Guide to Tipping your Vendors!

There are so many things to consider when budgeting your wedding. One budget item that often leaves people wondering is the vendor gratuities. “Do I tip this person or that person, I’m not sure” or “I want to tip this vendor, but I am not sure how much is appropriate.” Here is a breakdown of standard vendor tipping.

There are certain services that rely on tips, these services include:

Valet: Plan to tip approximately $1 per guest; this typically averages to $2 per car. Restroom/Coat attendants: $0.50-$1 per guest

Hair Stylist: 15-20% of the cost of the service

Make-up Artist: 15-20% of the cost of the service

Drivers: 15-20% of the cost of the service

Delivery Drivers: $5-20, this includes the people who drop off your cake, flowers, rentals etc.

Be sure to confirm if the above tips were already included in your contract, some of the beauty vendors and transportation companies we use build in tip for their employees. Of course, you can always add on top of what they include.

Other service providers, while not reliant on gratuities, certainly appreciate them. If you have found that your vendors were particularly helpful during planning, or who went above and beyond to make sure your special day was everything you dreamed you may want to consider the following:

Wedding planner/coordinator: 15-20% of the cost of the service

Photographer/Videographer: $100 for Main photographer, $50 for a second shooter is standard

Officiant: Non-Clergy $50-$100, some clergy may not accept a gratuity but may instead request a donation to their house of worship

DJ/Emcee: $100 for DJ/MC, $50 for assistant

Wedding Band: $20-$50 per member

Ceremony Musicians: $20-$50 per musician

Florist: If your florist is setting up and cleaning up we suggest $50-$100 for their team.

Bar: 10% of the pre-tax bar bill or you may also choose to give a flat tip rather than percentage, in this case $2 per guest, or a third option would be to allow guests to tip at the bar. It is not necessary to do both.

Wait staff: $20-$50 per staff member (often you can give the gratuity to the lead server/manager and have them divide it out for you.)

Finally, prior to your wedding day you will want to sit down with your wedding coordinator regarding gratuities. It is a good idea to have your coordinator review your contracts and see if any of them include gratuities already. You will also likely want to put the coordinator or a member of your family/bridal party in charge of handing out gratuities as you will be otherwise engaged on your big day. If Oh Hello is handing out tips for you, we prefer sealed, labeled envelopes.