Tips?

DorkyGirl17

So I'm trying to be on top of all the last minute wedding stuff and was wondering about who/how much to tip?  My vendors are DJ (1), photographers (2 sisters- it's their company), my DOC (I've worked with the owner of the company who is also doing my bouquet & BP's, but will have someone else the day of), make-up and hair (2), videographer (1- he's' the owner) and our guitarist for the ceremony.

I had read someplace that if it's an owner of a company, you don't have to worry about tipping.  What are you guys doing? 

poultryprincess

That thing about not tipping the owner is nonsense. Its found its way into all of the planning guides and lists, and I'm really bothered by it. I tipped EVERY one of my vendors, wether they owned the company or not. And here's why.

Imagine if you went to a restaurant. The owners work the place, the husband is the waiter and the wife is the chef. Would it be appropriate to eat, pay your bill, but not leave a tip because they own the place? No one in their right mind would say that. 

Same thing goes for wedding vendors. You tip because you feel they went above and beyond and gave good service. You dont tip simply because 'well, this magazine says I do...', you tip because you felt that particular person did a great job.

So, if your photographers were fantastic, tip them. If your florist was a pain in the ass and didnt set the centerpeices up, don't. It is irrelevant who owns the company. 

missv19732000

I personally believe in tipping everyone.  A person's service would really have to be pure "poop" for me not to tip.  However, the tips vary according to how well of a job the individuals did.  I would say 12-15% for people who did the bare minimum.  18-20% to someone who went above and beyond and 25% for those who did an outstanding job.

poultryprincess

I agree with you, Missv for the most part - but for weddings its kinda hard to do that. My photographer and videograper cast about $5000. They both did a GREAT job, and really went above and beyond. But I dont really think a $600+ tip for each one is realistic. I gave each a hundred dollars, which they were VERY appreciate of. I tipped my DJ $100 also and my florist $200 to divvy up (there were like 4 or 5 people there helping get everything set up)

The idea is, even if you only tip a small amount, if its heartfelt and you do it because they did a great job, its appropriate. The one vendor I DIDNT tip was my steel drum musician - he showed up late, had to borrow a cord and a speaker from my DJ and just really stressed me out. Once he was playing it was great, but he started 20 minutes later than he was supposed to - no tip.

missv19732000

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-south-florida_tips-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:67Discussion:ed5b0dae-4d89-4d34-a0b1-cad44ae73754Post:f0f9ecbf-6bff-4db0-a4ce-7aa5f69d609f">Re: Tips?</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with you, Missv for the most part - but for weddings its kinda hard to do that. My photographer and videograper cast about $5000. They both did a GREAT job, and really went above and beyond. But I dont really think a $600+ tip for each one is realistic. I gave each a hundred dollars, which they were VERY appreciate of. I tipped my DJ $100 also and my florist $200 to divvy up (there were like 4 or 5 people there helping get everything set up) The idea is, even if you only tip a small amount, if its heartfelt and you do it because they did a great job, its appropriate. The one vendor I DIDNT tip was my steel drum musician - he showed up late, had to borrow a cord and a speaker from my DJ and just really stressed me out. Once he was playing it was great, but he started 20 minutes later than he was supposed to - no tip.

Very good point!  I guess I was thinking about wait staff and that amount gets divided amongst all of them.  Yeah, the DJ, Video guy and Photog are getting about $100 each.  :-)