A Tipping Guideline For Couples Getting Married

Tipping wedding vendors is a customary practice to show appreciation for their services, but the amount can vary depending on the type of vendor and the level of service provided.

Here are some general guidelines for tipping different wedding vendors:

Catering Staff
Waitstaff: $20 to $30 per server.
Bartenders: 10-15% of the total bar bill or $20 to $25 per bartender.
Chef/Kitchen Staff: $50 to $100 per chef.
Banquet/Catering Manager: $100 to $200, especially if they went above and beyond.

Wedding Planner/Coordinator
If not included in the contract, consider 10-20% of their fee or a flat $100 to $500.

Officiant
If they are affiliated with a religious institution, consider donating $100 to $300 to the church or synagogue.
If they are a professional officiant, $50 to $100 is standard.

Photographer and Videographer
$50 to $200 per vendor, especially if they own the business. If they are part of a larger company, consider tipping $50 to $100 per assistant.

Musicians/DJ
Live Band: $20 to $50 per musician.
DJ: $50 to $200, depending on their level of involvement and performance.

Hair and Makeup Artists
15-20% of the total bill, similar to what you would tip for regular salon services.

Transportation
Chauffeur: 15-20% of the total bill if not already included.

Florist
Typically not expected, but if they did an outstanding job, $50 to $100 is appreciated.
Delivery and Setup Staff (Cake, Flowers, Rentals)

$5 to $20 per person, depending on the complexity of the setup and delivery.

Additional Tips

Contracts: Check your contracts first, as some vendors include gratuities in their fees.
Cash in Envelopes: Prepare envelopes with cash and clearly label them with the vendor’s name.
Timing: Distribute tips at the end of the event or delegate this task to a trusted person like the wedding planner or a family member.

These amounts can be adjusted based on the quality of service and your overall budget. If a vendor provided exceptional service or went above and beyond, you might consider tipping on the higher end of these ranges.

Other articles: Why You Should Tip Your Wedding Vendors