Tipping Wedding Vendors

Q: If you are have a reception package which includes a DJ, caterer, servers, and coordinator in the price - are you supposed to tip these included vendors, and if so - how much?
~ J. Wolfe – Edmond, OK

A: You’ve already thrown down a fortune for this one day, but as with any other service industry, you still need to take tipping into consideration when calculating your overall budget. Although generally thought to be a voluntary act, tipping is a wonderful way to express your generosity. Still, shelling out wads of cash is probably the last thing you will want to deal with while you are trying to focus your attention on your friends and family. If you are using a wedding coordinator, make it his/her responsibility to tip your vendors on the day of your wedding; if not, elect your best man to do the deed.

So just how much should you tip your vendors? Here’s a basic guideline:

• Beauty services (hair, makeup, nails): 15-20% of fee
• Wedding coordinator: not expected
• Officiant (if officiant does not charge a fee): between $100 and $200. If you didn’t have a lot of involvement with the officiant, you can contribute a lower amount.
• Transportation: 15-20% of fee, unless it’s been included
• Parking attendants/valets: about $1 per car
• Coatroom and restroom attendants: $.50 to $1 per guest
• Musicians (ceremony and reception): $20-$25 per musician
• Photographer/videographer: Optional; $20-$25 each
• Banquet manager, Maitre d’: $200-$300, if gratuity isn’t included
• Caterer and waitstaff: total tip ranges between $250-$500 (depending on total cost and nature of event), if gratuity isn’t already included
• Bartenders: 10% of total liquor bill (to divide amongst bartenders), if gratuity isn’t already included. *note – do not allow bartenders to place tip jars on the bar; let bartenders know that you’ll be handling the total tip and guests should not feel obligated to tip.

Of course, these are all just guidelines and the amount that you give should reflect your level of satisfaction. In general, tips should be given in cash just before the vendor leaves, and no one single person should get more than $150. And no matter how much or little a vendor contributed to your celebration, everyone will appreciate a thank-you note.

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