AE Tip Guide
Wedding Vendor Tipping Etiquette
One area couples tend to neglect when planning their wedding budget is the subject of tipping. From caterers and waiters to clergy members, it is customary to provide an additional tip on top of the regular costs and rates.
When planning out your budget, be sure to allow an additional amount to the quoted price, so that you aren’t caught unaware and short of cash. Please remember to check your contracts to make sure that gratuity hasn’t already been added into the final balance.
Below is a general idea on the amounts you should set aside for different wedding suppliers. Remember, these amounts are not set in stone. Plan according to your budget and on the level of service you receive from each vendor.
BEAUTY
You should expect to tip these service providers just as you would on a normal visit to a salon. Tips should be 15% – 20% of your total bill.
TRANSPORTATION
Do check to see if a gratuity has been included in their bill as this is often the case with transportation fees for weddings. If not or if you want to reward them for their service on your wedding day then the norm is to tip them 15% – 20% of the total cost of the bill or – $25 – $50 per driver.
WAITERS, WAITRESSES AND SERVICE STAFF
It is not necessary to tip the servers if you have already paid a gratuity in your contracted price. Check to ensure whether gratuity is included in the caterer’s contract. If there is no such provision then you should expect to tip approx $25 per server/bartender.
CATERING/VENUE MANAGER
The service charges that are listed on most catering/venue quotes are not tips for venue managers or catering captains. You should allow $250 – $500 for Venue managers and Catering Captains or $1 – $2 per guest up to 300 guests.
SEAMSTRESS AND ALTERATIONS
Although it is not customary to tip your seamstress or dress fitter if you feel that they have made an extra special effort on your behalf then tip them between $50 – $100.
OFFICIANT
If you are getting married at a church, there is either a set fee for the officiant included in your ceremony rental fee, or you are asked to give a gift (or Honorarium) of $300–$500. If you have hired a minister, traditionally there is no tip given; however, if you would like to thank the officiant for exceptional service, a 10% tip is welcome.
CHURCH MUSICIAN/ORGANIST
This fee is usually included in the rental fee for the church. You should check your paperwork and if this is not the case you should tip them between $25 – $50 per person.
ENTERTAINMENT (LIVE MUSIC, PERFORMERS, DJS, ETC.)
For live musicians whose performance at your reception was exceptional and worthy of a tip then you should allow $20 – $25 per band member. For DJ’s, a 10% tip is the industry standard based upon their performance through out the night.
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
While most photographers/videographers do not expect a tip, if you want to reward them for good work on your wedding day $100 – $200 would be appropriate. Alternatively you can indicate your satisfaction with the photographer’s work by placing a large order for additional prints—they will always greatly appreciate that.
WEDDING PLANNERS
Thank you for thinking of us! Wedding planners work for a set fee and will not expect a tip. If you want to show them how grateful you are for their hard work in planning your wedding, then 10% of their total fee is more than adequate. We also love personal gifts and a glowing online review!