tip, tip, hooray - the tipping guide you’ve been searching for!

WE HEAR YOU. (Loud and clear) there is a need for a tipping guide- and we are here to do just that! Of all the expenses that come with planning a wedding, gratuity for vendors is one of the most confusing. While many say tipping is at the newlyweds’ discretion, showing some extra love to the people who made your big day a reality — in the form of cold, hard cash — is becoming almost expected with the rapidly increasing “tipping culture”..

WHAT TO TIP

Cash is king. It also ensures gratuity gets divided among the workers if your vendors are working in teams.

There may also be some unofficial vendors you'll want to thank — people who made your wedding special but for whom a cash tip wouldn't be appropriate (or expected). For instance, maybe an event coordinator at your reception site assisted throughout the planning process. For someone like this, sending flowers or a handwritten note can be a nice gesture to show your appreciation. As a reminder, check your contracts! Vendors such as catering and DJs may have the tip included OR a suggested amount.

HOW MUCH TO TIP

A good rule of thumb is to devote 15 percent of your overall wedding budget to gratuity. Some vendors will be tipped based on the total invoice and others per person.

• Beauty Services (hair, makeup, nails): 15-20 % of their total balance

• Catering (if it's not included in the contract, which I am sure it is!): Expected; 15-20% of the total bill

• Bartenders: They will have a tip jar out which will do the job! If you as the client request they do NOT put a tip jar out, it would be expected that the client tips at the end of the night.

• Musicians:

  • Ceremony Musician: Optional; $50

  • DJ: Check your contract! This one is typically listed around 20%

  • Band: Check your contract! Optional; $25-50 per band member or 10-15% of the total fee

• Florist: Not common- Optional; 10-15% of your total floral bill

• Wedding Planner: Optional; 10-20% or a personal gift.

• Photographer: Optional; 10-20%

• Videography: Optional; 10-20%

• Officiant: Optional; $50-100 or you could make a small donation to their religious institution

• Transportation (if it's not included in the contract): Expected; 15-20%

• Any ceremony readers: Optional; A personal gift is a nice touch

WHEN TO TIP

Tips should be distributed by your planner or a designated member of the family or bridal party during the wedding festivities or just after! When gratuity is distributed during the service, people tend to go over and beyond in their responsibilities because you've spent a few extra dollars showing your appreciation (pro tip!). Putting the cash in sealed envelopes addressed to each vendor makes the process seamless!

Of course, any vendors who didn't fulfill their obligations or made the planning process difficult may not deserve a tip. If planning and preparation with a vendor have been a challenge and their attitude could use improvement, you can reconsider tipping.

XO.

B-Rad