This is the moment where you are probably thinking to yourself, OMG do I really have to be tipping wedding vendors after spending all this money? The truth is, the wedding industry is a service industry, and just like when you are being served a 3-course meal, there is a team of individuals behind that waiter/waitress making your incredible experience possible.

The cost of your “meal” (invoice) covers the bills for running the business, rent, wages, supplies, transportation, website fees, and overall administrative management required to deliver a quality product or service to you. The tip is that little extra boost to the individuals on the ground bringing your vision to life. Tips are 100% kept by the employees/contractors carrying out the work whereas the cost of the “meal” goes straight to the business itself and then filtered down.

Each of these vendors offers a personalized service or product for your special day. While tipping wedding vendors is not an obligation, it is greatly appreciated when great service is received. When considering the amount to tip, consider the number of hours they will be working on your wedding day (simple cake drop off vs. being onsite for 12 hours), how many staff they provide, and the complexities it may bring (parking, multiple locations, large bridal party, long hours, etc…).

Gratuities should be handed out on the day of the wedding in a sealed envelope or sent via Venmo by the end of the vendor’s shift. If you prefer Venmo, your wedding planner can get the vendor’s handles in advance, just let them know! Be sure to plan to give the envelopes to your planning team the morning of your wedding for easy (and documented) distribution.

Across the board for all vendors, Cash or Venmo is preferred. If a check is written, assure it’s directly to the individual, NOT the business. If written out to the business, they will need to report it as sales income and pay the appropriate tax for it which defeats the purpose of showing appreciation to the direct individuals onsite.

Hair and Makeup Artist (half day): *Expected* Just as you’d go to the salon to get your hair and nails done, they’re similarly providing beautifying services! Gratuity is expected here; a service standard is 15%.

Wedding Planner/Designer (pre-planning): *Expected* This is similar to any of the service-based vendors but different from wedding coordination teams (below). If you opt for more help in your planning process, a wedding planner is your right hand, your advocate, and the individual who has likely been a part of everything from the start (or near it). Arguably your longest and strongest vendor connection, and that warrants some love! If your planner provided ease during the planning journey, vendor hookups and savings amidst your contracting, and a job well done from the designing and curating of your vision through to the seamless execution of the wedding day, a gratuity of 10-20% is appropriate!

Wedding Coordinator (logistic wrap-up + execution): *Appreciated* Not everyone hires a partial or full-service planner! While you may have done most of the planning, chances are your coordinator and team swooped in to provide organization, lifted your stress woes, and guided you to the finish line! If you feel they did a great job in their wrap-up and servicing you on the wedding day, a little love their way is greatly appreciated. Depending on your package size, a monetary (or non-monetary) gift is a great way to show your appreciation. A gratuity of 10% is appropriate to share amongst their team.

Photographer and Videographer (contract-dependent): *Appreciated* Gratuity is recommended as they provide you the service of capturing every minute of your day and spending the weeks after staring at a screen editing each of your special moments. $200-$500 per company will suffice and is often split amongst their shooters.

Catering and Reception Staff (8+ hours): *Expected* Reception Staff will often have a small gratuity built into their contract. It will need to say “gratuity”, not “service fees”, as these are administrative company fees the businesses umbrella term for administrative support and operational costs. If gratuities aren’t listed, use the standard 10-20% of the food and drink bill only (not the services/taxes + fees).

Bar (8+ hours): *Expected* The same can go for the bar as with catering, they may have gratuity already built into their contract. If not, you want to do the same and add a standard 10-20% of the total drink bill. You could also consider providing a tip jar for the bartenders to display on the bar so that guests can be the ones to tip them as they get drinks throughout the night. Some may provide their own jar, if you DON’T want a tip jar out, be sure to tell your planner/coordinator.

Entertainment, Emcee, and DJ (8+ hours): *Appreciated* Tipping your entertainment, emcee or DJ is recommended. Base your tip on the quality of the job they did during the wedding. The standard is between $150-$300 for DJ/emcee teams and $50-$100 for musicians.

Florist (contract dependent): *Appreciated* The florist is a vendor that doesn’t require a tip and won’t expect it. However, like any other vendor, if you feel like their designer spent time customizing your vision and your labor installation requires them to go above and beyond – then gratuity is a great way to show them appreciation. A $100-$300 tip is a thoughtful way to say thank you for all of their hard work regardless of your floral budget.

Officiant (1-hr): *Appreciated* If your officiant is affiliated with a church or synagogue donate to that institution or send a written thank-you. Non-denominational officiants or judges do not require a tip, though they just got you married and have beautifully bound you for life! If you are happy with your celebrant, a $100 tip is appreciated.

Transportation (half day): *Expected* Gratuity is usually included in the contract. If not, a standard 15% is suitable.

Wedding Delivery, Set-up, Bellhop, Valet and Reception Attendants: *Appreciated* Just as you would in moving or vacation, slip the workers a few dollars during the setup/breakdown. If your wedding planner will be utilizing a bellhop or valet service to transport set-up items, be sure to give them enough for both delivery and drop-off at the end of the night. A general gratuity envelope of 1’s, 5’s and 10’s is best.

For all other vendors and just in general use your discretion based on the service you received. If you found they exceeded your expectations, show them! Let us know if this blog was helpful, we always love to hear from you.

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