Reader Q & A

Q: Can you give some solid guidelines of how much to tip your vendors? I thought that all vendors were tipped, but read an article saying only certain vendors do.

A: The wedding vendors that you definitely should tip:

• Head caterer, maitre d', banquet manager: 15-20% of the total food and drink bill
• Waitstaff: 15% of the total food bill (should be given to banquet manager to distribute)
• Bartenders: 15% of the total drink bill (should be given to banquet manager to distribute)
• DJ/Musician: $30-$50 each
• Limousine Drivers: 15-20% of the entire transportation bill
• Hair Stylist: 15-20% of the bill
• Makeup Artist: 15-20% of the bill
• Bathroom and Coat Check Attendant: $1 per guest (place a sign stating that gratuities have been taken care of)
• Valet Parking Attendant: $1 per guest (place a sign stating that gratuities have been taken care of)
• Delivery truck drivers (catering, florist, cake baker): $10 each

The wedding vendors that you have the option of tipping:

• Photographer: 10% of bill
• Videographer:10% of bill
• Wedding Planner: 15-20% of total bill
• Organist: $20-$50
• Soloist:$20-$50
• Altar boys/girls: $10
• Wedding Day Ceremony Coordinator: $20

The wedding vendors that do not get tipped:

• Florist
• Cake Baker
• Stationer
• Religious Officiant (if you'd like to tip a religious officiant, donate the money to the place of worship)

A few things to remember when tipping your wedding vendors:

• Double check every one of your contracts before deciding on tips. Many vendors include a gratuity charge built right into the bill. If this is the case, you do not need to give any additional tip on your wedding day.
• Tips were designed to show appreciation for a job well done. If you feel that any one of the vendors that do not typically get tipped did an outstanding job, feel free to tip them as well.
• The bride and groom should never be in charge of tipping on your wedding day. Assign this task to a parent or responsible attendant.
• Tips should be given towards the end of the evening. You need to make sure that there is a job well done before you hand out that reward.