Tipping help!!!

bridgetlb

Ok, i need help... i know how to tip my hair and makeup person, but what about these people:
my photographer?
the dj (which is a friend of the groom, so no contract, but a good price)?
the cake person (made by a friend who does cakes on the side)?
florist?

fallbride1109

No
Yes
No
No

If they do a really great job of course and you want to reward them, then by all means go ahead.  But no one except the DJ should be expecting one.

Here's a good article I used when planning:

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-budget/articles/wedding-vendor-tipping-cheat-sheet.aspx

shortgirltx

We tipped all 4 of them variying amounts for various reasons even though we didn't HAVE to per articles like the one stephie posted.

Tiffany618

I'm confused on this too, but not on who to tip but WHEN?   Aside from hair/makeup artists I'm not sure how you can pre-prepare a tip when you don't know how the service will be.

It seems like it would be better to send thank you notes after the fact, but I don't know.

fallbride1109

We had tip envelopes ready to go at our wedding for our DJ and ceremony musicians (and my MUA).  Luckily they deserved them! 

Just FYI--I didn't get to tip my MUA until afterwards because everything was so hectic.  I would designate that tip envelope to the MOH or a BM to handle, maybe even a mom because it's crazy for the bridal party as well.

shortgirltx

We made envelopes several days in advance but I wish we could have given them the tip after we experienced their service, or like you said Tiffany-sending them a thank you after the wedding, which makes much more sense, because you're right, you can't predict their service.

I know our tip amount would have probably changed after we experienced their service.  Plus I kind of wondered if our issues that we had were because we didn't give them as much as they think they deserved.  Subpar tip=subpar service?  

Tiffany618

shortgirl- you may be right.   We will probably prepare envelopes, but they definitely won't get them until the end of the night. 

I was thinking if (hopefully they won't!) give subpar service then I just won't give them one, and send an adjusted amount in a card or something later. 

Stephie- thanks for the tip!  I think I will definitely assign the hair/MUA's to my Mom.  My hair stylist has done my hair since I was a kid (and does my Mom's too) so thats no big deal, but I don't want our MUA to slip away without her tip. 

ewinkler1977

People we tipped

DOC- she was our friend and did an amazing job and kept us ahead of schedule
MC/DJ - our groomsman so we tipped him.  Our music was strung through an ipod but he kept things going
Stylist - I loved how she did my hair
Make-up - again a friend and tipped them and
Caterer/Bartendar- tipped. The constantly were restocking the buffett and checking on things. They also helped with the cake even though they didn't make it. They did cut it and pass it out to our guests
Photographer - we tipped them. They were with us for a good chuck of the day and went above and beyond.  I know magazines say not to tip photographers but I don't understand that one. I mean they are with you more then the DJ/Cater/Stylist, etc

We did not tip our florists because we used a local nursey and picked everything up ourselves and did the groomsman did the set-up.  If they had done the set-up and what not I would have tipped them

We didn't have a limo so no tip there.

Oh we tip give donation to our church as a tip.

Terriniski

We had envelopes prepared in advanced and planned to give them out after we received each service (e.g., when the flowers were delivered, handed over the envelope; when the reception was over, tipped the caterer and staff).  We stuffed the envelopes with cash, even in the cases of individual vendors, so that we could readjust if necessary - and I had an envelope with a few extra bills so I could add to the tip if we felt it was deserved.  Worked out pretty easily, I think.

bridgetlb

i'm still confused on how much i should pay (not tip -but actually pay) my priest and how much to the church.... he says "whatever you feel like".... but i like exact numbers!!! btw, it is a small catholic church and we are paying the music person separately.

Mariah09202008

I gave my officiant $250.  I felt like it was a good price considering he met with us 4 times before the wedding and drove out from Grand Praire to Denton 2 times for the rehearsal and wedding.

juliebug1997

We gave our priest about $200/250 as well. 

wagnerj3

I am confused on why you would tip the caterer.  I thought it was standard for them to write a 20% tip into the contract.  That is what ours is doing and what all of them did in the proposals. I can't imagine givng more than 20% after spending what we are spending. 

As for the DJ, what percentage did you all tip your DJ?

fallbride1109

We tipped our DJ 10% ($150).  All of our other reception vendors were also covered by the 20% service charge.  We did give the 2 main ladies that helped with the reception and brunch (don't know what their titles are) $50 each extra though because they really were exceptional.

And I did not tip my wedding planner because she sucked.