Etiquette question: Should you give your vendors thank you gifts?

I like the idea of the thank you gift but isn't it customary to give a tip after they've completed their service?

Just tip them.

I think a good tip would be more appreciated than a gift. so the money you would have spent on the gift can go to more of a tip for them.

I gave them a tip in a thank you card.

Just do a cash tip in a thank you card

Tip and a nice thank you is always appreciated

After 1,000s of dollars spent for their service nothing extra is required or expected. When I was a caterer, we were paid by the hour out of the money the wedding party paid. We didn't expect anything extra. 3 times out of the 7 years I did this I got tipped. The tip was always the same. 10 dollars per person on the catering team.

Thank you card and tip is always nice.

I have never heard of this. Absolutely no gifts for vendors. Tip if you need to.

I think it depends on the relationship you've forged with them, and whether you feel they went over the top for you. Tips, while not necessary, are always appreciated; detailed reviews are wonderful.

One of my couples gave me a beautiful modern hourglass; I'd included an hourglass themed reading in their ceremony. Another, noting our mutual love of Champagne, gave me a bottle.

If something really occurs to you during your conversations, I think it's fabulous. If not, a tip and a thank you note and review are perfect.

^^^^^^^^^^^

What Celia said.

I gave gifts to a few people- but not my catering company. I loved 3 of my vendors and wanted to do something special for them. I had 3 gold star saviors of my day, they truly made my experience amazing. So- 5 star reviews- thank you cards- and gifts that were relevant to them.

The catering company did their job and were excellent- but I had no personal connection- we tipped the staff the day of- and I sent them a thank you card and reviewed them on WW and yelp for doing a good job.

Tips are great

However, if you have a special relationship with the vendor - it's different - IMO anyway.

I had a bride last fall (actually two) where our relationship was more than the normal vendor/client relationship. The one bride I'm thinking of here though worked in hospital administration and while we were planning her wedding my Grandfather (in his late 70's) went down a very long flight of concrete, ice covered stairs breaking ribs and hitting his head. I had to send a note out to our clients letting them know that if they needed to get a hold of me quickly what number to text me on and why etc. She messaged me letting me know that if I needed any help dealing with the hospital to let her know.

I *did* end up needing some help as my grandfather was very confused (did not know who was who, where he was, who was president, etc.) and the hospital was under the assumption he was always like this. In short - she helped me navigate the bureaucracy, told me who to look up, who to speak to, etc. (she obviously got a HUGE free upgrade to her flowers)

When I dropped her bouquets off she did give me an envelope with a tip inside, but also a gift bag with coffee (which I live on), some high-end soaps and candles, etc. It meant a lot to me because we had become friends of a sort (and now AFTER the wedding we actually do keep in touch).

In short... it depends on the vendor. If it is just a business relationship the best thing you can give is money, it is ALWAYS appreciated (and we don't make nearly what you think we do)

Tip and a good review

Rachel/Centerpiece 2.0

I'm with your fiancé, I think rip is fine