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Wedding Gratuity Tips & Guideline

As wedding planners, the most common questions we are asked right before the big day is who do we tip and how much? We hope this wedding gratuity guideline helps and please feel free to ask us any questions, we love to hear from our readers.

Preparing to Give
A week or two before your big day, sit back and reflect on the planning process and how the various vendors helped you with all the details that led up to your day. Follow your conscience to determine what you feel is right. Be sure to clarify with your vendors if the fee for their service already includes tips for support staff. Since some establishments automatically add a tip to the bill for service, be careful to avoid unnecessary double tipping. If you choose to extend gratuities, here a few ideas to help you get them in order:

1) Estimate each gratuity and then write a check or place cash into an envelope with the recipient’s name, and/or their title on the front of the envelope. The envelopes can be distributed to the appropriate vendors during or at the conclusion of services on the wedding day. An additional envelope can carry cash to make up for discrepancies once the final bill arrives and the percentages can be tabulated.

2) Write thank-you notes to the vendors who helped you throughout the planning process. Often, a sincere note of thanks is appreciated as much as a tip or even offering to write a referral online for your vendor, find out the websites where they are listed (weddingwire, theknot, etc.).

3) Give your planner cash in an envelope and have the wedding planner discreetly pass out the tips to various vendors who have gone above and beyond your expectations. Since your planner witnesses more levels of services from your vendors, the planner usually has a broad view of how well the vendors actually execute their services.

Mandatory Gratuities

Transportation and catering always include gratuities (15% to 20%) in the total  service fee. Gift basket delivery requires a $2 to $3 per bag or basket to have a bellman deliver to a guest room at a hotel. On occasion, hotel staff will hold a bag or basket behind the front desk and give it to the guest upon check-in, in which case it is wise to tip the front desk manager when you drop
off the bags or baskets, just to ensure that your request is executed.

How Much to Give

Since all your vendors are in the service business, gratuities are a kind and generous gesture of appreciation for going the extra mile to make your wedding day perfect. The following list is of vendors that usually receive gratuities on the wedding day. Keep in mind that gratuities are customary, but absolutely not mandatory.

The following receive a gratuity/tip almost all of the time: 

Banquet Captain -- Oversees the servers and makes sure your guest’s food and beverage wishes are met. Often acts as the head maitre d’ for the reception and works closely with wedding coordinator. Tip: $1 - $5 per guest.

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Hair, Makeup & Nail Artists -- Assists with all the beauty needs of your bridal party, keeps flow of group while everyone is getting ready. Tip: 10% -15% of the total fee, whether you go to the salon or they come to you.

Bellman -- Assists with loading wedding items, i.e. gifts, flowers at the end of the
night, luggage, etc. to your hotel room or car. Tip: $10 - $20 each.

The following receive a gratuity/tip 60-70% of the time:

Wedding Planner & Team -- Assists with all aspects of the pre-wedding planning and wedding day execution. They often serve as the designer, director, producer, therapist, seamstress, dry cleaner, touch-up makeup beauty stylist, coach, consultant, honeymoon suite decorator, bell-hop and bridal party assistant. It is impossible to categorize all the services your professional planner is capable of executing. Tip: 10% of total service fee.

Catering Manager/Director of Catering / Food and Beverage Director -- Assists primarily with the pre-planning of the wedding day and occasionally oversees the Banquet Captain on the day of your wedding At the hotel, they can usually make sure your hotel suite is upgraded, amenities are given and your stay is special. At a private venue or country club, they can additionally oversee the kitchen and bars. Tip: $50 - $500.

Entertainment -- Musicians. Tip: $20 - $50 each. DJ. Tip: $50 - $300.

The following receive a gratuity/tip 50% or less of the time:

Photographer & Videographer -- A gratuity can be given to the “lead shooter” and/or the assistants on the wedding day or on the day you receive your finished product. Tip: $40 - $100 each.

Florist/Designer and Team -- Whatever the tip, the florist/designer should divide it among the set-up and break-down team. Tip: $40 - $200.

by peony