How much do you tip your vendors?

You're going to have to be more specific about what vendors you will have to her a better answer. My venue price included tips for the bartenders and servers. My DJ owns his own business so he won't be getting a tip.

Hair and makeup can typically run 20% ... Who else do you have?

My DOC gave me a tipping chart that I found helpful. It's a PDF so I cannot attach it. Here it is copied and pasted in multiple posts:

Tipping the Vendors

You just thought "I have to tip the vendors, aren't I paying enough!" Below are proper guidelines regarding tipping, so here goes!

• All tips should be given in cash in envelopes clearly marked for each vendor.

• No one/single person should get more the $150 (example: shuttle bus costs $2,000 - tip would be $200-$300. $150 is all that is required.)

• Tips should be given just before your vendor leaves so that you already know the job they did for you.

• All vendors would love a thank you call or a review on the website of their choice - it helps them book future clients!

1. Altar boys/girls -- $10-$15 each.

2. Limo drivers -- 10-15% of the limo bill (some limo companies include the gratuity on the contract, but it is still appropriate to give the individual driver $25-$50 for a job well done. The tip they receive from their employer gets taxed!)

3. Valet parking / Restroom / Coat attendants -- 50-cents to $1.00 per attendant. Prearrange the amount based on your estimated guests. Post a sign for your guests that gratuity has been taken care of.

4. Wait staff -- If tip is not included in the contract, 15% of the total catering bill, before taxes.

5. Bartenders -- 10% of the total liquor bill, presented to the head bartender or divided equally among them (if this is not included in the contract.).

6. Makeup Artist / Hair Stylist -- If they travel to you, no tip is necessary. If you go to a salon, tip them 15%.

7. DJ - If your DJ owns the company, the tip is optional. If the DJ is an employee, tip them $50-$100. If you have two DJs, divide the tip between the two in separate envelopes.

8. Business Owners - you don't need to tip them unless they've done an outstanding job for you.

9. Ceremony / Reception Musicians -- $5-$10/hr. per person. One lump sum given the person in charge.

10. Banquet or Catering Manager -- don't need to be tipped unless they've thrown in extras or save you hundreds on your bill. The tip would be between $50-$100.

11. Photographer / Videographer -- If they own the company, the tip is optional. If employees, $50 goes to the main photographer / videographer and he/she can split with the assistant.

12. Officiant -- To tip them is to demean their professional and extremely bad etiquette. You may make a contribution to the church.

13. Florist -- $5 per delivery location or $10-$20 per staff member. One lump sum for set-up and delivery.

14. Wedding Cake Baker -- $10 at time of delivery to the delivery person.

15. Your Wedding Coordinator -- If the coordinator owns the company, no tip is necessary unless they have gone the extra mile to help you (10% of fee charged).. A tip of $50 is appropriate for their assistant.

16. Your Wedding Planner -- This person has planned your wedding from beginning to end - an appropriate tip would be 10% of the fee they charged you.

Note: I am not sure if any of the above are "standard." The info is just what we were provided as a guideline. I hope this helps.

Search "Martha Stewart weddings tipping vendors"

You don't have to tip vendors it is totally optional. I would say with my business it's 50/50 with brides choosing to tip. If anything a nice note and review is worth more than any tip to a company that is trying to get the word out there about their business.

I personally think Martha Stewart and The Knot are more than a little excessive on this topic. As a business I price myself to not depend on getting tips from any of my clients. I think it really is more of an old etiquette thing that really has started to fade away. I live in the south, so I know if people aren't following those rules here it is even less predominate elsewhere.

Thank you guys for your advice, I just wanted a general idea

Do you generally hand someone else the envelopes and have them give them out? I don't want to sit there as stuff is being delivered to give people envelopes of money, lol I would like to enjoy the day.

FHs sister is going to be my day of coordinator so I was going to give the envelopes to her and have her distribute them

Kalyn, if you don't have a planner/coordinator, the Best Man can hand out the envelopes.

Tips are something given for good service. THey aren't mandatory but appreciated when given. GIve what you feel is appropriate.