How To Tip Your Wedding Vendors (aka Your Dream Team!)

Providing a gratuity or tip for your wedding vendors is an important way to show your appreciation for their dedication and hard work. Tips are not always expected nor mandatory, yet are greatly appreciated. The wedding industry is truly a labor of love and these small gestures can help fuel passion and the drive to continue to provide the best service possible to each and every couple. Figuring how much to tip each vendor can be a challenge so we have listed our suggested standards below. Also, be sure to check your contracts in advance to see if a gratuity or service charge is already included with your payment.

To avoid scrambling with tipping on the day of your wedding, we recommend that you create a list of who you would like to tip and organizing the cash into envelopes well in advance of your big day. As your coordinator, we are happy to ensure that these envelopes are given to each vendor at an appropriate time throughout the day. Of course, a thank you card, personal gift, or even a glowing review after the wedding day is also a wonderful way to show your appreciation for the team that makes the magic happen to provide you and your partner the best day ever!

Photographer: Tony Gambino | Hair Stylist: Seus Beauty

Hair Stylist & Makeup Artists

The Standard: Expected, 15%-25% of services, similar to getting your hair done at a salon, the same idea applies to your wedding hairstylists and makeup artists

When to Tip: At the conclusion of your services

Officiant

The Standard: Optional, yet if you loved their service and you had a great connection, tip $50-$200. If the officiant is a priest, suggest making a donation to the church in your honor instead.

When to Tip: At the ceremony rehearsal

Bartenders & Waitstaff

The Standard: Expected, yet dictated by your contract. If the service fee is included, consider providing extra gratuity only if the service was exceptional. If it’s not included, ask ahead of time how many wait staff members will be working your wedding and calculate on a per-person basis at 15%-20% of the total food & beverage.

When to Tip: At the conclusion of your reception, given to the banquet manager to distribute

Photographer: Anna Caitlin Photography

Wedding Planner or Day of Coordinator

The Standard: Optional, yet if your planner or coordinator went above and beyond or assisted with tasks that were not expected, a personal gift or tip of 15%-20% of services would be appropriate. Also, allowing your wedding day photos/videos to be used for their portfolio, social media, or for submitting to publications is another way of showing your gratitude.

When to Tip: At the conclusion of the reception or thank you note at a later date

Venue Coordinator or Catering Manager

The Standard: Optional, yet if he or she provided exceptional service, a personal gift, or tip of $50-$200 would be recommended.

When to Tip: At the conclusion of the reception or thank you note at a later date

Photographer/Videographer

The Standard: Optional, yet if you enjoyed working with him or her, a tip of $50-$200 is appropriate. If there are any assistants or second shooters, it is also a good idea to tip them as well.

When to Tip: At the conclusion of the reception or when their coverage time is completed

Photographer: Tony Gambino

The Standard: Optional, yet based on their quality of the service they provided or willingness to play your playlist or requests, 15%-20% of services

When to Tip: at the conclusion of the reception

Ceremony Musicians or Band

The Standard: Optional, yet if you loved their performance and professionalism, $25-$75 per player for reception bands or $15-$25 per player for ceremony musicians

When to Tip: At the conclusion of reception or their performance

Transportation

The Standard: Expected, yet dictated by your contact. Quite often transportation companies include the gratuity in their contract. But if yours doesn’t, you could tip 15%-20% for an on-time arrival for the transportation, as well as any guest shuttles.

When to Tip: Upon pickup or after the last ride

Photographer: Ely Roberts Photography | Florist: The Posie Shoppe

Florist

The Standard: Optional,10%-15% of services if they did an outstanding, over-the-top job

When to Tip: With final payment or thank you note at a later date

Cake Designer or Baker

The Standard: Optional, 10%-15% of services if they provided a delicious, beautiful cake

When to Tip: With final payment or thank you note at a later date

Photo Booth Attendant

The Standard: Optional, $50-$100 if they are genuinely interacted with your guests and ensured the booth was getting plenty of use through the duration of the reception

When to Tip: At the conclusion of the reception

Valet

The Standard: Expected, $1-2 per Car

When to Tip: Prior to the start of your wedding, as they can let any guests that would like to tip know that gratuity has already been taken care of by the wedding host

Photographer: gwenshoemakerphotography | Wedding Planners: The Indigo Bride | Balloon Installation: The Indigo Party

We hope these standards will assist with your budgeting and expectations for tipping your wedding vendors. Of course, as we mentioned above, tipping is not mandatory and there are other options that can go a long way with your dream team. Whether it be a hand-written thank you note, a review, or a referral – these gestures are also a fabulous way to show your appreciation!

Wedding Chicks vendor, The Indigo Bride created this post. Email alisha@theindigobride.com with a link to the post and any credit changes or additions.