I'm back! And tipping question

Masunaga

So I'm back after our mini-honeymoon (the real one to Japan will be in the spring to see the cherry blossoms!). Everything was amazing and wonderful!! I'm still on a high from it all :)Some sneak peak pics from our photog are at http://tinyurl.com/yczgwt8Also, wondering about tipping. We didn't prepare tips to hand out on our wedding day, because we wanted to see how everything turned out...and it's a good thing because we had some unfortunate incidents with a couple of vendors...nothing so bad that I let it get to me but more on that when I post the vendor review.So I'm going to send tips in thank you cards, but I'm reading a lot of mixed, different info on different sites about who should be tipped, who shouldn't, and how much. Do any of you ladies know general etiquette/guidance/advice about this?TIA!

Mrs.Purdue

congrats on the wedding!my general rule for tipping was if they owned their own business, I did not tip (exception would probably be catering/bartender, since you always tip the waitstaff).  If the person was working for a company, then they don't get all the $ that you're paying out, so they would get a tip. 

sozay23

I always heard the same thing- tip those that don't own their own company. I followed that except for the DJ. Byrne owns his own company but he was so amazing that by the end of the night I did give him extra. He deserved it and I wanted to acknowledge that.

sarainaustin

I have always been told tip ANYONE who went above and beyond to make your wedding day special.  If you think "My wedding would have never been as amazing without ___________" then tip them.  of course, catering/serving staff usually expect it.  But then again, double check the contract to see if gratuity was already added in.  Some caterers have already added it.  But remember, a service charge is NOT the same as gratuity. 

But showing appreciation to a vendor who was amazing even if they weren't on the "must tip" list is only good ettiquette... especially if they really helped your day be AMAZING and stressfree!