Deborah Chan
Planning a wedding can be a stressful and expensive affair. It's easy to forget about tipping your wedding planner until the last minute, but it's an important way to show your appreciation for their hard work. While it's not mandatory, a tip is a thoughtful way to recognise the time and effort that went into creating your dream day. So, how much should you tip a wedding planner? This depends on your budget and level of satisfaction, but a good rule of thumb is 10-20% of their total fee, or a thoughtful gift. It's also worth considering tipping any assistants they may have had, with $50-$150 being an appropriate amount.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount | 10-20% of the total bill or up to $1,000 |
| Timing | At the end of the reception or after the honeymoon |
What You'll Learn
How much to tip
Tipping a wedding planner is optional but appreciated, especially if you feel they have gone above and beyond. If you do decide to tip your wedding planner, 10-20% of their total fee is standard, with some sources recommending a higher tip of up to $500 or a thoughtful gift. If your wedding planner had any assistants, it is recommended to tip them $50-$150 each.
It is important to check your contract to see if gratuity is already included in the price. If it is, you may still want to give your wedding planner a gift or thank-you note to show your appreciation.
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When to tip
Tipping your wedding planner is optional, but it is a thoughtful gesture to show your appreciation for their hard work. Here are some guidelines on when to tip your wedding planner:
At the End of the Reception
If you wish to hand off the tip personally, the end of the reception is a good time to do so. This way, you can express your gratitude directly to your planner and ensure they receive the tip. It is recommended to give the tip to your planner in an envelope.
After the Honeymoon
If you prefer, you can send a thank-you note with a cheque or gift after you return from your honeymoon. This gives you more flexibility and allows you to reflect on the service provided.
During Set-up
If you want to encourage great service, you could consider tipping your wedding planner during the set-up, before the reception begins. This way, you can show your appreciation for their efforts in making your special day a success.
Before the Wedding
If you have a lot of envelopes to distribute, it might be a good idea to give them to your planner a day or two before the wedding. This ensures that they can be handed out smoothly on the day itself.
After Receiving Services
If your wedding planner provides additional services, such as hair and makeup, it is customary to tip them after those specific services are completed, similar to how you would tip at a hair salon.
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Who is responsible for tipping
When it comes to tipping wedding vendors, the responsibility for providing the tip typically falls on the couple, even if another party is covering the cost of the wedding. This is because the couple is usually involved in selecting and working with the vendors throughout the planning process, so it is fitting that they express their gratitude through tipping.
However, it is also common to delegate the task of distributing tips to a trusted member of the wedding party or a wedding planner. This ensures that the couple can fully enjoy their special day without worrying about tipping logistics.
- Bride's Parents or Other Parties Paying: If someone else is paying for the wedding, such as the bride's parents, it is still considered thoughtful and appropriate for the couple to handle the tipping themselves.
- Working with a Wedding Planner: A wedding planner can be a valuable resource for tipping guidance and can help organize and distribute tips to vendors. They will know what is customary in your area and can ensure that the appropriate vendors are thanked for their contributions.
- Grand Exit Plans: If the couple plans a grand exit, they may want to avoid carrying envelopes full of cash with them. In this case, delegating the task of tipping to someone else is especially advantageous.
- Destination Weddings: For destination weddings, it is important to ask the venue coordinator or planner about local tipping customs and try to tip in the local currency whenever possible.
- Writing Thank-You Notes: While tipping is a common way to express gratitude, writing a thoughtful thank-you note or leaving a positive review on wedding planning websites is also highly appreciated by vendors. This can be done in addition to, or instead of, providing a monetary tip.
In summary, while the couple is generally responsible for tipping wedding vendors, it is a good idea to delegate this task to a trusted individual or wedding planner to ensure a smooth and enjoyable celebration.
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Whether to tip in cash or another way
Tipping your wedding planner is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work. While it is not mandatory, it is very much appreciated. You can tip them in cash or another way, such as a thoughtful gift or a gift card.
If you opt for cash, it is customary to tip wedding planners 10-20% of their total fee, or up to $500, while a thoughtful gift is also appreciated. You can also send a nice gift or a cheque after the honeymoon. If your wedding planner had an assistant, it is recommended to tip them $50 to $150 each.
If you're unsure about whether to tip in cash or another way, it's a good idea to ask your wedding planner what they prefer. They may have a specific preference, or they may be happy with whatever you choose. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, and whatever you choose to do, your wedding planner will surely appreciate your thoughtfulness and gratitude.
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How to prepare and distribute tips
Tipping a wedding event planner is not mandatory but is very much appreciated, especially if you feel they went above and beyond. It is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work. If you decide to tip your wedding planner, it is customary to give them 10% to 20% of their total fee, or a nice gift such as a bottle of wine. If the wedding planner had any assistants, a tip of $50 to $150 for each assistant is also recommended.
- Determine the Amount: Based on the service provided and your level of satisfaction, decide on the tip amount for the wedding planner and their assistants.
- Prepare the Tips in Advance: Put the tips in labelled envelopes. This can be done by the couple themselves or delegated to a trusted person like a parent, wedding party member, or the wedding planner themself.
- Distribute the Tips at the End of the Reception: Handing off the envelope at the end of the reception is a good time as it allows you to express your gratitude for their hard work throughout the day. If you are unable to do so, you can also send a thank-you note with a check or gift right after the honeymoon.
- Write a Thank-You Note: In addition to the tip, a heartfelt note expressing your appreciation is always a thoughtful gesture.
- Provide a Positive Review: Writing a public review on wedding planning websites or sharing your experience with future brides is an extra special way to thank your wedding planner and their team.
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Frequently asked questions
Tipping an event planner is not expected, but it is appreciated. If you feel that your planner went above and beyond, a tip of 10-20% of their fee is customary, with a maximum of $1,000. Alternatively, a thoughtful gift or gift card is also suitable.
If the event planner has an assistant, a tip of $50-$150 is appropriate.
You can tip your event planner at the end of the reception or send a thank-you note with a cheque or gift after the honeymoon.
It is generally considered thoughtful and appropriate for the couple to handle the tipping themselves, even if someone else is covering the cost of the wedding.
You can put the tips in labelled envelopes and give them to your event planner to distribute on the day of the wedding.
