Tips on Tipping Your Wedding Vendors

Photo Credit: Bree Wooliscroft Photography

When planning and budgeting for your wedding, it’s wise to include which vendors you are tipping and how much you’ll give. Tipping is a great way to acknowledge excellent service and showcase your appreciation for their products and services.  

That said, tipping is not necessarily obligatory, and there’s no exact number for how much you’re expected to give. You can tip as much or as little as you want, depending on the level of service you get and how satisfied you are. Plus, there are some cases where you can completely skip giving the bonus. 

Here is a little guide to help you navigate gratuity on your special day.  

1. Caterers 

Many catering companies include gratuity in their contract but do your due diligence to confirm. If the tip is not included, plan on tipping the catering manager, servers, bartenders, chefs and other relevant staff members, including any other necessary staff, to provide your guests with the best service. 

A good rule of thumb is to calculate the tip as a percentage of the total food bill, pre-taxed. You can plan to pay about 15% to 20% of the amount for the catering manager to share with the other staff. Or, for a more economical method, you can offer a flat amount for each caterer.  

Typical tips include $100 to $200 for the catering manager, $50 for each chef, and $30 for each server and kitchen staff, divided into separate envelopes. You can pay the tips to the catering company ahead of time or hand them to the catering manager near the end of the event. 

2. Beverage Company 

If you work with a beverage company like Peak Beverage, you can have them include a gratuity in your contract to be divided among the staff. It is never automatically included. Peak's package pricing includes a bar manager, bartenders and support staff. You can allow tip jars, but with hosted bars, clients often prefer to treat their guests to a fully hosted experience.  

A great way to determine an appropriate tip for your beverage company is to use the subtotal on the contract. You can pay about 15% to 20% of the subtotal. You can pay the tips ahead of time or give them to the bar manager near the end of the event. Make sure to check that the tip was or was not automatically added to your bill! 

3. Spruce Mountain Property Manager 

Your property manager is a key person behind your event. They support your wedding planner and coordinate with your caterers and your Peak Beverage crew. When it comes to tipping these professionals, there is no typical amount to resort to since they have an all-in rate and set of responsibilities. Thus, give according to what feels comfortable to you.  

A Spruce Mountain Property Manager ensures that your event is seamless, the venue is immaculate, your vendors communicate effectively, and your guests feel at home. They typically work a 12-hour day for your event, and any amount of gratuity is greatly appreciated.  

4. Florist 

A florist’s work can bring your venue to life. While it is not explicitly necessary to tip your florists, if you can’t imagine your wedding without its flowers, it might be nice to show them some appreciation. A tip of around $50 to $100 is appropriate if you feel your florist has gone above and beyond for your nuptials.  

5. Photographers and Videographers 

Photographers and videographers are vital to your wedding, as they capture all the special moments and help you remember everything forever. An average tip should be around $150 per vendor, though you can splurge more if they provide exemplary photos and videos.  

If a team includes several photographers and videographers, consider tipping each $50 to $100 instead. Such gratuity ensures you recognize everyone’s hard work in commemorating your special day. 

6. Musicians and DJs 

Photo Credit: Stephanie Messick Photography 

All weddings need the right playlist, and it is essential to thank your musical talents with a tip. If you think they charged less than the entertainment's worth, a 10% to 15% tip is great. 

The gratuity is especially appreciated if they are bringing a lot of sound equipment to your event. In terms of the flat rate, a $25 to $50 tip per band member is appropriate. If you're too busy after their performance, you can assign someone to hand them the extra bills.  

7. Wedding Coordinator 

Tipping wedding planners is trickier because there is no general rule about it, and they already take up plenty of your budget. However, if you feel like yours has gone above and beyond, a wonderful way to show your gratitude is with a tip of 10% to 20%.  

Though a monetary tip is simplest, you can give them a gift certificate or send flowers. You can also send a handwritten note that thanks them for all their hard work. Your planner will treasure it! 

8. Stylist and Makeup Artists 

Hair and makeup must be on point during your wedding day. If your stylists and artists do a stellar job, tip them similarly to what you would for a regular appointment, which would come down to about 15% or so. 

That said, getting married is a special occasion. You can stretch it to 25% if you are feeling extra generous and if they have made you especially radiant for your big day. Remember to recommend them to other brides-to-be, too, to boost their service.  

9. Officiants 

Most priests, ministers, rabbis or other religious officiants may not accept cash tips, even if they marry you or provide premarital counseling. However, you can thank them by donating about $100 to their house of worship or organization. 

If you belong to the church your officiant is from, perhaps show your appreciation through a gift, such as a certificate to a nice restaurant. You can do the same for nonreligious officiants, like a close family friend or member, where tipping may make less sense as well.  

10. Transportation 

Wedding transportation is another important piece to make sure you get to your venues and ceremony on time. A 15% tip is reasonable for the service, but remember that it is totally up to you, especially if gratuity is already included in your contract. 

If you have a variety of limos, shuttles or other cars to help transport your guests, you can divide and personally tip your drivers what you would have given to the business owners. You can also assign caterers to give them a meal as an extra thank you.  

11. Cake Baker 

If your cake is especially elaborate or you are impressed by the baker’s work, you can tip the cake baker $50 to $100. However, tipping the baker is not typically necessary. Instead, you can send them a genuine thank-you card or another monetary gift, like a gift certificate. You can also recommend them to other couples or people looking for cake for a special occasion. Ask for a few business cards and spread the word about your amazing cake. 

Practice Wedding Tipping 

Similar to how you’d never leave a great restaurant without tipping, remember to exercise gratuity with your wedding vendors. If there are service charges or they do not accept the bonus, remember to leave your appreciation with a thank-you note or positive review online instead. You’ll give your vendors a boost and help them enhance more people’s big days! 

Author bio: Cora Gold is a wedding writer and editor of Revivalist magazine. She aims to inspire couples to achieve the wedding of their dreams. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.