Vendor tips

dem068

For people who tipped vendors day of the wedding, how exactly did you go about it?  I know that tips are not required, etc, but want to be able to tip people if they are doing an awesome job, but am not sure about the logistics around it.  For example, if I end up wanting to tip the limo driver, should I just have some extra cash/envelopes on me, and give it to him at some point?  Do I ask my FI/one of the groomsmen (my brother is one, so I would ask him), so hold some cash/envelopes for me, since they have pockets? 

Kate61487

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_vendor-tips-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:617f7cea-7579-46e9-a59b-1b2f59e137a1Post:c4ac0805-68d6-4e8f-80bd-dd0ac508b452">Vendor tips</a>:
[QUOTE]For people who tipped vendors day of the wedding, how exactly did you go about it?  <strong>I know that tips are not required</strong>, etc, but want to be able to tip people if they are doing an awesome job, but am not sure about the logistics around it.  For example, if I end up wanting to tip the limo driver, should I just have some extra cash/envelopes on me, and give it to him at some point?  Do I ask my FI/one of the groomsmen (my brother is one, so I would ask him), so hold some cash/envelopes for me, since they have pockets? 
Posted by dem068[/QUOTE]

strictly speaking you're right; if tipping was required it would just be included in the fee.  But, that said, unless the limo driver/dj/photographer is also the business owner it is pretty well expected and generally considerate to tip. 

I'd have an envelope per vendor; have the normal 15 or 20% that you'd tip in there and then maybe have some extra cash if you do feel the need to tip EXTRA for a great job.  You may need to have that envelope anyway for their final payment, presuming some are being paid day-of.

I'd also delegate this job to someone else.  Perhaps it's b/c my parents were already handling those details and the final payments and such; but I would have completely forgotten about doing this on my wedding day.  It wasn't even on my radar.

daria24

I put the cash in envelopes that morning, and gave them to my DOC to disperse at the end of the night. We agreed that she could grab my attention before the end of the night to make sure I didn't want to alter the amount. 

Also-make sure to check your bill for the limo driver-in my experience, there is always gratuity added to private car service. Of course you can add more to that tip, but you might already be paying 15-20% to the driver.

dem068

Thanks, that is helpful.  Most of my vendors require full payment a few weeks before the wedding (other than photographer/videographer), so I will probably just give my dad some envelopes of money to hold/hand out as necessary

MuppetOverlord

do you just tip people who don't own the business? In my case, every one of my vendors owns the business.

The DJ suggests in his contract that we tip him. My first thought is that he's already getting plenty.