Wedding Tipping Guide: Who to Tip and How Much
I often get asked by clients towards the end of their wedding planning which vendors they are supposed to tip, and how much. There are a lot of guides out there for wedding tipping, some of it conflicting. Plus, I think a lot of it is just a little strange, so I am here to share my opinion on which wedding vendors you should tip, and how much.
You can hand off all tips to your coordinator in labeled envelopes, and they will distribute them throughout the day. This gives you and your family one less thing to worry about!
First of all, a tip is a thank you for great service, and they are always appreciated as everyone works really hard to make sure the wedding day is perfect. I promise that not a single person you tip will say “Well according to Brides magazine you are not supposed to tip me”. With that being said, some tips are more “mandatory” than others.
“Mandatory” Tips
There are a few vendors you should tip every time.
Hair and makeup: 15-20%, like you would tip at the salon
Transportation: A 20% tip for the drivers (this is often included in your total invoice).
Officiant: Some churches specify the amount you should tip the priest or pastor, this is usually around $100-200. If a friend or family member officiates for you, I suggest turning this tip into a nice gift instead.
Reception servers/bartenders: 18-20%, however this is almost always included in the service charge.
Nice to Tip
Musicians: $20-50 each (lower end for ceremony and second lines, higher end for reception musicians).
Delivery people: I promise you will make their whole day if you are able to tip them $10-20 each! You may want to give this tip to your coordinator before the wedding day if setup is happening in another location.
Not Expected but You Can Totally Tip Them
Photographer/Videographer: Maybe these guys spent a little extra time with you on your engagement shoot, or have provided you with a lot of helpful wedding day information, or maybe you jut appreciate their professionalism and dedication to providing you with memories of precious moments. Whatever the reason, a tip of $50-200 (per person, if there is more than one shooter) will always be appreciated.
Coordinator/Planner: If you feel this person went above and beyond for you and provided great service, a 10-20% tip is a great way to say thank you.
Stuff Besides Money
Gifts: I will go ahead and say what other tipping guides will not: your vendors prefer a cash tip over a gift. This gives them the flexibility to put the extra money towards whatever they need: living expenses, business expenses, or a treat for themselves.
A thank you card: Getting one of these in the mail can honestly make my whole day or even week a lot brighter. A handwritten note really shows that your hard work was seen and appreciated!
Share your photos: Sharing your gallery or some images with your vendors gives them content for their social media, which is so important for their business.
Reviews: I know that after all the work and energy you put in to planning your wedding, writing reviews for each vendor can feel pretty cumbersome. However, a 5 star review is the #1 (non-cash related) way to thank your wedding vendors. You probably relied heavily on reviews while selecting your vendors, so pass on the goodwill for future couples by sharing your experience!