How much are you tipping who?

I hadn't given this too much thought, the caterer includes gratuity so we're just paying that since its easy!

But i would look up etiquette on tipping on google. I'll eventually need to figure this out too, so I'm definitely following this thread!

I've looked things up and depending on the site the ranges are quite large so was just seeing what all the WW ladies and gents are doing :0)

Gratuity is included in our catering and bartending services. Photographer $100 and DJ I think we will see how it goes? $50-$100? Hair and make-up 10%-15%. I'm not sure about tipping our officiant yet.

I think it's BS to tip the vendors LOL I'm paying them enough, aren't I? LOL I don't understand tipping at all nor have we discussed/thought about it.

@FutureMrsZottola - Tipping vendors is recommended if they don't own the company that is being paid. Much like tipping a waiter; their hourly rate is paid by the restaurant, and they get to pocket your tip. Catering and MUA would often fall into this category.

But if the individual owns the company, they set the price they want to be paid and tipping beyond that is unnecessary. For example, I will not be tipping my photographer because she owns that company. Every penny I pay for photography goes directly to her.

Oregon hit the nail on the head...... i will most likely still tip the people who own their companies but much less than someone who doesnt.....thats the way i look at it

I won't be tipping my photographer or DJ because they both own their own company. The servers receive a 20% gratuity included in the cost of the catering so no further tip there. I'll be giving the parking attendants $25 each (they'll be there for an hour) and I'm giving the venue wedding coordinator $100 probably. I don't have a hair and makeup person yet but that will be approximately 10-15%.

Basically, if they own the company, I'm not going to tip them. I'm already paying them the full amount of our contract. If they don't own the company or aren't receiving a tip already, I'll tip them.

My cousin (who works in the event business) got back to me and said the going rate for servers & bartenders is an extra hour pay. He said that the photographers and DJs never get tipped!

For those that say if they own their own company they are not tipping - what would you do with my photog situation? The main is the owner and he brings another photographer along with an assistant (the assistant just helps round up people, fix hair, give alcohol to those who need it!)

And while my DJ owns his company, his assistant who will be manning the photobooth does not

Why does this have to be so confusing?!

We are doing photographer - $150 (it's a husband/wife duo)

Videographer - $100

DJ - $100

On site coordinator - $100

An extra $25 cash to each server, there is 15% grat in our contract also.

We are also giving the 2 bartenders $100 to split to get their night started right. (We are also bartenders)

Oh & limo - $40

Hair & MUA 20%

Hair & Makeup - Probably around 20-25%, maybe more.

Photographers - I probably will not tip as the photographer owns the company and her husband is the second shooter

Band - We are having a 7-piece jazz band so providing them with food is pretty expensive. I might tip $100 but we'll see.

Officiant - Not sure, still deciding

Servers/bartenders - Our bill contains a service charge that goes to the staff and the venue told us not to tip unless someone in particular goes above and beyond.

Florist - We have to pick up our flowers as it costs an INSANE amount for them to deliver on a Sunday, so no tip

Cake Baker - Not sure, the woman owns her own company, but if the cake is amazing I think I might tip some if I can catch her.

I have a question! err a few questions...

WHEN do I tip these vendors? Our caterer shouldn't take too long to set up, maybe 30 minutes tops. Do I just give them an envelope before they leave??? or send them something. Who do I give it too if there are multiple people for one vendor?

Oh, and do I tip in cash or check or how does that work? ahhh

I feel terrible because we never were able to tip our vendors. I feel like including it in the thank you cards, but is that weird?

Our catering charged gratuity. But I still would like to tip the DOC, the hairstylist, our DJ, and our photographers.

The only vendor that I have that doesn't own their own business is my caterer and my hairdresser. I have already included the gratuity with the caterer's final payment. As for my hair she's being paid but she's also a bridesmaid so it's a little confusing there. She'd probably laugh in my face if I tried to tip her lol

Some rules of thumb for the tip amounts certain wedding vendors should receive:

Makeup artists, drivers and hairstylists generally get 15-20% of their operating budget.

Bartenders get 10 percent of the total liquor bill, to be split among them, while servers get $20 each.

Photographers and videographers usually get a $100 flat fee.

@Miss P...if you have a DOC then give the envelopes to her to disburse. If not, choose someone from your wedding party or someone else you trust to disburse them. With the caterers, why is your caterer going to be leaving? In most cases they stay the whole time while people are eating. Also, in that case, you would give the envelope with the supervisor. I would also do cash in bills that would be easily separated between people.