Do you tip the DJ?

I didn't realize so much tipping was needed/expected/proper etiquette. To me, anyone who decides how much I pay them for their services doesn't need to be tipped. So if I go to a salon to get my hair did and pay the salon, of course, I will tip the stylist. But if a friend suggests a friend who is great at hair, and she comes to my place to get me ready and decides exactly how much she is charging, to me, that should be it. Another example. If I go to "DJs R Us" and sign a contract and they send me the DJ that is available, I will tip that DJ because I paid the company and not him. But the DJ we are looking at is a couple and this is their private business. So I wouldn't, right? I just did a quick google search after this thread was posted and it was saying $500 or 20% to the wedding planner. She's asking for $4k and now I have to find $600 in cash to give her the day of? Ladies, if this is proper/normal, I will find money or move some things around because I don't want to be rude, but is my thinking flawed? Honestly asking.

I didnt tip my DJ. It never even crossed my mind as a service to tip for! lol

He was great and now I kinda feel bad. He does operate his DJ business himself, so I know that 100% of my fee went to him.

I think it was completely rude for your DJ to imply or suggest that you owe him a tip! He could be a nice guy, but that was in very poor taste.

@Rachel I agree with 100%. I get laser hair treatments every month and this past month noticed they have a tip jar now!

As for the OP I wouldn't tip till the end of the night. H and I brought cash and envelopes. At the end of the night we tip the vendors that we wanted to. Our DJ was not one we tipped. She was really great to work with leading up to the wedding but performance was not great. She didn't work well with the crowd and every time I looked over she was at the bar.

Tipping is always completely optional... and it goes for anyone who provides a "service" whether they own the business or not (Hairdresser, salon, DJ, etc). Your wedding planner may- or may not- own their business, but if she/he is the one who shows up and actually works your wedding... that qualifies as a "tipped position."

BUT- only tip they did an awesome job, and you feel they went above and beyond. Forget about percentages- anything at all is appreciated!

Yes, tipping your vendors is optional, but technically so is tipping your waitress, so...

And it doesn't matter if they're the owner, because the service is the same.

We're tipping:

Set-up staff

Officiant

Bartenders

Servers

Band

DJ

Photog

Not having stylist/MUA, but would def tip if I did. In these instances, I rely less on percentages and more on hours of that individual's time.

Envelopes, as others have mentioned, is the way to go. Give them to your DOC or someone trusted. My mom has graciously offered to handle this for me. ETA: Forgot, also the Venue Host, our caterers, our hula performers, tear down staff. Quick somebody get me that Oprah meme! You get a tip and you get a tip and you get a tip!

So if you are tipping your DJ and photographers how much are you actually tipping?? I want to tip them but I don't want to under tip or over tip if that makes sense lol

Let me help!! I'm a DJ and the owner of the company..While I too remind customers that a tip was not included I do not request one...I simply make sure they know any extensions or gratuities must be paid in cash that night to close out the account.. as for tipping..if he went above and beyond what he claimed he would provide for the price then just like any industry a tip would be great but not a requirement..so it's up to you but wait and see if it's deserved first