 10 to 15 percent of the total bar tab, to be given at the end of the event.
Wedding Planner: While not obligatory, a gratuity or a gift for your wedding planner is a kind gesture for their hard work, commonly around $100 to $200.
Photographer/Videographer: If part of a larger company, a tip of $50 to $100 per vendor can be appropriate.
Musicians/DJs: Between $25 to $50 per musician or $50 to $150 for a DJ can show your appreciation for their performance.
Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Like salon visits, a 15 to 25 percent tip of the service cost is expected.
By keeping these guidelines in mind, you'll be well-prepared to show your gratitude to those who make your wedding day special.
When planning your wedding, it's important to remember the hard work service providers put into making your day special. Tipping is a customary way to show your appreciation for their exceptional service.
Your wedding planner is the orchestrator behind the scenes, ensuring everything runs smoothly. While they often charge a service fee, a tip is a generous gesture for their dedication. Consider tipping your wedding planner between $100 to $200, especially if their service exceeded your expectations.
The photographer and videographer capture the precious moments of your day. If they are employees of a larger company, a tip of $100 to $200 can be given to each professional for their creative work.
These artists help you look incredible on your special day. It's standard to tip your hair and makeup artists 15-25 percent depending upon the quality of their service.
Whether it's a quartet or a soloist, ceremony musicians add a layer of ambiance to your wedding. A tip of $15 to $20 per musician is a nice token of your gratitude.
This group includes bartenders, waitstaff, and the catering staff. A suggested tip is 10-15 percent of the total catering or bar service fee, to be divided among them.
Here's a quick rundown of who to tip and how much:
Your florist and decor team transform your venue with their artistic vision. You’re not obliged to tip business owners, but consider tipping any staff on hand $10 to $20 per person.
Drivers and valet service attendants ensure your guests arrive and depart with ease. A customary tip for drivers is 15-20% of the total bill, and for parking attendants, $1 to $2 per car should suffice.
Remember, these amounts can be adjusted based on the quality of service and your wedding budget.
Deciding how much to tip your wedding vendors can be a bit perplexing, but it's important to get it right to show your appreciation for their hard work. Consider the type of service and whether a service fee is included in your contract as you plan your tips.
When reviewing your contracts, look out for a pre-specified service fee. A service fee might be a fixed gratuity, which means you are not expected to tip any additional amount. However, if the contract does not include a service fee, or you believe that the vendor has performed exceptionally well, it’s common to offer a tip based on a percentage of the total bill amount.
While cash tips are always appreciated, some vendors might also welcome a thoughtful gift as a token of gratitude.
Remember, the final tips or gifts should reflect the level of service you received, and any final invoice should be checked for pre-included gratuities to avoid double-tipping. Expressing your thanks with a suitable amount acknowledges their contribution to making your day special.
When planning your wedding, it's important to be aware of when it might be appropriate to adjust the standard gratuity. Think about the quality of service and any exceptional circumstances that might arise.
Photographer and Videographer: If your photography or videography team captures every moment to perfection, exceeding your expectations, consider tipping above the standard. Industry custom suggests $50–$100 per staff member for exceptional service.
Surprise factors: When any vendor handles a curveball with grace—like a sudden downpour or a missing bouquet—and still delivers stellar service, it's a kind gesture to tip extra as a thank you for managing the surprise so well.
Small Business Owners: Typically, business owners do not expect tips since they set their prices. However, for photographers or videographers who own their business but go above and beyond to enhance your special day, a tip as a token of appreciation can reflect the value of their extra effort.
Expectation vs. Custom: While tipping business owners isn't generally expected, if you feel moved by the personal attention and dedication to your wedding, a discretionary bonus is always a warm gesture of gratitude.
When planning your wedding budget, don't forget to account for gratuities. These tips are not just polite gestures but also a way to show appreciation for the exceptional service provided on your special day.
To ensure you’ve covered all potential tipping scenarios, start by reviewing your vendor contracts. Some may already include gratuity, while others will not. Create a list of all the vendors you plan to tip, then follow these specifics steps:
Determine the Total Tipping Amount: Assign a percentage of your total wedding budget for gratuities. Traditional advice suggests setting aside 2-3% of your budget for tips.
Create a Tipping Spreadsheet: Log each vendor in a spreadsheet and note suggested tipping amounts or percentages. A common approach is to offer between $20-$100 for service staff and $50-$500 for higher-tier vendors, depending on their role and level of service.
Adjust According to Service: If a vendor goes above and beyond, you might consider increasing their tip. Exceptional service deserves recognition, and if your budget allows, showing extra appreciation can go a long way.
Remember to check your budget regularly in the lead-up to your wedding and adjust your tipping plan as needed to accommodate any changes. Keep in mind, some vendors may outright decline gratuities, so it's always good to be prepared with a thank-you card to express your gratitude in those cases.
While financial tips are a common way to express gratitude to wedding vendors, there are meaningful alternatives to recognize their dedication and the quality of service they've provided at your wedding.
Thank-You Notes: Personal thank-you notes carry a warm, genuine sentiment that can make your vendors feel truly appreciated. Mention specific details about their service that made your day special to personalize your message.
Examples:
Reviews: A glowing review on platforms like WeddingWire not only shows your gratitude but also supports the vendor's business. It's a public endorsement that can significantly influence future clients.
Components of a Great Review:
Referrals: If you're thrilled with the service, referring them to friends and family is a powerful way to reward your vendors. It's tangible evidence that you trust their quality and want others to experience the same.
Ways to Refer:
Positive Feedback: Sometimes, providing constructive feedback directly to the vendor can help them hone their craft. If your experience was positive, let them know what they did right. This validation can be incredibly rewarding.
How to Provide Feedback:
After your wedding day, it's essential to review your vendor contracts and finalize any remaining gratuities. This gesture not only serves as a sign of appreciation for their hard work but also ensures that you're honoring any contractual tipping obligations.
When distributing tips following your wedding, keep in mind the following steps:
Review Your Contracts: Before preparing envelopes, revisit your contracts to check if gratuity was included in your billing. Some vendors may automatically add a service charge.
Prepare Envelopes: If gratuity was not included, place cash tips in clearly marked envelopes for each vendor. This helps avoid confusion and ensures each employee receives their deserved amount.
Decide on Amounts: The standard tip for wedding service providers ranges typically from 10-20%, depending on the quality of service. For vendors such as photographers and videographers who are part of a larger company, a tip of $100 to $200 is often appreciated. However, if the vendor owns their business, tipping isn't necessary but still appreciated if you were pleased with their service.
Who to Tip: Extend a tip to those who went above and beyond. Any employee involved in making your wedding day special should be considered, from the waitstaff to the DJ.
Timing: Ideally, tips should be handed out at the end of the reception or sent after the honeymoon along with a thank-you note.
Remember, tipping is a discretionary way to show your gratitude. It's not just about meeting etiquette standards; it's a personal acknowledgement of the effort and dedication that contributed to the success of your special day.
When planning your nuptials, you'll want to consider tipping etiquette for various services. Tips are a way to express gratitude for exceptional service, and in the case of a wedding, they can be given for a range of services associated with your big day.
Event Planner
Venue Staff
Hair and Makeup
Attire Alterations
When your special day arrives, tipping shouldn't be a cause for stress. Keep these final points in mind to ensure your gratuities reflect your appreciation for those who make your wedding day memorable.
Remember, tips are a token of your gratitude towards the vendors who contribute to the success of your wedding. A thoughtful approach to tipping is a generous way to express your thanks.
Before diving into specifics, remember that tipping is a gesture of appreciation for a job well done. When it comes to non-traditional wedding vendors or understanding service charges, each vendor category may have its own set of guidelines.
You might encounter vendors that don't fit the traditional mold, like a unique entertainment act or a food truck caterer. In these cases:
Service charges may appear on your bills, but they're not always tips:
When preparing for your wedding ceremony, it's important to understand the customary tipping practices for the venue and officials involved. Showing appreciation through tips can be a significant part of your ceremony experience.
Church or House of Worship Donations:
If your ceremony is taking place within a religious institution such as a church or other house of worship, a donation is a way to express gratitude for hosting your special event. It's not necessarily viewed as a tip, but rather a contribution to the place that is supporting your union.
Wedding Officiant Gratuities:
For the wedding officiant, whether they are a member of the clergy or a civil official, a tip is a gesture of thanks for their role in making your wedding official. The amount can vary based on their involvement and time spent with you preparing for your wedding.
When planning your wedding reception, keep in mind that certain staff and vendors who contribute to the success of your celebration deserve recognition through tips. It's standard practice to reward those who go above and beyond to ensure your reception is memorable.
Your reception venue staff, including waiters, bartenders, and the venue coordinator, typically expect gratuities for their service. Here’s a quick reference:
You should hand these tips to your wedding venue coordinator or designate a trusted person to distribute them at the night's end.
The atmosphere at your reception is largely set by your music providers, who ensure your guests are entertained.
For bands and DJs, hand the tips over at the end of the reception. This can be handled directly or you can delegate this task to a responsible member of your wedding party.
Tipping your wedding vendors is a tangible expression of your appreciation for their role in your special day. It's important to remember that while tipping is customary, it also deeply reflects your gratitude for their hard work and dedication.
When you extend a tip to your wedding vendors, you're doing more than just adhering to tipping etiquette; you're making a statement of appreciation. This isn't just about money; it conveys a heartfelt thank you that enhances the significance of their effort. Consider these specific points:
A thank you note can often be just as valued as a monetary tip. It's a personal touch that can resonate with your vendors, acknowledging the personal element they bring to your wedding day. A few thoughtful words paired with a tip can leave a lasting impression of gratitude.
