Tip the photographer?

I don't know who keeps perpetuating that "rule" but it needs to go away. Tip them.

I always think those are the people who deserve a tip the most - they are making your day amazing (if they do it right), and if you own a business (FH owns his own company) then you usually pay yourself last.

Yes, to tip. We're paying all of our vendors who do good work tips - owners or not.

Thanks. I did think it was weird that you tip some but not all. How much are you supposed to tip? 20% seems a little high when you're talking about the amount of money you're spending on their services.

I agree about the tipping, even if it is the business owner- I too have had multiple people tell me I shouldn't tip a vendor that owns their business but that just seems all kinds of wrong.

I was wondering about the % though, 20% of the total contract for each vendor is a massive amount.

I think $50- $100 per vendor is fair. ETA WW has a good tipping guide.

I'm not tipping.

Allow vendors to comment, they would be valuable to this conversation.

Following! I am using eivans, who hires a photographer and sends them, and I specifically asked if my rate included a tip for the photographer. They said yes, but I'm questioning that...

Just because they own the business doesn't mean you don't tip them. My photographer was the "name" on the business and she was wonderful and attentive and ninja like so when she left, I tipped her. If I love the pics she took, I'll send her something again as a thank you.

I tipped her 13%.

Ok I think I made it so vendors can comment. I like the idea of giving a tip at the wedding and another as a thank you when I get my (I'm assuming) awesome album!

From the bride side of it: My dad tipped everyone at my wedding, including the photographer and her second shooter. Those two originally said that it wasn't necessary, but he pushed the money onto them anyway. He was handing out hundreds like it was Christmas! He was also a little drunky (lol). I'm really glad that he did it, because when I thought about it at the end of the reception, I realized that I had no money on me.

From the photographer side: I am the owner of my business. I don't ever expect to get tipped for weddings, events, portraits, whatever it may be. The amount that I charge is what I expect to get for the wedding & photographs. I use what I need for my overhead, put what I think is right back into the business, save up for those (lovely) taxes, and get a little for myself in the end. I've been tipped at weddings and I've not been tipped at weddings. When I do, it's never a set amount or percentage. It just seems to be whatever the tipper thinks is fair at the time.

It's comforting to know that I am doing a good job. I love the feedback but I would never go into a job EXPECTING more money.

I don't know if this helped or not, but I figured I'd give my thoughts on it.

I don't expect it. But if you feel they went above and beyond it would be a nice gesture. Others are correct, whether they are the business owner or not isn't relevant. We get all the shit and expenses too.

That's very helpful, thank you!

If your people do great work for you, tip them, owner or not. They are the people who will really, really go all the way to make sure your event is perfect, they'll pick up the slack if costs run over, they'll be the ones who sweat bullets because their name is on the company (one of the many reasons that I only recommend owner operated businesses.....)

We never go into an event expecting a tip, nor do we ever discuss it with our clients, but it certainly is appreciated if the work and the process has been extraordinary,

Percentages work for hair and MUA's; for the rest, 50-150.00 is just dandy. And, as always, a beautifully written, detailed review is the best tip.

Our photographer has already above and beyond and we just love them (husband and wife team)! We'll definitely be tipping, it was never a question for us. Percentage was a question, but PP have been very helpful on that front as well.

As a photographer (with successful beautiful weddings, in case you're wondering if I just suck or am rude lol) I have never been tipped. Nor have I ever expected to be tipped. If they are paying me like $3000, I wouldn't want them to tip me either. It just seems so over thetop. Not that I hate money lol I just like people more.

You don't have to tip professionals because their fees should more than cover the cost of their services. Would you tip a lawyer? No, you'd pay your bill and leave it at that. Same with a professional wedding photographer. They provide you with their services and you pay your bill.

However, you can show your appreciation in other ways. I sent my photographer an RSVP card because it included a selection for dinner preferences. We're going to be feeding her and her assistant, so I want them to have the food they want instead of just the food we decide to provide.

Tip anyone you feel goes above and beyond your expectations to make your day even more special! I never expect a tip, but of course, it's always appreciated when a customer tips

It may be best to tip some vendors (hair, makeup, etc.) 15-20%, while it may be best to tip other vendors whose overall cost is higher (photographer, videographer, DJ, etc.) a lump sum of what you feel is appropriate ($50, $100, $200, etc.), rather than a percentage.

I'm not tipping either. I'm already paying them to do their job/service and bringing them business. Paying them extra just isn't in my budget

I'm not tipping vendors just for the fact that it is extra money that I won't probably have because I will pay them for their work. I will for sure recommend their business to my friends and family, and give them a very long, detailed review.

ETA:if you want to tip, their position whether if it's the owner or a worker it is irrelevant.