Franklin Dean
Tipping wedding vendors is a way to express gratitude for their hard work. It is essential to review your contract to see if gratuity is included, as it is customary to tip individuals such as the catering staff, delivery people, waitstaff, dishwashers, and other service personnel if it is not. The standard for tipping most vendors is around 15-20%, but this can vary depending on factors such as whether they provided a complimentary tasting or the distance they travelled. It is also important to coordinate with the catering manager to organise tip envelopes before the wedding and distribute them on the day of or at the end of the wedding night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to tip | The day before or at the end of the wedding night |
| How much to tip | 10-20% of the alcohol bill, $100 for a coordinator, $20 for catering staff members, $20 per hair/makeup artist, $300-$500 for bartending services for a wedding of 150 |
| Who to tip | Delivery and setup staff, catering staff, bartenders, photographers, videographers, coordinators, hair/makeup artists, officiants, musicians, drivers |
| Other tips | Review your contract for any included gratuity, a service charge is not necessarily a gratuity, avoid tipping twice |
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What You'll Learn
Check your contract for included gratuity
When planning a wedding, it is essential to review your contract for included gratuity to avoid accidentally tipping twice. Service charges and gratuities are not the same thing. A service charge pays for the staff's salary, while a gratuity is their tip for a job well done. Gratuity is often included in the total bill for catering services, and bartending services are frequently part of the caterer's package. If gratuity is not included in the contract, it is customary to tip 15-20% of the total bill. This standard for tipping most vendors includes catering staff, transportation, musicians, coordinators, and hair and makeup artists.
When reviewing your contract, be mindful that gratuity may be factored into the agreement for the day-of staff, drivers, and production team. Ask specific questions to understand better if the gratuity extends to these individuals. It is also important to note that business owners of larger companies typically do not receive tips, only their employees. However, it is appropriate to tip an owner when the service exceeds expectations.
Some vendors may include tips as part of their contract, so it is crucial to carefully read the fine print to ensure you are aware of any additional gratuities. If gratuities are not included, it is considerate to include tips in your wedding budget to express gratitude for the hard work of the wedding vendors. It is recommended to give monetary tips at the end of the wedding night before the photography and videography teams depart.
Additionally, tipping your limo or shuttle driver is expected, but be sure to check your contract to see if it is included. If gratuity is not included in the contract, plan to tip provided they show up on time, provide a smooth ride, and don't get lost. For a wedding of 150 guests, for example, a tip of $300 to $500 would be appropriate for the bartending services if it wasn't included in your package.
In summary, reviewing your contract for included gratuity is crucial to avoid double tipping and understanding who is expected to receive tips. Be mindful of the distinction between service charges and gratuities, and don't forget to factor in tips when creating your wedding budget to show appreciation for the hard work of the wedding vendors.
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Tip 15-20% of the bill
Tipping your wedding vendors is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication to making your big day a success. While some vendors include gratuity in their contract, others leave it up to the couple to decide how much to tip. If you're unsure about whether to tip a particular vendor, it's always a good idea to review your contract and check with your wedding planner or coordinator.
When it comes to tipping your wedding venue and caterer, it's standard to tip 15-20% of the total bill. This includes both the venue coordinator and the catering captain, who often take on many of the same duties as a wedding planner or coordinator. This tip can be given at the end of the reception or mailed later, and it's a nice way to show your gratitude for their hard work.
For the catering staff, it is customary to tip $20 to each staff member, excluding the owner of the business. This can be given at the end of the reception or during the setup to encourage great service. If the wait staff has gone above and beyond, you can consider adding an additional $5 to $10 to their tip. It is also common to tip bartending services, which are often included in the caterer's package. If gratuity is not included in the contract, it is recommended to tip 10-20% of the bar bill for the bartenders to split.
In addition to the venue and catering, there are other wedding vendors that you may want to consider tipping. This includes the wedding cake baker (10-15% of the final bill), hair and makeup artists (15-20% of the total charge), transportation staff (15-20% of the total bill), and ceremony musicians ($15-20 per musician). It is also common to tip delivery staff, photographers, videographers, DJs, bands, florists, and officiants, although the amount can vary depending on their affiliation and level of service provided.
Remember to factor in tipping when creating your overall wedding budget, and don't be afraid to ask your wedding planner or coordinator for guidance on tipping etiquette and amounts.
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Tip per person ($10-$50)
When it comes to tipping wedding vendors, it is important to first review your contract to see if gratuity is included. This is often the case for caterers, who may include gratuity in their contract to tip out their staff. If gratuity is included, you don't need to worry about tipping the business owner, but you may want to tip individual staff members who have provided excellent service.
If gratuity is not included, it is customary to tip wedding vendors, and the standard amount is between $10 and $50 per person. This can be given as a cash gift in an envelope at the end of the wedding, or as a monetary gift after the event. It is a good idea to include a few extra envelopes, as it can be hard to know how many delivery workers will be on-site. Work with your planner, catering manager, or venue coordinator to figure this out.
When deciding on the amount to tip, you can consider factors such as the level of service provided, whether they provided a complimentary tasting, the distance they travelled to cater your event, and whether you made any additional requests beyond the standard service. For example, if you have requested a late-night snack delivery, you may wish to show gratitude with a generous tip.
If you are tipping bartenders, it is important to check their contracts for any included gratuity. If not, you can prepare cash in an envelope and request your wedding coordinator to discreetly hand it to the bartenders at the end of the night. The amount you tip should reflect the level of service you receive, and you should ensure that the bartenders have not also accepted tips from your guests.
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Tip at the end of the night
Tipping your wedding vendors is a way to express gratitude for their dedication and hard work. It is essential to review your contracts before determining your tipping amounts as some vendors may already include a suggested gratuity percentage. A "service charge" is not necessarily a gratuity, so it is important to ask how that money is being used.
When tipping at the end of the night, it is customary to give monetary tips to vendors such as reception staff, caterers, and venues providing day-of management. It is also important to confirm whether they have accepted tips from your guests, as this may take the place of any tip you give them.
If you are tipping bartenders, it is recommended to do so at the end of the night and ensure they have not accepted tips from your guests. For a wedding of 150, a tip of $300 to $500 would be appropriate, assuming it is not included in your package.
For other vendors, such as catering staff, it is standard to tip between $20 to $100 per person, depending on the level of service and the atmosphere they bring to your wedding. It is also a nice gesture to send physical gifts or thank-you cards after receiving their services.
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Give gifts after receiving photos/videos
Tipping your wedding vendors is a great way to show gratitude for their services. It is customary to tip vendors such as the photographer, videographer, DJ, band, planner, coordinator, makeup artist, delivery and setup staff, officiant, caterer, bartender, and valet, among others. The standard tipping amount is around 15-20%, unless gratuity is already included in the contract.
Now, if you're specifically interested in giving gifts after receiving photos and videos, here are some ideas:
Timing and Occasion
It is generally best to give gifts featuring wedding photos as a token of love or appreciation sometime after the wedding. While you can certainly give such gifts during occasions like birthdays or Christmas, they may be better suited as standalone gestures of gratitude.
Personalization
Consider personalizing your gifts with thoughtful notes or messages. For example, you could include a message like, "this was my favourite moment of the evening" or "I'm grateful you shared our special day with us." This adds sentimentality and shows that you put effort into the gift.
Gift Ideas
- Prints or Candids: Large prints of staged family photos or beautiful candids of adults with their children can be given to parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
- Thank You Cards: Include printed photos of your guests in thank-you cards, with a message like, "Thanks for making it, here's a photo of you all dressed up."
- Photo Projections: Gifts like bracelets that project a single photo or wooden prisma that displays multiple images can be given to close friends.
- Photo Engravings: Crystal candle holders with laser-engraved photos can be a perfect token of gratitude for those closest to you.
- Vow Books: Beautiful notebooks for a couple to keep their vows in, allowing them to cherish their pledges forever.
- Handmade Items: Consider handmade gifts like earrings, which convey extra love and care.
- Welcome Packages: Send a welcome package to your wedding photography clients right after they book with you, including items that will make their planning journey more organized and fun.
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Frequently asked questions
It is customary to tip 15-20% of the bill to the caterer, who can then divide it among the staff. You can also decide on a cash amount ahead of time, such as $20 per catering staff member.
Monetary tips should be given out at the end of the wedding night. It is recommended that you review your contract with the caterer to see if gratuity is included.
A "service charge" is a mandatory fee that is often added to your venue and/or catering contract. Service charges may not go directly to employees, so you should ask how the money is being used. Unless you see the word "gratuity" on your final bill, you may still need to tip.
In addition to catering staff, you should also tip delivery and setup staff, bartenders, and valet parking attendants.
For bartending services, you can tip a few dollars per guest or a percentage of the alcohol bill. For other staff, you can tip between $10-$50 per person.
