Vendor gifts

I would tip them. Unless they were a friend and you knew what they liked?

There are as many opinions about tipping/gifts as about cash bars and cash registries.

I tipped the catering staff because they're a category that makes less than a minimum wage and relies on tips to make a living. Other vendors are pros who charge whatever fee they believe is adequate for their services. So I think they belong in the same category as my accountant or doctor. We gave other pros some extra cash with a thank you note, but I really don't think that should be expected. In any event, there's no way I would have tipped 20% on already expensive packages we got.

I always feel couples who ask that "tips are appreciated, but never expected." Servers would definitely get tipped. I've never heard of tipping a photographer (but I'm certainly not the expert in that regard, so I may be off base.)

You'll certainly want to tip anyone whom you feel went above and beyond for you.

As an aside, my most unique (and very much appreciated) gift came from a couple who worked for 3-M Company. It was a beautifully wrapped box and it was full of 3-M products. (I never realized they made so many items!). I had Post-its and tape and stickers, staplers, and all kinds of fun, colorful items to last me for a year!

Thanks everyone I just saw that post and it was concerned if I should do something extra. I feel like I'm already paying an arm and a leg for photo and video so I wasn't sure!

I don't plan on tipping anyone as everyone is getting paid for their services. Some people say you should tip those that go "above and beyond" but I'm not sure what that actually means.

Yea I only planned on giving gifts to those who I did not directly hire and they're just helping with decorating and other things.

Tips are completely optional and should be based on whether or not you think your vendors went above and beyond. After all, you are already paying them for their service, so paying them extra should be when they deserve extra!

As for gifts, I've personally never received one (maybe it's regional?) but I have gotten many cards, which I think are fantastic. They always make my day. I just recently got a holiday card from a bride I worked for back in March. The card was covered in pictures from her wedding, and it made me so happy that they were so pleased with our services that they kept us in mind when sending out Christmas cards!

Gifts sound terrific for a planner, since they are helping with so many different things!

A thank you card is always very much appreciated. Also, adding a nice review or giving a referral is another way to say thanks for all your hard work.

Happy Holidays,

Kari

We only tipped the serving staff and the Valets. Vendors didn't get tipped. All were owners and were very well paid.

We also gave most of our wedding cake and much of the Candy Bar to the kitchen staff.

Edit: We tipped our makeup/hairstylist (per wife.com)

I know that this is going to sound really lame, but the best tip for a pro that doesn't rely on tips is a thank you note and a great review that lets other couples know what you loved about your vendor. I love seeing photos from my couples, and I love knowing their favorite parts of the ceremony.

IMHO, the only ppl that are tipped are hair, make up artists and servers, bartenders.

My venue added a 20% gratuity - I did NOT tip outside of this. I hope that the servers did receive a tip (from this gratuity charge.)

My photographer & DJ own their own businesses and I did NOT tip them because of that reason. I gave glowing reviews for all my vendors as they did a fantastic job.

I so don't understand tipping!!!

I've been a part of a good deal of event planning before and since I was working for the organization or company in each of those I couldn't offer a cash tip. However, I frequently gave small gifts of appreciation and, at the minimum, a thank you card for their efforts. to the poster who asked about above and beyond... I'd say an example would be a photographer who gave you extra prints, extra editing, stayed an extra hour, etc. I've always heard if they own their own business, no cash tip, but I think a small gift would definitely be appropriate.

@Celia-agree 100%. I've reviewed every one of my vendors...and we were lucky to get some really good ones. I told them I'd do their review and most have seen what I've posted somehow...lol.

Our venue added 19% 'Service' charge...its not a tip (per them)..but makes you go 'hmmm'....

I plan on tipping the bartender, hair & make up. Not the serving staff because gratuity is calculated into the contract. However I would like to give a gift to our photographer and dj.

We tipped our caterers, and hair & makeup. I personally would have tipped our DJ as well, however because my mom was the one who gave her her final payment at the end of the wedding, I don't know if a tip ever got added and passed along.

I also tipped my photographer (and second photographer as well) because despite the fact that she owns her own company and we paid a pretty penny, we felt she went above and beyond that. I tipped her after the wedding when we received our final photos with a thank you card and a small gift (a necklace). She was the only one who we sent an actual gift to, and I don't think that is actually common.

And of course, we thanked our vendors with great reviews as well.

@SoontobeMrs.B, going "above and beyond" means that someone did everything that they were contracted to do AND MORE. For example, your photographer does everything that you asked, but also helped set up centerpieces or helped get your drunk uncle to a bathroom to throw up (instead of on your dress).

Basically, it's when people do things that they aren't already being paid to do that help you out significantly.

We also tipped the hair & makeup people. I'm not sure about the bartenders, since they were part of our venues package and were paid a flat rate for their service. Have to check with my parents since they paid for that portion.

Did not tip our DJ, Photographer or Decorator. They all owned their own businesses. Can't remember if DH tipped our limo driver since it was very late at night that we paid him, around 2:30 a.m.

Yep. I laugh when I see tip cups at my bagel counter. I mean seriously, you get paid to get a bagel, cut it in half, put the CC in the middle, and hand me coffee. The opportunity to go above and beyond is kinda slim....

I have couples who have given me an envelope with a tip in it on the day of the weddings, which is lovely. It's not expected in any way, and doesn't effect our work. We do our best tip or no tip!