A Guide to Tipping Your Wedding Vendors

Tipping your wedding vendors is the topic that we are asked most about. “Who do I tip? How much do I tip? When should I tip? “Do I have to tip?” The list goes on. There is no right or wrong when it comes tips to give to wedding vendors. Any gift of gratitude is appreciated by your vendors. Everybody (including your vendors), knows that a wedding can be a big financial commitment. While we are sure that tips will be gratefully accepted, it is perfectly fine if they do not fit into your budget . Your vendor team will put in countless hours before and during your wedding to make sure that everything is executed exactly as you imagined. Even a small token of appreciation, such as a thoughtful present, money or a handwritten note, can go a long way. Certain vendors may have or not have tipping guidelines in their contracts or industry. polled our vendor guide to get their opinions on this subject. These tips will help you (get it?) to thank your wedding vendors properly.

Hair Stylists & Makeup Artists

Tipping is encouraged in this category and is usually expected. In general, tipping your glam team for the day is expected to be around 20%. These people make you look fabulous. Although most stylists do not mention tipping on their contracts, it is always a nice gesture and, according to our survey, the majority of stylists receive tips frequently. You can also thank your team with small gifts, or gift cards to places like coffee. These people often get up early in the morning to ensure you look great!

Wedding Dress Boutiques & Alterations

The majority of bridal shops and seamstresses don’t expect gratuities, but sending a small gift or thank-you card is nice if you have a great experience!

Cake Baker

Your cake or dessert is one of the best parts of your day. These vendors bake with love but they don’t expect tips. A personal note of thanks would be a great way to say thank you!

DJs & Musicians

The results of this category are a little mixed. We surveyed our Vendor Guide’s members. Some DJs don’t tip, but others do. Most DJs don’t expect a tip, even though it’s nice to get one. We’re certain that a gift will be greatly appreciated. You can choose something fancy like wine, cookies or cigars or something more simple but thoughtful, such as gift cards or online reviews.

Bartenders, Caterers, & Waitstaff

Check the contracts you have with your caterer or bartender, as well as any other vendors who provide food services. Most likely, your final bill includes a standard tip of 15 to 20%. A small gift or tip will be appreciated if you feel they went beyond the call of duty. The gratuity included in the contract is usually enough to tip the waitstaff. However, if you want to go above and beyond, they will appreciate it.

Officiants

Whether you’re hiring an officiant or working with a priest/pastor/minister from a church, you are likely already paying a small fee, but tipping isn’t normally in their contract. If you feel that the officiant went above and beyond in making your ceremony special, then a gift card or some cash would be a great token of appreciation. The amount could be anywhere between $50 and $100 depending on the circumstances.

Rent Photo Booths and Other Rentals

Renting can improve your decor as well as your guests’ wedding experience. Photo booths are a great way to capture the fun of the evening and provide a gift for your guests. Our vendors in these categories told us that, while they don’t usually receive tips, it is nice to get one. It’s usually a small amount of money or a gift certificate.

Stationery Designer

The stationery you choose for your wedding will set the tone for the day and enhance the aesthetics. Your love story can be expressed through your stationery, whether it’s your save-the-dates, invitation suite, or day of pieces. When couples choose to work with local stationery designers to create their wedding paper vision, we love it. We found mixed responses when we surveyed our favorite stationery designers. Half of them receive a tip, and the other half don’t. Most of those who received something did so in the form of money, but other items such as wine, chocolates, or gift cards were also common.

Transport

The majority of transportation companies will either include gratuity on their final bill or let you know if you need to tip the driver. Cash is the best option for this category. We recommend $100 per driver. It’s nice to give a little more than the contract stipulates, even if it is already included.

Florist

The florists who create your wedding flowers spend a lot of time on the job, yet they are rarely tipped. Florists don’t usually include gratuity on their invoices, and they said that they didn’t expect to be tipped. If you are feeling generous, and love the flowers, then it’s always nice to give them something. Money is always a good idea, but you can also give them a candle or donate to their favorite charity.

Photographer and Videographers

After all, the photos and videos you took on your wedding day are the only thing that remains. These professionals do all the hard work in capturing memories of an amazing day. Our poll shows that photographers and videographers get tipped occasionally, but not always. Gift cards and small gifts, which they don’t necessarily expect, are also appreciated.

Wedding Planners

Your wedding planner ensures that your big day runs smoothly. The wedding planner is responsible for the logistics and sometimes even design. They are the gurus who keep everything running smoothly, and make sure everyone gets to where they need and when. Wedding planners don’t expect tips, but they do receive them around half the time. These can range from $100 to $500 depending on their level of service. A small gift can be a nice way to say thank you to your planner if you don’t feel like giving cash.