Tipping vendors!- Vendor appreciation

I think that's a sweet gift!

I have worked in venue events, catering, and as a musician at weddings. Most people actually express resentment at the large number of little item gifts they get. They are professionals, and expect to be treated like professionals. Pay them more. Or write a letter praising their skills and service. Children and volunteers get little gifts. Most pros smile politely, as paid to, but express things differently when the client is not around. Hand made gifts are best from family and friends, for whom you have personal, sentimental attachments. Not strangers you work a job for.

Im not in the wedding industry but I am in the client service industry, and cash is always the best gift, and a nice note goes a long way to express that little extra thanks. Unless you know them personally and their specific tastes, a personalized gift will often go unused. I’ve gotten a variety of gifts over the years and many go unused. Like it’s sweet that they wanted to give me something and the end result is that I feel bad throwing it out even though I’ll never use it, so then I hang on to it for a few years where it takes up space until I eventually decide to get rid of it. So, more often than not, I’d really have rathered get a heartfelt note (actually funnily enough, the really sweet cards—I DO hang on to!)

That’s not to say I hate ALL non-cash gifts, just that most are more miss than hit. I will say a couple items I HAVE loved have been things that are useful to do my job. And wine 🤣...though I’ve also received some wine that was not my taste at all!

I think it depends on the person. I had seen little goodie bags for vendors on this site so I asked my photographer about it, she thought it was a really sweet idea. I personally just tipped cash. I'm an appraiser and occasionally our office gets sent candy or things like that which is totally fine, but we aren't a tip-based job nor do we accept tips so that may be different.

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I appreciate this feedback actually. Hence why I posted! Yeah I plan on tipping them all very well with little notes. Just wanted a little something extra. I wasn't going to do anything personalized just a cute cup with flowers and stuff on it. But I totally get what you mean. Thanks!

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Yeah I already planned on tipping them very well as I plan on doing for all my vendors. I was just looking for something a little extra for them specifically to really show how great they have been. They went so far above and beyond what they were hired for so i was just looking for that little extra something special. But I totally get it. I bartend so I know cash is always preferred.

I would say a good review/letter is way better than a cup. Write something out for them or offer to post a review on their website.

I understand the sentiment but I agree that a bigger tip and a really well-thought out thank you card would be so much better. If they are anything like me, they wouldn't have any use with a cup and it would just take up space in my cabinet before I eventually donate it to Goodwill.

Tip them, or give them a good Yelp or WW review. Most vendors I know who get the little fifts
either never use them or discard them.