Tipping

I work in corporate events with some of the same vendors and tipping is not expected. I’ll also add that the same vendors tend to charge higher rates for weddings so that premium is already built in. Catering and hair/makeup tipping is usually expected in life outside of weddings. It’s often mentioned in their contracts. I think the same applies here. I think the rest is up to you and should be based on going above and beyond. Photographers don’t normally expect to get tipped. When someone’s running their own business they typically set all inclusive rates.

We have an all in one venue, but I am tipping 15% on the food and beverage costs to be distributed to the bar tenders and servers. I'll tip my DOC and hair/ makeup lady as well.


I'm not planning to do separate tips outside of that.

It’s crazy isn’t it? To pay all of the cost and then this too. That being said I’d hate to be the couple that doesn’t tip. I’ve already written my vendor thank you cards to hand out, and will probably out $50-100 depending on level of service. I hired 4 of our vendors, so I’m handling that.

I forgot to mention, our venue and caterer had an 18% gratuity built in. Make sure you check your contracta and don’t tip twice.

I’ve worked in the industry with other Photographers and for myself, and tbh Tips are rare. It is absolutely unexpected but definitely appreciated 💯

Our caterer has an 18% tip built into the bill, which I get especially now that they have to serve the buffet and aren’t charging us anything additional.
The only other actual vendor we hired that will be present on the day is our photographer, who I’m not feeling overly inclined to tip at the moment based on his “no travel fee in state” suddenly becoming “you have to cover my $18 hotel room.”We do plan on giving our officiant a nice gift, he’s a close friend and isn’t charging us anything to officiate.
When I picked up my dress from the seamstress I had this nagging thought about whether or not I should tip, but she’s a self proprietor and didn’t exceed expectations so I didn’t. Tipping is definitely a weird custom, I don’t know how expected it is or should be with vendors already charging inflated prices for anything wedding.

I plan on tipping all of my vendors something as long as they perform as planned. I honestly will probably tip the venue that night and everyone else a few days after the wedding because all of my other vendors use cash app & I know them personally!

I tipped the Next day since my vendors took payment via Venmo anyway

I followed the guidelines for % based on service in my area. I labeled the envelopes, inserted the cash in each, but kept them unsealed. My MOH had extra cash and was able to adjust before she handed it over. We didn't have anyone she took from, there was a couple she wanted to acknowledge for remarkable service and added to their envelopes.


I prewrote a handwritten thank you in my stationary and signed it so the envelopes were ready for my MOH.

Look closely you caterer or bar staff -- they may already have gratuity added into their amount. Don't double tip.
Couple other notes: I started getting $100 cash per pay period to make sure I had cash for tips.
On the inside flap I wrote the service. Incase she forgot Michele was the florist. Michele was prominent on the outside of the envelope. But it just helped her.
I also knew the schedule and timeline inside and out so I wrote on the inside flap when I thought it would be appropriate that my MOH start looking for the vendor to be sure no one was missed before they left site.
Another good way to reward good vendors are through thorough and specific review comments.
Good luck. Sherri

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I might tip catering, then too! But the photographer does own her own studio.
😊

View Quoted Comment Good to know, thank you!!

View Quoted Comment Very true!
Thank you!!

View Quoted Comment I might consider this!
Thank you 😊

View Quoted Comment Thank you! That sounds great.

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View Quoted Comment That’s true!
Thank you 😊

View Quoted Comment Good information; you’re right!
Thank you 😊

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Check your catering contract. Gratuity is often automatically included when it comes to catering.

And I agree with a comment above. The best type of "tip" you can leave is a review.

View Quoted Comment Thank you!!