Deborah Chan
Tipping wedding vendors is a nice way to show gratitude for their services. While it is not mandatory, it is a common practice to tip vendors who have gone above and beyond to make your wedding a success. The amount you tip can vary depending on the vendor and the services provided. It is a good idea to review your contracts to see if gratuity is included and to be aware of local tipping customs, especially if you are getting married outside the US. Some vendors, such as caterers and venues with day-of management, may include service charges or gratuity in the contract. It is also important to have cash or checks prepared in advance for tipping on the day of the wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to tip | Wedding vendors like hairstylists, wedding cake bakers, florists, photographers, musicians, wedding planners, makeup artists, venue coordinators, waitstaff, bartenders, valet, etc. |
| How much to tip | $10-$20 per person is average. 10-20% of the alcohol bill for bartending companies, 15-20% of the food and beverage bill for catering staff, 15-20% of the pre-tax total for chauffeurs or drivers, 15-25% of the total bill for hair and makeup artists, 10% of the pre-tax total for florists, $50-$100 per person for florist employees who remain on-site for setup and teardown, $50-$100 for officiants, $100-$300 each for catering/banquet managers and head waiters, $1-$2 per guest for attendants, $10-$50 per person for delivery workers |
| When to tip | At the end of the event or after services are rendered. For bartenders, at the end of the event. For caterers, at the start or end of the reception. For chauffeurs, at the end of the final ride of the evening. For delivery staff, at the end of each drop-off. For florists, at the end of the reception if they are still on-site, otherwise at the end of setup or as soon as possible after the wedding. For officiants, at the rehearsal or rehearsal dinner. For hairstylists and makeup artists, after services are rendered. |
| Other considerations | Tipping customs vary within the US and internationally, so ask your wedding planner or venue coordinator about local customs. Check your contracts to see if gratuity is included. Service charges are not necessarily gratuities and may not go directly to employees. You don't need to tip business owners, but you may want to if they provide exceptional service. |
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What You'll Learn
- Tipping customs vary, so ask your wedding planner about local customs and guidelines
- Prepare cash or cheques in advance and put each tip in a labelled envelope
- You don't need to tip business owners, but you can if you feel they've gone above and beyond
- If your venue provides food and beverages, there may be an automatic gratuity or service charge
- Tip the people who deliver your cake, flowers, chairs, and other wedding decorations
Tipping customs vary, so ask your wedding planner about local customs and guidelines
Tipping customs vary depending on location, so it's always a good idea to ask your wedding planner about local customs and guidelines. For example, tipping customs vary even within the United States, and your planner will know the customary wedding gratuity etiquette in your area. Similarly, if you're getting married outside the US, be sure to ask your wedding planner or venue coordinator about the local tipping customs and guidelines.
In addition to this, it's important to understand that while tipping is a nice gesture, you shouldn't feel obligated to do so if you weren't happy with the service. It's also worth noting that gratuity may already be included in your contract, so be sure to check this before planning any tips. A “service charge” is not necessarily a gratuity, and may instead be a mandatory fee that gets added to your venue and/or catering contract. However, if gratuity is not included in your contract, it's customary to tip certain vendors, such as your hairstylist, makeup artist, musicians, and waitstaff.
When it comes to how much to tip, this can vary depending on the service provided and local customs. For example, it's common to tip anywhere from $10-$20 per person for staff delivering flowers, chairs, cakes, and other necessities, depending on the service they provide. For bartenders and waitstaff, it's typical to tip 10-20% of the alcohol and food and beverage bill, respectively, unless a gratuity is included in your contract. For other vendors, such as your hairstylist and makeup artist, it's standard to tip the same amount you would for a regular salon visit, which is typically 15-25% of your total bill.
In addition to cash tips, another way to thank your wedding vendors is to share professional photos from your wedding. This is especially helpful for vendors such as florists, cake bakers, stationers, and planners, as they can use these photos for marketing materials.
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Prepare cash or cheques in advance and put each tip in a labelled envelope
Preparing cash or cheques in advance and putting each tip in a labelled envelope is a great way to ensure you're ready to reward those who have helped make your wedding day a success. Here are some steps and tips to guide you through the process:
Withdraw Cash in Advance
Plan a trip to the bank before your wedding day to withdraw cash for the tips. This ensures you have the right denominations and avoids last-minute stress. It's a good idea to bring a variety of denominations to make it easier to distribute the tips.
Determine the Number of Envelopes and Amounts
Consider the number of vendors you will be tipping and the amount you plan to give each. Remember to include delivery workers, caterers, bartenders, waitstaff, venue coordinators, and any other individuals who have contributed to your wedding. The amount you tip each person or group can vary depending on the service provided and local customs. For example, you might tip delivery workers and bartenders $10-$20 each, while a banquet manager or head waiter might receive $100-$300.
Prepare Labelled Envelopes
Prepare separate envelopes for each tip, clearly labelling them with the recipient's name or role. This ensures that the tips are distributed correctly, especially if you have a large number of vendors involved. Seal the envelopes to keep the contents secure.
Assign an Envelope Distributor
Delegate the task of handing out the envelopes to a trusted member of your bridal party or wedding party. This person should be responsible and aware of the timing for distributing the tips. For example, some tips may be given before the wedding, while others may be given at the end of the reception.
Include a Few Extra Envelopes
It's a good idea to prepare a few extra envelopes with cash. This accounts for any unexpected situations or additional vendors who may need to be tipped. You can always use the extra envelopes for another purpose if they aren't needed for tips.
Be Aware of Local Customs and Guidelines
If you're getting married outside of your local area or in a different country, be sure to research or ask about local tipping customs and guidelines. Tipping amounts and expectations can vary from region to region, so it's important to be informed in advance.
Preparing cash or cheques in advance and using labelled envelopes is a thoughtful and organised approach to showing your appreciation for the people who have contributed to your special day.
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You don't need to tip business owners, but you can if you feel they've gone above and beyond
Tipping culture varies across the world, and it is essential to understand the customs of your wedding location. Generally, you are not expected to tip business owners, but their employees. This is because you are already paying the business owner for their services, and the price is deemed adequate by them. However, this does not apply to small business owners, who can be considered for tipping based on the quality of service.
If you feel that the business owner has gone above and beyond and you want to show your appreciation, you can certainly choose to tip them. This is entirely at your discretion and is a nice way to recognise their efforts. You can also write a thank-you note or leave a positive review for them, which is highly appreciated and can help their business.
When it comes to tipping at weddings, it is common to tip those who have helped with the setup and breakdown of the event. This includes people who deliver important items such as the wedding cake, flowers, rental chairs, and other decorations. It is recommended to have cash envelopes with $5 to $20 per person for these workers, and you can give these envelopes to your on-site coordinator or catering manager to distribute.
Additionally, it is standard to tip hair and makeup artists, bartenders, waitstaff, and catering staff, similar to how you would in a salon or restaurant. Tipping wedding vendors is usually expected, and it is a good idea to check with your planner or venue coordinator about the local customs and guidelines.
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If your venue provides food and beverages, there may be an automatic gratuity or service charge
When it comes to tipping at your wedding venue, it's important to understand the difference between a "service charge" and "gratuity". A "service charge" is a mandatory fee added to your venue contract, whereas "gratuity" specifically refers to money given to employees as a tip. Service charges may not go directly to the staff and can be used for venue maintenance or administrative costs. Therefore, it is important to clarify with your venue how the service charge is being used and whether you need to pay an additional gratuity.
When determining how much to tip, it is common to give a percentage of the total bill. For catering staff, a gratuity of 15-20% of the food and beverage bill is generally expected if not included in the contract. For bartenders, a tip of 10-20% of the alcohol bill is appropriate if a gratuity was not included. It is also customary to tip delivery staff, such as those bringing flowers, rental chairs, and the wedding cake, $10 to $20 per delivery, depending on the level of service provided.
When tipping individuals, amounts can vary depending on their role and the complexity of the task. For example, hairstylists may receive a higher tip for intricate hairstyles or special accommodations. Makeup artists typically receive a tip of 15-25% of the total bill. It is also common to give a $100-500 donation to the house of worship if your officiant is affiliated with a religious institution.
Remember, tipping is a personal choice, and you should not feel obligated if you are unhappy with the service. However, if you feel that certain individuals or vendors have gone above and beyond, you may choose to tip them additionally or give them a small gift as a token of your appreciation.
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Tip the people who deliver your cake, flowers, chairs, and other wedding decorations
Tipping customs vary even within the United States, so it's a good idea to ask your wedding planner or venue coordinator about the local customs and guidelines. Generally, tipping is entirely at your discretion, and you shouldn't feel obligated to tip if you weren't happy with the service. That said, it's customary to tip people who deliver your cake, flowers, chairs, and other wedding decorations.
For cake delivery, it's standard to tip the delivery staff, especially if they've gone beyond what they normally provide. You can calculate your tip based on the delivery fee, the number of workers, the amount of setup involved, or what you feel is reasonable for similar services. A tip of $10 to $20 per delivery person is standard, but you can increase this amount if there's an elaborate setup. You can give the tip to each person individually or present it for them to split amongst themselves. It's a good idea to ask the cake shop beforehand about the likely size of their delivery team and the timeframe for delivery so that you can plan properly and have the tip ready.
For flower delivery, it's customary to tip the delivery workers, especially if the flowers require careful handling and transportation. The tip should be given directly to each delivery worker in cash after the flowers are delivered and, if necessary, arranged at the wedding venue. The amount you tip should be per person, not a percentage of the total cost.
For deliveries of chairs and other wedding decorations, it's also customary to tip the delivery workers, especially if a lot of gear needs to be brought in and set up. A tip of $5-$10 per person is generally recommended for these types of deliveries.
You can give the tip envelopes to your on-site coordinator or catering manager before the wedding day so they can distribute them, or you can assign a member of your bridal party to hand them out. It's a good idea to prepare these envelopes in advance, with cash already inside and the vendor's name labeled on the outside.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount you tip depends on the vendor and the service provided. For example, it is standard to tip hairstylists and makeup artists 15-25% of the total bill, while tipping $50-$100 per person for florists is common. For other vendors, such as caterers and bartenders, a percentage of the food and beverage bill (typically 15-20%) is appropriate.
No, tipping is not mandatory. It is important to review your contracts, as gratuity may already be included in the final cost. Additionally, you should only tip if you are satisfied with the service provided.
The timing of tipping depends on the vendor. Some vendors, like hairstylists and makeup artists, are typically tipped after their services are rendered. For others, like caterers and bartenders, it is customary to tip at the end of the reception.
It is common to tip vendors who have provided exceptional service or gone above and beyond your expectations. This could include delivery staff, waitstaff, bartenders, photographers, musicians, and wedding planners, among others.
It is recommended to prepare cash or checks in advance and place them in labelled envelopes. You can then give these envelopes to your wedding planner or venue coordinator, or assign a member of your bridal party to distribute them throughout the event.
