George Boyle
Tipping at all-inclusive wedding venues is a common practice, but the amount you tip can vary depending on several factors. It's important to first check your contract to see if gratuity is included and to identify which vendors are employees of the venue and which are independent contractors. While it's not customary to tip business owners, small business owners who go above and beyond may be tipped as a kind gesture. For venue employees such as waitstaff, bartenders, and coordinators, $20–$30 per person or 15–20% of the food and drink fee is standard. For other vendors like photographers, DJs, and florists, tipping 15% of their rate is a good guideline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tipping at all-inclusive wedding venues | Optional, based on the quality of service provided |
| Who to tip | Catering staff (bartenders, waiters, kitchen staff), venue staff, drivers, and vendors who are not business owners |
| Who not to tip | Business owners (florists, photographers, officiants, DJs, wedding planners/venue owners) |
| Amount to tip | $20-$25 per bartender or waiter, $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants, $1 per car, 15-20% of the food and drink fee, $200-$300 for the maitre d', $10-$20 per delivery, $50-$100 for on-site setup/tear down, 15-20% of the pre-tax total, $100 for wedding planner |
| When to tip | At the end of the reception, or at the beginning to encourage good service |
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What You'll Learn
Tipping venue staff, including waiters, bartenders, and parking attendants
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. It's also worth checking your contract to see if a tip is included. If gratuity is not included, it's customary to tip venue staff, including waiters, bartenders, and parking attendants.
For waiters, it's recommended to tip $20–30 per person or 15–20% of the total food and beverage cost, unless it's already included in your bill. This should be divided up among the servers and staff. It's best to give the money to the manager to distribute, or you could give it to them personally after the reception.
For bartenders, it's suggested to tip 15–20% of the drink fee, to be split among the bartenders, unless gratuity is included in your package. If it isn't included, a tip of a few dollars per guest is appropriate. As with waiters, it's best to give the tip to the head bartender at the end of the reception, or give it to the manager to distribute.
Valet parking attendants are also traditionally given tips. Couples often tip parking attendants themselves so that guests don't have to, and a sign can be posted to notify guests of this. A good formula for valet parking attendant tipping is $1–5 per car, split between the attendants.
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How much to tip the DJ and photographer
Tipping at weddings is a way to show vendors your appreciation for their hard work and can even be an unexpected surprise. It is important to first check your contract to see if gratuity is included, and also to be aware of local customs and guidelines. For example, in the US, it is not customary to tip business owners, as they set their rates to include what they need for the service.
How much to tip the DJ
Tipping a wedding DJ is optional but preferred. DJs provide music and often act as an MC for the event. Some DJs work solo, while others bring sound technicians or other providers who should also be included when tipping. The amount you tip can depend on the total cost of the service, with $50 to $150 being a good range. If you are tipping a percentage, 10-15% of their fee is typical, or up to 20% if they have gone above and beyond.
How much to tip the photographer
Photographers are generally not expected to be tipped beyond their normal fees, especially if they own the studio. However, if the photographer doesn't own the studio, consider tipping each person or giving a certain amount to the main shooter to disperse to their staff. Tips are generally very much appreciated, and you can give anywhere from $50 to $200 per person, depending on the skill level of their work. If you don't want to give cash, a nice gift or sending professional photos after the wedding are other ways to show your gratitude.
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Whether to tip the wedding planner
Tipping customs vary even within the United States, and wedding planners can advise on the customary wedding gratuity etiquette in your area. They can also help you organise your tip envelopes before the wedding and distribute them on the day.
If your wedding planner owns the venue, it is usually not necessary to tip them. However, if your wedding planner is not the owner, you may want to consider tipping them. Wedding planners can be tipped at a rate of 15% of their total fee, or you can give them a gift after the wedding.
If you are getting married outside the US, ask your wedding planner about local tipping customs and guidelines. It is also important to tip in the local currency when providing cash tips.
In addition to cash tips, you can thank your wedding planner by sharing professional photos from your wedding. Wedding planners need photos of their work for marketing materials, so getting permission from your photographer to provide these images is a great way to show your appreciation. Tagging vendors when sharing photos on social media is another way to express your gratitude.
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When to tip—before or after the service
Tipping etiquette for an all-inclusive wedding venue can be tricky, and it's important to consider when to tip – before or after the service. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you navigate this aspect of your wedding planning:
Before the Wedding:
It is recommended to review your contracts with all vendors and the venue itself to understand if gratuity or service charges are included. A service fee is different from gratuity, so it's essential not to confuse the two. This step will help you avoid accidentally tipping twice or assuming that gratuity is included when it isn't. Knowing this information beforehand will help you plan your budget and allocate funds for tipping accordingly.
During the Wedding:
While it is traditional to pass out tips at the end of the event, some suggest distributing tips at the beginning of the evening to motivate all the workers to provide excellent service throughout the wedding. This approach is entirely optional and depends on your preference. If you choose to tip during the wedding, you can delegate this task to a trusted friend, family member, or a member of the wedding party to ensure a smooth process.
After the Wedding:
If you decide to tip after the service, it is customary to provide monetary tips at the end of the wedding night, preferably before vendors such as photographers, videographers, or musicians depart. For staff delivering flowers, chairs, cakes, and other necessities, it is recommended to tip at the end of each drop-off, with the amount depending on the service provided. For example, a more complex or time-consuming setup may warrant a higher tip. Chauffeurs or drivers are also tipped after their services are completed, typically at the end of the final ride of the evening.
It is worth noting that some vendors, such as florists, photographers, and officiants, may be independent contractors who own their businesses and set their prices. In such cases, tipping may not be necessary, but you can consider sending a gift or making a donation to their place of worship if they are members of the clergy.
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Whether to tip business owners
Tipping etiquette at weddings can be confusing, especially when it comes to all-inclusive venues. While it is customary to tip venue staff such as waiters, bartenders, and day-of coordinators, the question of whether to tip business owners is more nuanced.
Traditionally, it was not customary to tip business owners, as they set their own prices and fees for their services. This includes vendors such as photographers, videographers, florists, and DJs, who are often business owners and are not expected to be tipped. However, some modern sources suggest that it is becoming more common to offer a token of appreciation to small business owners, especially if they have gone above and beyond in providing exceptional service. This could be in the form of a tip, a gift certificate, a small gift, or a heartfelt thank-you note.
When it comes to photographers and videographers, while they are typically business owners and thus not required to be tipped, it is becoming more common to offer a tip if you are pleased with their service. This is especially true if they are part of a larger organization or if they are the owner and the service provider, as they will be working on your photos and videos long after the wedding day. A tip of $50-$200 is generally appropriate, depending on the extent of the job.
For florists, while they are also business owners, gratuity is now often appreciated for their services. A tip of around 10% of the total invoice is common, and this can be given at the end of the reception if the florist is still on-site, or sent to the lead florist after the wedding.
Ultimately, tipping is about rewarding excellent service and showing your appreciation. If you feel a particular vendor has gone above and beyond, you may choose to offer a tip or a gift, even if they are a business owner. It is always a nice gesture to express your gratitude, and you can decide what form that takes based on your experience and budget.
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Frequently asked questions
It is generally not customary to tip vendors at an all-inclusive wedding venue, especially if they are business owners. However, if you feel that a vendor has gone above and beyond, you may choose to offer a token of appreciation, such as a gift or a tip.
It is usually recommended to tip the venue staff, including servers, bartenders, and catering staff. For other vendors, such as photographers, DJs, and florists, tipping is often not necessary, especially if they are independent contractors or own their own businesses.
The amount you tip may depend on the services provided and the number of staff. Standard tips for bartenders and waiters range from $20 to $25 per person, while coat room and parking attendants typically receive $1 per guest. For the maitre'd, a tip of $200 to $300 is generally considered appropriate. If you are tipping a percentage of the total bill, 15-20% is commonly recommended.
