Planning a wedding and feeling overwhelmed by all the important details? You're not alone, especially when it comes to the tricky subject of tipping your vendors. Let's face it - dealing wit money can be stressful enough without adding wedding jitters to the mix. How much should you tip? Who gets a tip? Let's break it down together and take one more worry of your plate as you prepare for your big day.

Review Your Contracts First

Before you start setting aside cash for tips, take a close look at your vendor contracts. Some vendors, particularly in the catering industry, may already include gratuity in their fees. Double-checking this can save you from double-tipping or help you budget more accurately.

Quality of Service Matters

Remember, tipping is a way to show appreciation for exceptional service. While the guidelines below provide a good starting point, feel free to adjust based on the quality of service you receive.

General Tipping Guidelines

Here's a breakdown of typical tipping amounts for various wedding vendors:

• Officiant: $50-$100

• Wedding planner: 15-20% of their fee

• Hairstylist and makeup artist: 15-20% of their fee

• Musicians/DJ: 10-15% of their fee

• Photographer/videographer: $50-$200 per person

• Catering staff: 15-20% of the total bill

• Bartenders: 10-15% of the total bar bill

• Delivery and setup staff: $20-$50 per person

** Again, review your vendor contracts for any gratuity already included. Only use the tipping guideline if no gratuity is included in the contract.

Prepare Cash Envelopes in Advance

Prepare labeled cash envelopes for each vendor ahead of time to make the process smooth on your wedding day. This organization will ensure you're not scrambling for cash or trying to calculate tips during your celebration.

Designate a Tipper

Your wedding day will be busy enough without worrying about distributing tips. Assign this task to a trusted individual, such as your best man or maid of honor. Brief them on which envelope goes to which vendor and when they should be distributed.

Keep Some Extra Cash With You

We always recommend keeping $200 cash with you on your wedding day. Sometimes, a random expense will come up or you may have forgotten something that someone has to run and buy. This saves you a wedding day trip to an ATM.

Consider Non-Monetary Tips

Some vendors, like postal workers, may not be allowed to accept cash tips. In these cases, a thoughtful gift can be a great alternative. A handwritten thank-you note along with a small gift can go a long way in showing your appreciation. Also, leaving positive online reviews for the vendor's business on Google or sites like Wedding Wire can be a way to show appreciation for exceptional service.

Timing is Everything

Generally, tips should be given at the end of the service or event. This allows you to base the tip on the full scope of service provided. For vendors who complete their service before the end of the reception (like make up artists), you can have your designated tipper give them their envelop as they depart.

Remember, These Are Guidelines

While these suggestions provide a solid framework to start with, it's important to remember that tipping can vary based on your budget, local customs, and the level of service received. Don't be afraid to adjust these numbers to fit your specific situation.

Tipping your vendor is a wonderful way to show appreciation for the hard work that goes into making your wedding day special. By incorporating these guidelines and personalizing them to your circumstances, you can ensure that your gratitude is expressed appropriately and meaningfully.

Happy planning!

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