You give a tip at restaurants, hair salons, valet parking, and bartenders, but what about tipping your wedding vendors? I have had several brides ask me about tipping their wedding vendors. In this blog, you will find some tips on tipping!
(Tipping)
{Let me clarify that this e-card is not true. None of the Wedding 101 Photographers would ever do something like that!}
Etiquette
Technically, you are not required nor expected to give your vendors a tip. You shouldn’t feel obligated to give tips. However, the tips can be expressions of gratitude and appreciation to the people that helped make your wedding happen.
There are some things to look for before tipping:
-Check your contracts- Caterers often include gratuity in your catering contract; therefore, you wouldn’t need to leave them an additional tip. It’s already been taken care of! No need to double tip!
– If it’s not already in the contract, then agree on a percentage (typically 15-20%) to tip the vendor and go ahead and include it in your contract. This takes care of you having to deal with it on the day of your wedding.
Don’t Tip the Owner
If you hire your band through a booking agency or your photographer is part of a large studio or team, then you don’t need to tip the owner! Instead, tip the person providing service on the day of your event.
Reward Overachievers
There will be some vendors that help you tremendously during your planning. They will be the ones keeping you from having a melt down, be accommodating to your situation and schedule, and be there to make the planning as easy as possible for you and your fiancé. It’s just like at a restaurant. If you waiter or waitress provides excellent service, then you are more inclined to show your appreciation with a nice tip. Reward those vendors that go above and beyond for you during the planning and on the day of your wedding.
Money Manager
The LAST thing you want to be doing on your wedding day is hunting down vendors to give them their tip. Assign a trusted family member or member in your bridal party to pass out the tips as the vendors arrive to the wedding site. If you have a wedding coordinator/planner, give her all of the envelops and let them take care of finding the vendors.
How Much?
I went over to Real Simple.com to help me help you with how much to tip!
Bartenders: 10 percent of the total liquor bill (to be split among them)
Catering manager: $200+ or a personal gift|
Chef: $100+
Hairstylist: 15 to 20 percent
Limo or bus drivers: 15 percent
Makeup artist: 15 to 20 percent
Musicians: 15 percent of fee for ceremony musicians; $25 to $50 per musician for reception
Photographer/videographer: If you’re paying a flat fee with no overtime, $100
Valet or parking attendants: $1 to $2 per car; 15 percent for valet parking
Wedding planner: 15 percent of fee or a personal gift
This list is just a few of the vendors that you could tip! In addition to leaving a tip to some of your favorite vendors, you could also write thank you notes, leave reviews on their Facebook pages, Google, and Yelp pages. Kinds words can go a long way!
What are some examples of times when your vendors have gone above and beyond for your wedding resulting in a tip?!