Wedding Etiquette Forum

Cash Tips?!

So I'm very new to this wedding thing :) I haven't been in a wedding..or even helped plan them so I'm not sure about certain things!
Like cash tips for photograhers...DJ...bartenders...reception hall...officiant... Are we supposed to tip all of these people..or just their fees are alone enough?
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We went putt putting on the ship the day after we became engaged..so that is why there is a pink golf ball in his hand! :)

Re: Cash Tips?!

  • edited April 2011
    If they own their own business, then no, you don't have to tip them (unless you want to, for exceptional service).  Otherwise, yes.

    If your bartenders are on staff at the reception hall, you'll probably give the hall one tip for them to split out among their staff.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_cash-tips-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:ee151368-698e-4516-98b6-cc06122d60dbPost:d2e707f4-6ed2-4eab-bd9d-4229219f1a03">Cash Tips?!</a>:
    [QUOTE]So I'm very new to this wedding thing :) I haven't been in a wedding..or even helped plan them so I'm not sure about certain things! Like cash tips for photograhers...DJ...bartenders...reception hall...officiant... Are we supposed to tip all of these people..or just their fees are alone enough?
    Posted by akothera[/QUOTE]

    You can tip your DJ, bartender, and officient. Reception hall not so much, you've paid for it already who cares? Photographer is your call really. Is he/she going to be there all day? Will you be providing them food? Will their conditions be strenuous? Are you all ready paying them a lot? I believe its your call but everyone loves a tip :).
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  • I tipped the Photographer by buying some prints from him.  I didn't want to 'tip' until I saw the final product KWIM?

    DJ - tipped him even though he owned his own business.  He was amazing

    Bartenders - is it included in your contract?  We had to pay a set service fee of $30 an hour for up to 8 hours.  We tipped on top of that (but not 20% because their hourly rate is high).

    Reception Hall -  ??  I'm not sure what you mean on this?  If it's the servers, then yes.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • Check your contracts.  Some of mine had tip built in (reception hall had a tip for all the set-up people and servers/bartenders/coordinator), limo had tip included, etc.  Others we tipped separately.
  • We gave cash tips to:
    -bartenders
    - valets
    - DJ
    - musicians
    - photographer
    - day-of coordinator

    Our servers had their tip included in the cost of our reception. Other people often tip the cake baker, florist, and officiant. I also tipped the hair and make up artist.










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  • As Mica has said, be sure to check your contracts. I know my venue already has a service fee built in so I won't be providing additional tips, but I will be sending a thank you note that they can use as a reference for future brides.

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  • I like this website for advice on tipping:

    http://www.frugalbride.com/tipping.html

    We basically followed it.
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