A Bride's Guide to Tipping Wedding Vendors

When planning your wedding, you may wondereither before or after, to the appropriate vendor.
how much of your budget to put aside forReception Staff - normally is eighteen to twenty
gratuities and tips. You may not be sure who getspercent of the final reception bill. This amount of
tipped or how much is customary to tip. Be suretipping may seem like a lot to pay, but remember
to read all contracts that you sign with yourthis is divided among all the staff who worked
vendors to make sure that you are aware ifyour event. It is usually paid when the balance of
tipping is optional (at your discretion) oryour reception bill is paid and is normally included in
contractual. Some vendor contracts willyour contract. You may choose to give added
automatically add a certain percentage to your billgratuity for exceptional service on the day of
to cover the customary standard gratuity.your event after the reception.
Here is a breakdown of who you should tip andReception Musicians or DJs - Customary to tip 5
how much you should tip. Note these are onlyto 20 percent of the total cost. The father of the
standard guidelines, you may choose to add morebride or the best man presents the envelope to
for exceptional service. You should preparethe musicians at the end of the ceremony. You
envelopes with the proper amounts already inwould tip a band 5 percent per musician (20
them, addressed to the proper vendors.percent total for 5 musicians) and a DJ up to 20
Rehearsal Dinner - 20 percent of the total bill,percent of the total cost.
many restaurants will add this onto the bill onReception Hall Maitre d' - $40 or more for each of
larger parties.these staff members, depending on the amount
Hairstylist / Make Up Artist / Nail Technician - It isof guests and total reception bill. The father of
customary to tip 15 to 20 percent of the totalthe bride or the best man presents the envelope
cost and should be paid once services areto the Maitre d'.
completed.Reception Bartenders - In addition to the amount
Musicians for the Ceremony - Standard tipping isspecified in the contract, 10% of the total bar bill
$20 to $25 dollars per musician and is expected atshould be tipped to the bartenders. Have the cash
the end of the ceremony. The father of the bridein envelopes in advance and have maitre d' pass
or the best man presents the envelope to thealong the tip.
musicians.Powder Room / Coat Check / Parking
Officiant for the Ceremony - Customary of $100Attendants - Should receive .50 cents to $1 per
and up, or make a donation to the church orguest attending. Have the cash in envelopes in
synagogue in which you are getting married. Thisadvance and have maitre d' pass along the tip.
contribution can be in addition to or in lieu of a tip.Transportation - It is customary to tip 20% of
If tipping, have the father of the bride or thethe total cost. Many limousine companies can
best man hand the envelope to the officiant rightoffer you to pay in advance or to tip on the day
after the rehearsal or the ceremony.the service is completed. Have the best man in
Delivery Truck Drivers / Reception Set Up - Thischarge of turning over the cash tip you prepared
could include the cake delivery and set up, thein advance.
floral set up, decoration set up, tent set up, etc...Finally, the following vendors do not typically
if the set up staff who is setting up is not a partreceive gratuities but you may certainly add them
of the reception staff. It is customary to tip $5to the list if their service is outstanding:
to $25 dollars per person depending on thephotographer, videographer, caterer, baker,
difficulty of the set up. The person accepting thejeweler, wedding consultant, seamstress, and
delivery should hand out the tips. If you will not beflorist.
there during delivery or set up, you should tip