Planning a wedding means you have to sort through many details. One of the things to consider is how to show appreciation to the vendors you’re working with. Is it appropriate to tip the people you hire, and if so, how much should you give them?
Tipping is a subject that many people are uncomfortable discussing, which makes it difficult to be certain about the ground rules. But there’s no reason it should be intimidating. At Green Acres Event Center, we’ve helped many couples plan their dream weddings without stress. Let us walk you through tipping expectations so you can navigate them without worry.
Tipping Guidelines for Various Wedding Vendors
By definition, tipping is an optional way to show your appreciation. However, in certain situations, it’s typically expected, so you don’t want to skip it and take the chance of making a vendor worry that they’ve disappointed you. Fortunately, there are some guidelines to help you along the way.
In general, it’s not expected that you’ll tip people who are owners of a large business. However, their employees and owners of small businesses are usually open to receiving tips. Whether you give a monetary gift to express your gratitude or not, all vendors will appreciate a sincere thank you note and a positive online review.
It’s usually best to deliver your tip at the end of the night, but in some cases, such as with a photographer or videographer, it’s reasonable to wait until they deliver the final product after the wedding. To help you decide who to tip, here are some general expectations for different types of vendors.
Wedding Planner/Coordinator
About half of the couples who use a wedding planner tip them, but it isn’t necessarily expected. If you do choose to tip yours, plan to give them between 10 and 20% of the total bill, up to $500. One good option in this case is to show your appreciation with a gift instead of a monetary tip.
Catering Staff
A tip is usually expected for the catering staff, but it may be included in your bill. If it isn’t, it’s appropriate to give them 15 to 20% of the subtotal of your food cost for catering. It’s a good idea to give the money to the manager of the staff to ensure it’s evenly distributed.
Photographer/Videographer
The usual fee is generally all that’s expected in this case, especially if the photographer is the studio owner. If the person you’re working with is an employee of a larger studio, consider giving them $50 to $200 to express your appreciation.
Musicians/DJs
It’s appropriate to recognize these performers with a tip. For a band, provide $25 to $50 per performer. A DJ should receive 10 to 20% of the total bill for their service.
Officiant
If your officiant is a religious leader, it’s appropriate to donate to their house of worship – generally in the range of $100 to $500. A smaller tip of $50 to $100 directly to the officiant is also appreciated.
Hair and Makeup Artists
Just as you’d expect to provide a tip in a salon, expressing gratitude with cash to the people who make you look flawless on your wedding day is a good idea. The rule of thumb is 15 to 20% of the bill.
Factors to consider when determining tip amount
Before you tip any of your vendors, be sure to take a close look at your contracts. Some of them may have the tip included in the bill already. If so, you don’t have to worry about an extra tip on top of what you’re already paying.
Once you’ve figured out who you plan to tip, make sure to include the amount in your budget, so you aren’t surprised by the expense at the last minute.
Photo by: Afton Joy Photo
The Perfect Venue for Your Special Day: Green Acres Event Center
As you’re planning your perfect day, we invite you to come see how we can help you create the wedding of your dreams. We would love to show you our stunning barn-style venue and explain all the ways we can make your day go smoothly. Not only do we provide a breathtaking space, but we also include lots of amenities that make planning your wedding easy. We boast a temperature-controlled dual-level venue, perfect for year-round events along with a sound system, on-site parking, lounge furniture, eclectic décor, hospitality suite, and outdoor spaces. Contact us to learn more about Green Acres Event Center and take a tour of our venue.
