How Much Should You Tip Your Wedding Planner?

Wedding planners go above and beyond to make your big day a success, so a tip is always appreciated. While it's not mandatory, it's a great way to show your gratitude for their hard work and dedication. The amount you tip can depend on various factors, such as the quality of service, the cost of the service, and the level of satisfaction. It's also a good idea to check your contract to ensure that gratuity is not already included in the price. So, how much should you tip your wedding planner?

How much to tip a wedding planner

Tipping your wedding planner is not obligatory, but it is customary and appreciated for a job well done. It is also a thoughtful gesture to show your gratitude for their hard work. If you feel your wedding planner has gone above and beyond, a tip of 10% to 20% of their total fee is appropriate. This can be given at the end of the reception or sent as a thank-you note with a cheque or gift after the honeymoon. You can also opt to give a thoughtful gift instead of a monetary tip.

If your wedding planner had any assistants, it is recommended to tip them $50 to $150 each.

It is important to check your contract to ensure that gratuity is not already included in the price to avoid double tipping.

When to tip a wedding planner

Tipping a wedding planner is optional but appreciated, especially if you feel they have gone above and beyond. It is recommended to tip a wedding planner 10-20% of their total fee, or send a nice gift.

The best time to tip your wedding planner is at the end of the reception, or you can send a thank-you note with a cheque or gift right after the honeymoon. If you are planning to tip your wedding planner, it is a good idea to prepare the tip in advance and put it in a labelled envelope. This way, you can easily hand it over at the end of the reception, or entrust it to a trusted person like a parent or wedding party member to distribute.

If you are unable to tip your wedding planner, a thoughtful thank-you note is always appreciated. You can also show your gratitude by writing a positive review on wedding planning websites or sharing professional photos from your big day. These gestures go a long way in expressing your appreciation for their hard work.

Whether a tip is required

Tipping wedding vendors is a way to show your appreciation for their services and is often expected, especially if they are small business owners. However, it is not mandatory and is left to the discretion of the couple. When deciding whether to tip, consider the quality of service, the cost of the service, and the number of team members involved.

While not all vendors expect to be tipped, it is always a nice gesture and can even be an unexpected surprise. Some vendors include gratuity in their contract or invoice, so it is important to check and avoid accidental double tipping. If gratuity is not included, tipping is a great way to express gratitude for a job well done.

For wedding planners specifically, tipping is not required but is often appreciated. Wedding planners go above and beyond to ensure your special day runs smoothly, and a tip is a way to recognise their hard work. The amount you tip can depend on various factors, but it is generally recommended to tip wedding planners 10-20% of their total fee, with amounts ranging from $250 to $1000. Alternatively, a thoughtful gift or gift card is also suitable.

If you are unsure about whether to tip, writing a thank-you note or leaving a positive review for your wedding planner is always a thoughtful gesture and highly appreciated.

How to show appreciation without tipping

While tipping is a common way to show appreciation, there are other thoughtful ways to express gratitude. Here are some ways to show appreciation to your wedding planner without tipping:

Write a Thank-You Note

A heartfelt and sincere thank-you note can go a long way in expressing your appreciation. It is always a thoughtful gesture to acknowledge their hard work and dedication in making your wedding day special. You can also mention specific examples of how they went above and beyond your expectations.

Send a Gift

Instead of a monetary tip, consider sending your wedding planner a gift as a token of your appreciation. This could be something personalized, like a gift basket with their favourite items, a gift card, or even a pampering experience such as a spa treatment.

Offer a Positive Review

Leaving a positive review on wedding planning websites or their business page is a great way to show your appreciation. This not only helps their business but also allows other couples to recognize their excellent work. You can also recommend them to your friends and family who are planning weddings.

Treat Them to a Meal

Inviting your wedding planner for a meal, such as coffee or lunch, is another way to show your gratitude. This provides an opportunity to catch up and thank them for their contributions to your special day. It also shows that you value their time and company.

Provide a Photo Album

Creating a photo album or sending them professional photos from your wedding is a thoughtful way to show appreciation. This allows your wedding planner to see the memories they helped create and the impact they made on your big day. It also serves as a reminder of their hard work and dedication.

Express Gratitude Verbally

Sometimes, a simple and sincere "thank you" is all it takes to show your appreciation. Make sure to be clear and specific about the things you appreciated, such as their attention to detail, responsiveness to your requests, or how they handled any last-minute crises.

How to distribute tips

There are a few things to consider when planning how to distribute tips at a wedding. Firstly, it is important to check your contracts to ensure that gratuity has not already been included in the price. Generally, the owners of large businesses do not need to be tipped, but their employees do. Small business owners, on the other hand, should be considered for tipping based on the quality of service.

It is also worth noting that tipping is not always necessary, but it is a great way to show vendors your appreciation for their hard work. If you are unable to give tips, writing a thank-you note or leaving a positive review on a wedding planning website is always appreciated.

• Designate a member of the wedding party, such as the best man or maid of honour, to be in charge of distributing tips. This ensures that the couple can fully enjoy their special day without worrying about logistics.
• Prepare your tips in advance by putting them in labelled envelopes. This will make it easier for the designated person to handle the payments and distribute them on the day of the wedding or after the event.
• If you are unable to hand out tips on the wedding day due to time constraints, you can ask your wedding planner or a member of the wedding party to be responsible for handing them out after the service has been rendered.
• For destination weddings, be sure to ask your venue coordinator or planner about local tipping customs and try to tip in the local currency whenever possible.
• If you are tipping delivery personnel, leave cash envelopes with the coordinator or catering manager so they can distribute the tips to the appropriate persons.
• If you are tipping your wedding planner, it is customary to give them 10-20% of their total fee, or a thoughtful gift card or gift. If they had any assistants, a tip of $50 to $150 for each assistant is appropriate.

Frequently asked questions