The Tip on Tipping
Recently, several of my couples have asked about tips for their wedding vendors so I wanted to address tip culture as it pertains to the wedding industry. Tip culture in the wedding industry can be a bit complex. Many wedding vendors operate as small businesses and set their own prices, so tipping is not always necessary in those cases. However, when working with large companies, especially for day-of attendants who are paid hourly, tipping is recommended as a way to acknowledge their hard work. If a vendor goes above and beyond, a tip is also certainly appreciated as a gesture of gratitude.
That said, cash tips add up, especially after paying out thousands of dollar on a wedding day so money isn’t the only way to show appreciation. Thoughtful letters, small gifts, and positive reviews after the wedding can be even more meaningful. For example, I’ve received a bottle of mango margarita mix simply because I mentioned it’s my favorite drink on my website and I received a care package from a couple’s trip to Thailand because I shared details of my upcoming travel plans there. These personalized acknowledgments mean a lot and show genuine thoughtfulness, which is truly the best thank you when you’ve worked closely with vendors over many months. Reviews are also the BEST because not only do they help us build credibility for future bookings but they assist with SEO ranking which combined help us “earn a tip” through future revenue!
If cash is still your thing, here are some general guidelines you can follow:
Hair/Makeup - double check the contract to make sure this wasn't already applied but typically 10-15%
Catering - double check the contract to make sure this wasn't already applied but typically 10-15%
Bar - double check the contract to make sure this wasn't already applied but typically 10-15% OR they can put out a tip jar
Planners - around $250-500, up to 10%
Florists - around $250-500, up to 10%
Photo/Video/Coordinator/DJ- $100-200 per person
Musicians - $50-100 per person
Officiant - $50-100
Photo Booth or Other Extra Activity Attendants - $50-100
Drop-off Rentals - $20-50 per person
