Tipping and weddings – I’ve been asked a few times now about whom should the bridal party tip and how much, so I did some research online and have come up with the following. I should say that I have gleaned this information from David Tutera and also Martha Stewart Weddings, so I’m thinking if Martha said it – its law, and if David is doing it – it’s got to be fabulous.
All tips should be in cash. If you’re tipping an employee of a company because they have gone above and beyond for you, their tip needs to be in a separate envelope. Also, no person should receive more than a $100 tip. Make sure you wait to tip your vendors until just before your vendor leaves so you can judge just how much to tip.
So, who should you tip and just how much:
Parking Attendants – this is something you need to arrange previous to the wedding. Guestimate how many cars will be arriving and plan on anywhere from $.50 – $1.00 per car. If you decide to take care of this – you should put a sign up for your guests letting them know you’ve taken care of the gratuity.
DJs – if you have one DJ – usually plan on $25 – $50, if you have 2 DJs (DJ and MC), giving each person in separate envelopes $50 should be sufficient.
Wait Staff – this one can be tricky. Usually it’s included in the contact, but if you have a wait staff or a member of the wait staff who just knocks your socks off with their service, figure 10 – 15% of the total catering bill.
Bartenders – If the venue has a tip jar out – don’t bother with tipping bartenders. I know of some venues that automatically put that out – even though they include gratuity with the bill. If your venue hasn’t included the gratuity and hasn’t set out a tip jar – then it’s usually 10% of the total bar bill.
Makeup artists or Hair Stylists – if you are paying for them to come to you, tips are not necessary. However, if you are going to the salon, you should tip them 15%. Remember, if they come to you – they make the money, if you go to the salon, the salon makes the money.
Now the following are optional. In other words – only tip if you feel they did an outstanding job.
Wedding Planner – If the planner owns the company it’s optional, but most wedding planners are tipped 10% of the contract.
Ceremony Musicians – $5 per hour, per person – give this to the musician in charge and remember – if they are at your rehearsal – you owe them for this also.
Banquet or Catering Manager – This is only given if they’ve thrown in extras or saved you a few hundred dollars on your bill – they usually get tipped between $25 – $50.
Photographers and Videographers – Again, this depends if they own the company. If so, then it’s optional. If they are employees then it’s 10-15% of the package price and it goes to the head photographer and they can distribute portions to any help they bring.
Officiate – Well, this one is a tricky one. I’ve heard that to tip them is an insult and considered bad etiquette. I’ve also heard to NOT tip is bad form – Martha seemed to believe that if you wish – you should make a contribution to the church and at a minimum should be $75. If you using a judge or someone who has no church affiliation, then a tip isn’t necessary.
Florist – If you have a florist who isn’t charging you for set up and delivery, then an extra tip for that is acceptable. Usually $5 per delivery location is sufficient, although with gas prices exploding Martha may need to update that one.
Wedding Cake Baker – You usually don’t tip the baker, however, if like the florist they don’t charge a delivery and set up fee, then $10 is enough.
Remember, if you’re using a wedding planner, they should be the one responsible for delivering all the tips and payments due on your wedding day. If you’re not using a wedding planner, then your best man or the Father of the Bride will do – try not to have to take care of this yourself, this is your day – ENJOY IT! And if you don’t give tips, remember a thank you card is awesome to receive.
Debbi
Limo Drivers – 15% of the limo bill – hand this at the end of the service.Alter boys or girls – $5 or $10 each.