Ahh, tipping… a grey area in wedding planning for sure!  First and foremost on this topic, the decision to tip is completely up to you and your satisfaction with the service provided.  You are NOT obligated to tip!  However, here is a handy-dandy guide to saying thank you to those that have made your big day so special if you so choose to tip.

TIPPING NOTES:

  • All tips should be given in cash or check (cash preferred).
  • No one person should get more than $200.00.  For example: your wedding photography package is $6000.00 – that’s a $600.00 – $1,200.00 tip – Eek!!  This is NOT necessary!
  • If the person serving you is an employee of the company, their tip should be in a separate envelope.
  • In the Rocky Mountains service staff make their entire living on tips, please keep this in mind if they have done a great job, reward them.
  • Tips should be given just before your vendor leaves. That way you can judge how much to give, according to the job they did for you.
  • All vendors would love a thank you card. It is a great reminder of happy clients! (I have a wall dedicated to these in my office and it always brightens my day!)

Who Can I Tip?

  • Photographer
  • Videographer
  • Limousine Driver
  • Musicians/DJ
  • Hair and or Makeup Artist
  • Officiant
  • Altar Boys or Girls & Clergy
  • Bartender
  • Wait Staff
  • Powder Room Attendant
  • Coat Check Attendants
  • Valet Parking
  • Conference Manager
  • Wedding Coordinator
  • Florist & Delivery
  • Baker

How Much do I Tip?

Photographer – If this vendor owns their own business then tipping is optional.  If the photographer is an employee $50 – $150 is appropriate based on their performance on the day of the wedding.  You may also split the tip up, tipping half on the wedding day and half upon delivery of the final product.

Videographer - If this vendor owns their own business then tipping is optional.  If the videographer is an employee $50 – $150 is appropriate based on their performance on the day of the wedding.  You may also split the tip up, tipping half on the wedding day and half upon delivery of the final product.

Limousine Driver – Tipping the limousine driver 10% – 15% is appropriate, however do not let this exceed the above mentioned amount.

Musicians/DJ – If your Musician or DJ owns their own company tipping is optional.  If the DJ or Musicians are employees tipping from $50 – $100 each is appropriate based on the performance.

Hair and or Makeup Artist – Make sure you tip your artist with cash!  Tipping from 20% – 25% for a great hair and makeup job is not uncommon as they are the people that make you shine on your big day!

Officiant – (Optional Tip) If you have decided to go with a non religious officiant tipping from $25.00 – $75.00 is appropriate.  If you are holding a religious ceremony you may make a donation to the church in the amount that you feel is appropriate.

Altar Boys or Girls & Clergy – $10 – $20 each is appropriate.

Bartender – If your bartenders gratuity is not included in the final bill you may choose to tip them from 15% – 20% of the bar bill.  If you do not know the bar bill at the end of the night $100.00 – $200.00 is appropriate.  Be sure to tip in cash.   *Note gratuity is usually included on the mater bill in which case you do NOT have to tip.

Wait Staff - If your wait staff gratuity is not included in the final bill you may choose to tip them from 15% – 20% of the food bill.  If you do not know the food bill is at the end of the night $50.00 – $100.00 each is appropriate.  Be sure to tip in cash.  *Note gratuity is usually included on the mater bill in which case you do NOT have to tip.

Powder Room Attendant – Tipping $.50 per guest is appropriate.

Coat Check Attendants - Tipping $.50 per guest is appropriate.

Valet Parking- Tipping $1.00 per car is appropriate.

Conference Manager - (Optional Tip) Conference managers do allot of behind the scenes planning for your big day.  It is always nice to tip them.  $50 – $150 is appropriate depending on how much they have done for you and how much money they have saved you.  If you have hired a wedding planner tipping the conference manager is optional.

Wedding Planner/Coordinator – (Optional Tip) If your wedding planning has done a great job it is always nice to say thank you.  Depending on the service provided (full wedding planning or day of) and the size of your wedding, tipping from $75.00 is appropriate if you are completely satisfied with your big day.

Florist & Delivery - (Optional Tip) You don’t have to tip your florist for making your arrangement, however, if you are very happy with the results a tip is a nice way of saying thank you.  If you florist delivers is it appropriate to tip $10.00 per deliver location.  Eg 3 locations is $30.00 tip or 15% of the final bill.

Baker – (Optional Tip) You don’t have to tip your baker for baking the cake, however if they deliver the cake and set it up it is nice to tip from $20.00 – $40.00 for exceptional work.

Thanks for reading!  I hope this has helped!

Angela Schrempf
Executive Wedding Planner
Sweet Occasions Bridal Consulting
www.sweetoccasionsbanff.com