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Tipping, I know this gets asked a ton!

SwizzleStiXSwizzleStiX member
First Comment
in DC
Who are we supposed to tip? I feel really overwhelmed by this and quite frankly, don't want to, haha. 

  • Our coordinators (there are two) own their business.
  • Photographer owns his business.
  • Reception includes a 20% service charge, so I figure that covers them.
  • DJ included "tip to be paid to DJ at end of event" on their contract, and they've been HELLACIOUS to work with, so I say no tip.
  • Hair stylist is including $50 travel fee from salon that is only a couple miles away
  • MUA owns her own business (tho I've e-mailed her a couple times and haven't heard from her lately, so who knows...)
  • Florist owns his own business
Anyone else I'm missing? What are your thoughts?

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Re: Tipping, I know this gets asked a ton!

  • LindsMullinixLindsMullinix member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I have been thinking about this recently too - I *think* - if someone owns the business a tip is not expected.  I also agree that the 20% service charge added by the reception venue should cover that portion.  As for the DJ - if he himself has been a pain to work with and you dont feel a tip is warranted, ok, but if its the company thats been a pain, and he does a good job - you may want to be prepared to tip him in that case.  As for the hairstylist - I plan to tip mine because even if I went to the salon to get my hair done , I would tip so I plan to tip for that, mine doesnt have a "extra" charge for traveling to us but I'm sure its factored into the pricing somewhere.  We also have a valet at our reception so I plan to have a tip for them seperate from the 20% but other then that I think that covers it all, except possibly an officiant donation?   
    -Linds
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  • snyderasnydera
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I plan to get a gift for our coordinator.  A nice gift basket of some sort, wine and cheese, pasta and cooking stuff, etc.  I plan to spend around $50-$75.

    Our reception also charges a service fee.  The only people we may tip are the bartenders.  I plan to ask the reception coordinator about this.

    I don't plan to tip the hairstylists or MUA. My BP are each paying for their hair and makeup so I will let them decide if they want to tip.

    We are not tipping the photographer, florist or cake vendor since they all own their own business.  We personally know the DJ and ceremony musician.  They are not charging us so we paid for a hotel room for each of them in DC after the wedding as a Thank You.

    I am not sure what we plan to do about the transportation.  I need to review the contract to see if a service fee is charged, if not, may tip them 10%.

    We are also having chairs delivered for our ceremony.  May do the same as transportation.

    I plan to check with my planner and ask her for a breakdown of who and how much we should tip.
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  • SwizzleStiXSwizzleStiX member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Good to know about the hair and MUA Snyder! 

    Did you tip at the trial? 
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  • calattcalatt member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Our reception site has a 22% service charge but it is not considered a tip (I asked about it, so you might want to check with your catering manager).  Because of this I think we plan to tip the wait staff, bartenders and our catering manager (who is basically our DOC)... but I just don't know how much!  Any suggestions?
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  • snyderasnydera
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I left a tip at the hair trial but not makeup since I traveled to her home in MD.
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  • SwizzleStiXSwizzleStiX member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_dc_tipping-this-gets-asked-ton?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:57Discussion:9468df3f-c19f-4a4c-a3db-8f72fdbff071Post:a837cf51-00b0-40f8-b41e-68f8d86c146b">Re: Tipping, I know this gets asked a ton!</a>:
    [QUOTE]Our reception site has a 22% service charge but it is not considered a tip (I asked about it, so you might want to check with your catering manager).  Because of this I think we plan to tip the wait staff, bartenders and our catering manager (who is basically our DOC)... but I just don't know how much!  Any suggestions?
    Posted by calatt[/QUOTE]

    To be honest with you, I think if they include a 22% service charge, I would NOT be inclined to tip.

    If the costs are actually 22% higher than they say, they need to just raise their prices.

    But FWIW, I'm a little bitter on tipping lately, so you can take that for what you will. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" />
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  • PressMePressMe member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Here's some help, ladies.

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