Say Thank You in Style: How to Tip Vendors on Your Big Day

When planning your wedding, you work with a team of vendors who help bring your dream day to life. From your photographer capturing every special moment to the caterers serving a delicious feast, these professionals pour their hearts into making your celebration unforgettable. Tipping is an excellent way to show your appreciation for their hard work, but knowing when, how, and how much to tip can feel overwhelming. Here are five essential tips for tipping your wedding vendors:

Not all vendors expect tips, but many appreciate them as a token of gratitude for their exceptional service. Here’s a breakdown of common wedding vendors and recommended tipping amounts:

  • Caterers and Banquet Staff: If gratuity isn’t included in your contract, consider tipping 15-20% of the total food and beverage bill. Alternatively, you can tip $50-$100 per chef and $20-$50 per server or bartender.
  • Hair and Makeup Artists: Tip 15-25% of the total bill, depending on the complexity of the services and how satisfied you are.
  • Photographers and Videographers: Tipping isn’t always expected, but if they went above and beyond, consider giving $50-$200. If they’re the business owner, a heartfelt thank-you note and a glowing review might suffice.
  • Wedding Planner: Typically, planners don’t expect tips, but if yours exceeded expectations, a tip of $500 or 10-20% of their fee is a generous gesture.
  • DJ or Band Members: For DJs, $50-$200 is standard. For live bands, tip $20-$50 per musician.
  • Officiant: If your officiant is affiliated with a church or synagogue, a $50-$100 donation is customary. For non-religious officiants, consider $50-$200.
  • Transportation Drivers: If a gratuity isn’t included in your contract, tip 15-20% of the total bill.
  • Florist, Cake Baker, and Stationer: These vendors generally don’t expect tips, but a small token of appreciation, like a $20-$50 gratuity or a thank-you note, is thoughtful.

To avoid scrambling on your wedding day, organize tips in advance. Use labeled envelopes for each vendor, indicating their name and role. Place the appropriate amount of cash inside or write a check if preferred. This ensures smooth distribution and keeps you stress-free. You’ll be busy soaking in every moment of your big day, so assign someone you trust—like a parent, best man, maid of honor, or your wedding planner—to distribute tips. Make sure they know where the envelopes are stored and when to hand them out (e.g., after a vendor’s service is complete). In addition to a monetary tip, consider including a handwritten thank-you note expressing your gratitude. Vendors love hearing how their work positively impacted your day. If you’re especially thrilled with their service, mention you’ll be leaving a glowing review online or referring them to friends and family. These small gestures can mean the world to them.

 

Before deciding on tips, carefully review your vendor contracts. Some vendors, particularly caterers and transportation companies, may include a service charge or gratuity in their fees. If this is the case, additional tipping isn’t necessary unless you’d like to reward extraordinary service. When creating your wedding budget, don’t forget to allocate funds for vendor tips. A little planning goes a long way in ensuring you can generously thank the team that brings your vision to life. Tipping is a meaningful way to show appreciation for the hard-working professionals who make your wedding day magical. While it’s not mandatory, thoughtful tips and thank-yous can leave a lasting impression and strengthen your relationship with your vendors. By planning ahead and following these tips, you can ensure a smooth and heartfelt gratuity process on your big day.

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Photography: Ryan Wetzel Photography, Denis Largeron, Elegant Exposure by Britt LLC