Tipping your wedding vendors is not required, but always appreciated. If you are extremely pleased, a 15-20% tip of the service price is a generous tip. If you are like the rest of society, and feeling the “tipping fatigue”, we recommend tipping anyone who is “guest facing”. If they are working directly with guests/bridal party, or you feel as though they are/have gone above and beyond their contracted duties, a tip is appropriate. Tipping is always up to your discretion, but here is a good starting place:

PLANNER/COORDINATOR

However you see fit!

PHOTO/VIDEO

10% of the pre-tax service fee OR $100-250 for lead photographer, $50 for 2nd photographer

HAIR/MAKEUP

Check the contract, as it may be included. If not, 15-20% of the pre-tax service fee is appropriate at the conclusion of service. Distribution may vary based on number of artists

CATERING

Check contract beforehand

Service fee ≠ Gratuity

$20-50 per service member, $50-100 per bartender or chef, $100-250 per lead

OR

15-20% of total food cost pre-tax + fees

Bartenders are paid a fair wage, so tip jars at the bar are not necessary. If you asks bartenders to not put out tip jars, the expectation is they will receive a tip from the client directly

DJ/BAND/MUSICIANS

$50-100 per band member/lead

$20-50 per strings band member for ceremony/cocktail hour

$50-100 for DJ OR 5-10% of pre-tax service fee

TRANSPORTATION

Check Contract before hand - it may be included and is most likely expected

15-20% of pre-tax service fee at end of service

OFFICIANT

This service is typically a church worker or friend/family and officiating for free.

$100-250 is appropriate OR similar gift

OTHER VENDORS

Venue - not expected

Hotel - not expected

Stationary Design - $25-50

Rental Delivery - not expected but appreciated for large rentals

Florist - not expected, but appreciated

Cake - not expected, but appreciated

OVERALL

With all vendors, if you are pleased with their service, a 5 star google/yelp/theknot/etc. review and a note of praise is invaluable. If your experience is anything less than 5 star, please reach out to them privately or let your planner/coordinator know

DELIVERY

If you would like your planner/coordinator to disperse tips, dispersing cash into individually labeled envelopes prior to the wedding day is the best plan. Give these to your coordinator at the rehearsal so she can deliver to each vendor at the end of their service.

If you would like to disperse these personally, you can either do so throughout the wedding day or prior to the event via check or venmo. We recommend at minimum tipping catering/bartending with cash the night of of event, as it is easier for for the lead catering team to disperse these tips to their team on the night of