Planning a wedding is an exciting yet intricate process, and one aspect that often gets overlooked is tipping your wedding vendors. Tipping is a way to show appreciation for exceptional service, but knowing whom to tip, how much, and when can be a bit daunting. This guide aims to clarify the tipping etiquette for various wedding vendors to ensure your special day goes smoothly and everyone feels valued. I’m also excited to share insights from some amazing vendors in the industry to shed more light on this subject!

Why WeddingTipping Etiquette Matters

Tipping is a gesture of gratitude for the hard work and dedication that vendors put into making your wedding day perfect. While it’s not always mandatory, it’s a customary practice in many places and industries. A good rule of thumb is to consider the level of service, the difficulty of the job, and your overall wedding budget when deciding how much to tip.

“Vendors set their own prices, why do I have to tip?”

It’s true that small business owners and vendors set their own prices. These prices cover the cost of doing business, including materials, time, labor, continuing education, and cost of living. To add some clarity, tipping expectations vary: some vendors expect tips, while others appreciate them as a gesture of gratitude. It’s never a one-size-fits-all situation.

Sydney from My Event Buddee shared, “Tips are a great incentive for vendors to go above and beyond to please the couple and ‘make things right.’ When couples see the value of our services, tipping should come naturally. Tipping isn’t uniformed and couples should consider a range of tipping amounts that they’re comfortable with.”

Examples of exceptional service can include:

• Being super open in communication


• Having additional meetings


• Being available after hours


• Being a positive aspect of their wedding day


• Building relationships (not just transactional)

What if I don’t have the means to tip?

It’s completely understandable if tipping isn’t in your budget. Emily from Emily Grace Cakes shared, “Tipping is welcomed but not expected. If you don’t have the funds to tip, positive reviews, feedback, and referrals are probably more appreciated than a monetary value – even a thank you card is valuable.”

Sentimental gestures such as gift cards, tickets to concerts or theme parks, or handwritten thank you notes can mean as much, if not more, than a monetary tip.

Is tipping customary?

Jeff from Jeff Thatcher Photography mentioned, “Tipping is pretty customary in most service industries, including weddings. However, I never expect a tip, but always appreciate them. If I get a tip, whether it’s $20, $40, or $100, I’m stoked and genuinely appreciate the gesture. Most will appreciate it either way.”

Erin from Erin Burke Atelier added, “Generally, a tip between 15-25% is customary for the custom cookie industry. While tipping is at your discretion, I always consider factors such as level of service, quantity, complexity of the order, and overall satisfaction. It’s a thoughtful gesture to express appreciation for personalized attention, exception quality, and the effort put into creating unique treats.”

What does that mean for you? 

Tipping your wedding vendors is a personal choice influenced by your budget, satisfaction with the service, and customary practices. While not mandatory, it’s a heartfelt way to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into making your special day perfect.

Remember: Tip what you can, and if tipping isn’t feasible, express your gratitude through positive reviews, referrals, and thoughtful gestures. Your appreciation will be valued, whether it’s monetary or not.

The Wedding Tipping Etiquette Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of the most common wedding vendors and the typical tipping practices for each:

Wedding Planner

• Tipping Range: 15-20% of the service fee.


• When to Tip: At the end of the reception or upon delivery of services.


• Notes: If the planner has gone above and beyond, consider a higher tip or a thoughtful gift.

Caterer/Banquet Staff

• Tipping Range: 15-20% of the total catering bill, or $50-$200 for the head chef and $20-$50 for each server.


• When to Tip: At the end of the reception.


• Notes: Check if the service charge or gratuity is already included in the contract. If so, tipping might not be necessary.

Bartenders

• Tipping Range: 15-20% of the total bar bill


• When to Tip: At the end of the reception.


• Notes: Ensure there is a tip jar available for guests, as it’s common practice.

Hair and Makeup Artists

• Tipping Range: 15-20% of the total bill.


• When to Tip: Upon completion of services.


• Notes: If you have a large bridal party, consider tipping each artist individually.

Officiant

• Tipping Range: $50-$100.


• When to Tip: Before or after the ceremony.


• Notes: For clergy members, consider a donation to their religious institution instead.

Photographer

• Tipping Range: $100-$200 per person.


• When to Tip: At the end of the reception.


• Notes: If the owner of the business is your main photographer, tipping is optional but appreciated.

Videographer

• Tipping Range: $100-$200 per person.


• When to Tip: At the end of the reception


• Notes: If the owner of the business is your main videographer, tipping is optional but appreciated.

Musicians/DJ

• Tipping Range: $40-$100 per musician and $100-$200 for a DJ.


• When to Tip: Immediately following service


• Notes: If they provided exceptional service, feel free to tip more generously.

Florist

• Tipping Range: $50-$100.


• When to Tip: Upon delivery of the flowers.


• Notes: Tipping is optional if the florist owns the shop.

Transportation

• Tipping Range: 15-20% of the total bill


• When to Tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride.


• Notes: Check if gratuity is included in the contract.

Venue Coordinator

• Tipping Range: $50-$100


• When to Tip: At the end of the event.


• Notes: If the venue coordinator has provided extraordinary service, consider a higher tip or a gift.

Rentals/Designers

• Tipping Range: $100-$200.


• When to Tip: At the end of the event.


• Notes: If the rentals coordinator or designer has provided extraordinary service, consider a higher tip or a gift.

Additional Tips for Tipping

• Prepare in Advance: Put tips in labeled envelopes before the wedding day to avoid any last-minute confusion.


• Delegate: Assign a trusted friend or family member to distribute tips on the wedding day.


• Consider Non-Monetary Tips: If your budget is tight, a heartfelt thank you note or a small gift can also be a meaningful gesture.

My Event Buddee kindly provided their Tipping Best Practices Document. Just click on the photo to download the PDF!

Final Thoughts

Tipping your wedding vendors is a personal decision and should be based on the quality of service you received. While this guide provides general guidelines, always consider your unique situation and budget. Ultimately, showing appreciation for those who help bring your dream wedding to life goes a long way in ensuring everyone feels valued and respected. If you’re looking for some more planning resources, feel free to check out my other blog, Crafting The Perfect Wedding Timeline.

Happy planning!