Wedding Planner
Wedding planners won't likely expect anything;
however, if yours did a great job you can always offer a token of your
appreciation. (Note: Non-monetary thank-yous like professional photos of
the wedding for the planner's portfolio can go a long way too.)
Approximately 50 percent of couples do tip their planners -- typically
those with more opulent weddings.
Protocol: Optional
The $tandard: Up to $500, or a nice gift
When to Tip:
The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception, or,
she should send a thank-you note with photos or a check after the
honeymoon.
Wedding Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist
This is one area where a
gratuity is definitely expected. Tip between 15 - 20 percent just as you
would in a hair salon, and consider giving a little extra if there's a
crisis, like one of your
bridesmaids has a meltdown over her updo and it requires a redo at the last minute.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 25 percent, depending upon the quality of service
When to Tip: At the end of your service
Wedding Delivery and Set-up Staff
Slip a few dollars to anyone delivering important items to the site (
wedding cake,
flowers, or sound system). And if a lot of gear needs to be brought in
and set up (tents, chairs, or port-a-potties), the workers deserve a tip
too.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: $5 - $10 per person
When to Tip:
Drop off cash envelopes the day before the wedding to the catering
manager so the person accepting deliveries can turn the tip.
Wedding Ceremony Officiant
If your officiant is affiliated with a
church or synagogue, you're often expected to make a donation to that
institution. If you're a member you'll probably want to give a larger
amount than if you're not. However, if you're getting married there and
they're charging you to use the space, feel free to give a smaller
amount. If you're using a nondenominational officiant, no tip is
required because they will charge you for their time.
Protocol: Expected (depending on officiant)
The $tandard: Donate $500+ to the church or synagogue, or, for a nondenominational officiant, an optional tip of $50 - $100
When to Tip:
Most ceremony fees are required prior to the wedding. Otherwise, have
the best man pass the cash envelope at the rehearsal dinner if the
officiant is in attendance.
Wedding Ceremony Musicians
If you worked with a mini orchestra
to come up with the perfect score for your service (and they pulled it
off flawlessly), consider showing some monetary thanks for their talent.
However, you probably don't have to tip the solo church organist who
was required to play.
Protocol: Optional
The $tandard: $15 - $20 per musician
When to Tip: At the end of the ceremony.
Wedding Photographer/Videographer
You're not expected to give your shutterbugs any dough beyond their normal fees. Yet if the
wedding photographer
or videographer doesn't own the studio, consider tipping each person
(or give a certain amount with a thank-you note to disperse to staff).
Protocol: Optional
The $tandard: $50 - $200 per vendor
When to Tip: At the end of the reception.
Wedding Reception Staff
This type of staff includes the on-site
coordinator, maitre d', and banquet manager. A service charge (typically
2 percent) is almost always built in to the food and drink fee, so
check your contract. If the gratuity is not included, tip as follows.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 - $300 for the maitre d'.
When to Tip:
If it's covered in the contract, the final bill is typically due before
the reception. Otherwise, have the father of the bride or best man hand
the envelope to the maitre d' at the end of the reception since you
will need to know the final tab to calculate the percentage.
Wedding Reception Attendants
When it comes to bartenders,
waitstaff, parking, bathroom, and coat-room attendants the rules of
tipping are dictated by your contract. If the service fee is included,
consider doling out extra only if the service was exceptional. If it's
not included, ask ahead of time how many attendants will be working your
wedding and calculate on a per person basis.
Protocol: Optional, based on contract
The $tandard: $20 - $25 per bartender or waiter; $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants; $1 per car
When to Tip:
Although tips are traditionally passed out at the end of the event, you
could alternately distribute them at the beginning of the evening, to
encourage all the workers to give you great service.
Wedding Reception Band or DJ
Whether you hire 12-piece swing
band or grooving to a DJ, tipping musicians is completely optional.
(Depending on the quality of the job and how willing they were to follow
your ideal playlist!) And don't forget about any sound technicians they
bring with them.
Protocol: Optional, yet preferred
The $tandard: $20 - $25 per musician; $50 - $150 for DJs
When to Tip: At the end of the reception, by the best man.