SHOULD I TIP MY WEDDING VENDORS?
“Should I tip my wedding vendors? How much is appropriate?”
One of the most sensative questions that couples ask is with regards to tipping, gifting, and gratuity. My standard answer for over 20 years has been, “Gratuity and gifting is never expected, but always appreciated.” I mean that with all my heart, but I know that the statement does not answer the question. The fact is that my clients are incredibly generous, and they want to show the team just how much they truly appreciate their efforts and work. As a client, you want to say thank you and show your a gratitude to the dedicated and imaginative professionals who invest their time, passion, and effort into bringing your dream wedding day to fruition.
How much is enough? Or too much? Is cash always king, or are there other ways to show your thanks to those who have broght your vision to life?
The beauty of tipping is that it doesn't always have to be in the form of cash – there are myriad ways to express your appreciation to your vendors.
Let’s start with this: Who seserves a tip? In essence, any vendor providing services on your big day can be deserving of a tip, particularly if you've been exceptionally impressed with their performance. If someone has done somethng extraordinary to make you or your guests feel special, then they are absolutely worthy.
The list of potential recipients includes, but is not limited to:
Wedding Planner and The Team of Coordinators: 10–15% of their fee, or a gift
Photographers / videographers: $50 - $200 per person onsite
Officiant: $50 - $100
Florist: 5-10% of your total floral bill or a fun gift card
Hair & Makeup: 15 - 20% of total
Transportation: $20 - $50 per driver
Musicians: $25 - $50 per musician / DJ: $50 - $250
Photo Booth: $50 per person onsite
Caterers: $50 - $100 per person
Wait Staff $50 - $100 per person
Photo Booth Operators: $50 - $100 per person
Artists and Performers: $50 - $100 per person
Many people wonder if a wedding planner who owns the business should be tipped. I may be partial, but I say yes, of course. Your wedding planner is the only person who cares about your wedding as much as you do, and a token of thanks will be forever appreciated by them. The other vendor that couples sometimes wonder about are the catering team and wait staff. Often times, your Banquet Event Order (BEO) will show an 18% - 23% gratuity. Some, but not all of this, will go to the waitstaff, and any server who takes care of you will appreciate a token of thanks.
These guidelines are meant to provide a general framework, but it's important to tailor your tipping amounts according to your budget and the quality of service you've received. Keep in mind that expressing gratitude can take various forms, such as heartfelt thank-you notes or considerate gifts, which can go a long way in showing your appreciation to your wedding vendors. You can distribute tips once services are complete, either on the day of the event or afterward. If you know that you plan to give cash gratuitites, I highly recommend that you place the funds in labeled envelopes and provide them to your wedding planner in advance. I always have my team write the amount of money they have received on the envelope, sign it, and return it to me. This allows me to keep track of the funds and provide my clients with receipts as needed.
You may be wondering how else you can support your creative team and vendors after the wedding. One highly meaningful way is to write public reviews for each of your vendors on Google, The Knot, etc. These reviews serve as a special token of gratitude for the hard work they invested in making your big day memorable. Furthermore, your reviews can make a significant impact on future brides and grooms who are planning their weddings. Your detailed descriptions of the services provided and their role in your event can be invaluable.
Pro Tip: Be thorough in your reviews, providing as much detail as possible about the services rendered and how they contributed to your event's success.
Above all, the most significant gesture you can make is expressing your thankfulness and letting your vendors know how much you appreciate their dedication.
Remember, tipping is a way to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication that vendors put into making your wedding day a remarkable one. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference in showing your gratitude for their contribution.
Do you plan to give gratuities to your team? Do you have any questions about the process or the way in which you should handle gifting? Let me know in the comments below.
Always…Andrea