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Tipping wedding vendors is a thoughtful way to show appreciation for their services. While it is not mandatory, it is a kind gesture to thank the vendors who helped bring your creative vision to life. The amount and timing of the tip depend on the vendor and the scope of their involvement in the wedding. For example, it is customary to tip waitstaff, bartenders, and caterers, while the gratuity for photographers, videographers, and musicians is more discretionary. It is important to prepare labelled envelopes with cash or cheques in advance and delegate distribution to a trusted individual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tipping wedding wait staff | Optional, but appreciated |
| Typical amount | $15-$50 per person |
| When to tip | At the end of the event or after the honeymoon |
| Who to tip | Waiters, bartenders, delivery staff, restroom waitstaff, venue attendants |
| Other tips | Tipping is not required for proprietors, but is appreciated for small business owners |
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Tipping etiquette
For vendors who do not include gratuities in their contracts, it is recommended to tip between 10-20% of the fee. This can be given at the end of the event or even after the honeymoon. It is also acceptable to give a small gift instead of cash. When deciding how much to tip, consider the level of service provided and whether the vendor went above and beyond. For example, a DJ who plays your favourite song or a photographer who captures magical moments may deserve a higher tip.
Some specific vendor tipping guidelines include:
- Transportation: Tip 15-20% of the pre-tax bill or $30 for every hour you booked.
- Officiant: Tip $50-$100 to the officiant and $100-$500 to the institution.
- Beauty teams: Tip at the time of service, with $30 per hour being a recommended amount for hairstylists.
- Musicians: Tip $50-$150 if they meet your expectations.
- Photographers and videographers: Tip 5-15% of the contract amount or $50-$200 per team member. If the photographer owns their own business, a tip is not required but still appreciated.
- Bartenders and waitstaff: Tip $15-$30 per person, depending on the bill.
- Florists: Tipping is not typical, but if you feel they went above and beyond, a tip of $50-$200 or a small gift is appropriate.
- Cake bakers: Tipping is optional but appreciated, especially if they were present on-site.
- Delivery staff: Tip $10-$50 per person, depending on the service provided.
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When to tip
Tipping wedding vendors is not mandatory, but it is a kind gesture to show appreciation for their services. The time at which you'll hand them their gratuity will vary depending on the vendor and their services. Here is a general guide on when to tip:
At the time of service:
- Beauty teams, including hairstylists
- Chauffeurs and other transportation providers
- Musicians
- Bartenders
- Delivery teams, including those delivering flowers, chairs, the wedding cake, and other important items
- Setup staff
At the end of the event:
- Photographers, videographers, and their assistants
- DJ
- On-site coordinator
- Venue staff, including waitstaff and valet parking attendants
- Reception staff
- Caterers
Post-wedding (or by mail):
- Wedding planner
- Florist
- Anyone with deliverables extending beyond the wedding day, such as a band or photo booth attendant
Before the wedding:
Officiant, if they are conducting the ceremony at a courthouse, know that the law prohibits gratuity. Otherwise, it is customary to tip them before the wedding or during the rehearsal.
It is recommended to prepare labelled envelopes with cash or cheques ahead of time and delegate distribution to a trusted individual, such as your planner, a parent, or a member of the wedding party.
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How much to tip
Tipping wedding vendors is not mandatory, but it is a kind gesture to show appreciation for their services. The amount you tip can vary depending on factors such as the level of service provided, the scope of their involvement in the wedding, and your overall budget. Here is a breakdown of how much to tip different categories of wedding staff:
Waitstaff and Bartenders:
Waitstaff and bartenders typically receive tips ranging from $15 to $50 per person. This amount can be adjusted based on the level of service provided and the duration of their work. It is a good idea to prepare envelopes with cash or checks in advance and delegate the distribution to a trusted individual, such as your wedding planner or a member of the wedding party.
Photographers and Videographers:
Photographers and videographers generally appreciate tips, especially if they are business owners or have gone above and beyond. Tips for photographers can range from 5% to 15% of the contract value, which equates to approximately $50 to $200 per team member. For videographers, a tip of $50 to $100 per person is appropriate.
Transportation and Delivery Staff:
Transportation providers, such as chauffeurs, typically receive tips of 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill if it is not included in the contract. Delivery staff, including those delivering flowers, chairs, cakes, and other essential items, should be tipped $10 to $50 per person, depending on the nature of the delivery.
Other Vendors:
Other vendors, such as musicians, DJs, makeup artists, hairstylists, and officiants, can be tipped based on their performance and the level of service provided. Officiants are typically tipped $50 to $100, while musicians and DJs can receive tips of $50 to $150. Makeup artists and hairstylists often expect tips similar to those given in salons, which can be around 15% to 25% of the total bill.
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Who to tip
Tipping wedding vendors is not mandatory, but it is a kind gesture to show your appreciation for their services. It is important to note that some vendors include gratuities in their service contracts, so they automatically receive tips when you pay the bill. Here is a list of vendors you may want to consider tipping:
Wedding Planner or Coordinator
Wedding planners or coordinators often go above and beyond to ensure your special day runs smoothly. If you have hired a wedding planner or coordinator, consider showing your appreciation with a tip. The amount you give can vary depending on the level of service and your overall satisfaction.
Waitstaff, Bartenders, and Other Venue Attendants
Waitstaff, bartenders, and other venue attendants, such as valet parking attendants, restroom waitstaff, and coat-check workers, work hard to ensure your guests are well taken care of. It is common practice to tip these individuals as you would in a restaurant or similar setting. The amount can range from $15 to $30 per person, depending on the bill and the level of service provided.
Delivery and Setup Staff
Those involved in the delivery and setup process, including cake and flower delivery, heavy lifting, and setting up equipment, should also be considered for tips. It is recommended to tip these workers between $10 and $50 per person, depending on the nature of their work and the level of service provided.
Photographers and Videographers
Photographers and videographers are not always tipped, especially if they own their own business. However, if you feel they have gone above and beyond, a tip of 5-10% of the contract price or $50-$200 per team member is appropriate. If they have hired extra help, consider tipping each person or providing a set amount for them to distribute among their staff.
Musicians and DJs
Musicians and DJs are often encouraged to tip if they have met or exceeded your expectations. A tip of $50-$150 for a DJ is appropriate, while gratuity for musicians can vary depending on their performance and your satisfaction.
Remember, these are just guidelines, and the amount you tip can vary based on your budget, the level of service, and your overall satisfaction. It is a good idea to prepare labelled envelopes with cash or checks in advance and delegate the distribution to a trusted individual, such as your planner, a parent, or a member of the wedding party.
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Budgeting for tips
Tipping wedding vendors is not mandatory, but it is a kind gesture to show your appreciation for their services. The amount you tip can vary depending on the vendor and the level of service provided. It is a good idea to budget for tips in advance to avoid any surprises, and it is recommended to prepare envelopes with cash or cheques ahead of time. Here are some guidelines for budgeting for tips:
- Photographer and videographer: While tipping photographers and videographers is not required, it is appreciated. You can consider tipping 5-15% of the contract amount or $50-$200 per team member. If the photographer or videographer is a business owner, you may give them a tip or a small gift.
- DJ, band, and musicians: Tipping these vendors is optional but encouraged if they meet your expectations. You can consider tipping them $50-$150 after the reception.
- Makeup artist, hairstylist, and other beauty professionals: Tipping is expected for these services, similar to when you get your hair or makeup done at a salon. You can tip them 15-25% of your entire bill at the end of their duty.
- Transportation: If gratuity is not included in the contract, you can tip transportation workers 15-20% of the pre-tax bill or $30 for every hour you booked them.
- Officiant: You can expect to tip the officiant $50-$100, and an additional $100-$500 to the institution.
- Waitstaff, bartenders, and other venue staff: Tipping these vendors is at your discretion. You can consider tipping them $15-$30 per person, similar to a typical restaurant tip.
- Delivery and setup staff: Tipping these workers is expected, especially if they are handling important items such as the wedding cake, flowers, or sound system. You can tip them between $10-$50 per person.
- Florist, cake baker, and other vendors: Tipping these vendors is optional but can be considered if you feel they went above and beyond. A tip for your florist could range from $50 to $200, or you could send a small gift.
Remember that these are just guidelines, and you can adjust the amounts based on your budget and the level of service you receive. It is also a good idea to check your contracts to see if gratuity is already included, as some vendors build that cost into their contract.
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Frequently asked questions
Tipping wedding vendors is not mandatory but it is a kind gesture to show appreciation for their services. It is recommended to prepare envelopes with cash or cheques in advance for vendors being tipped on the day of the wedding.
The amount you tip the wait staff depends on the service provided. It is recommended to tip between $15 to $30 per person, which is a typical tip at a restaurant.
It is appropriate to tip the wait staff at the end of the event or after the honeymoon. If you are tipping in cash, it is best to do so at the end of their duty or at the end of the night.
In addition to the wait staff, it is common to tip other vendors such as the DJ, photographer, videographer, bartender, makeup artist, florist, and transportation personnel. It is important to review your contracts to see where tipping might already be covered.
