Tipping Advice

smith5jm

I apologize in advance for the detailed post   We are trying to finalize our budget and take into account an estimate for tipping our vendors.  We have the following vendors-

DJ- we will have 2 DJ's, 1 is the owner of the DJ company.  The DJ company is also providing the uplighting and dance floor lighting for the reception.  Should we tip both DJ's, even though one of them owns the company?  Should we tip based on the total bill (including lighting) or just on the service portion?

Photog- again we will have 2 photographers, 1 is the owner of the studio and she will have an assistant.  Should we tip both?  And if so, should we wait until the proofs are in and the final payment is due?  if that is the case, would you tip the assistant on the day of?

Waiters- We will be having a buffet and our contract inclues 1 waiter for every 4 tables.  The contract price includes a service charge.  Do you still tip them?  If so, do you tip every waiter individually or a total amount to the "head" waiter (assuming there is one)?  How do you recommend calculating the amount per waiter?

Bar Tender-  The contract price includes a service charge- do you still tip?  And how do you recommend calculating the amount? 

Venue Coordinator- The contract is inclusive of service of service charge- do you still tip?   

Any advice that you have would be helpful.  Thanks! 
 

s-aries8990

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-advice-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f1ad1d87-8181-401a-93be-40e1486290d8Post:fc365e33-4b44-44d6-b7a6-3d97e6c1e119">Tipping Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]I apologize in advance for the detailed post :)  We are trying to finalize our budget and take into account an estimate for tipping our vendors.  We have the following vendors- DJ- we will have 2 DJ's, 1 is the owner of the DJ company.  The DJ company is also providing the uplighting and dance floor lighting for the reception.  <strong>Should we tip both DJ's, even though one of them owns the company?</strong>  Should we tip based on the <strong>total bill (including lighting) or just on the service portion</strong>? Photog- again we will have 2 photographers, 1 is the owner of the studio and she will have an assistant. <strong> Should we tip both?</strong>  And if so, should we wait until the<strong> proofs are in and the final payment is due?</strong>  if that is the case, would you tip the assistant on the <strong>day of?</strong> Waiters- We will be having a buffet and our contract inclues 1 waiter for every 4 tables.  The contract price<strong> includes a service charge.</strong> <strong> Do you still tip them? </strong> If so, do you tip every waiter individually or a total amount to the "head" waiter (assuming there is one)?  <strong>How do you recommend calculating the amount per waiter?</strong> Bar Tender-  The contract price includes a <strong>service charge- do you still tip?</strong>  And how do you recommend calculating the amount?  Venue Coordinator- The contract is <strong>inclusive of service of service charge- do you still tip? </strong>   Any advice that you have would be helpful.  Thanks!   
Posted by smith5jm[/QUOTE]

Gratuity is an extra payment to show gratitude. They are never necessary and should always be based on service and experience.

DJ- If you are happy with both, tip both. The idea that a business owner shouldn't get tipped is BS. Usually a small business owner gets less take-home pay than the big guys because they are setting their prices to stay competitive, not to buy a BMW.  Tip based on the experience. Are the lighting and dancefloor just satisfactory? The don't tip on that portion. Are they uh-mazing? Then tip on that portion. Is the service just satisfactory? Just alright? Then don't tip. If the service is stellar, then tip.

Photog- If you are happy with both, tip both. If you would like to give them both a tip on the day of because of how they acted and interacted with guests, made you feell, etc, then do so with a small tip. I'd save the main tip for after the photos are completed. Again, are they just satisfactory? No need to give a good tip. Are they super stellar, and make you look awesome? Then give a good tip. Tipping before the end gives little incentive to finish the job well.

Waitstaff- Call the company to see if the service charge includes gratuity. It may only go to their wages and other incurred costs like laundering linnens, laundering uniforms, gas, vehicle insurance for the van that carries all of the supplies, etc. If it does NOT include gratuity, then tip approx 15% of the food bill (not necessarily including the service fees). I suggest setting aside 20% and then deciding the total amount you'll give then (write yourself a stickey note with how much 10%, 15% and 20% is). That way, f they suck you can give less but if they rock you can give more. They will divide it amongst themselves.

Bartender- same as waitstaff. See if service charge includes gratuity. Tip approx 15% of the alcohol bill but budget for 20%. Tip based on service.

DOC- check if the service fee includes gratuity. I don't know a benchmark for a DOC tip. Maybe like$150-300? Depending on if and how much she rocks?

Jcbgs

Im justing wondering if you r paying thousands of dollars to various vendors why do u still have to tip.  Im only having 1 vender and and she is only charging a fee of 25 dollar over cost. I am defintly going to give her a nice tip. Just wondering.

s-aries8990

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-advice-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f1ad1d87-8181-401a-93be-40e1486290d8Post:ebd6cca2-6bd1-4e73-9a72-8c4da3772a49">Re: Tipping Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]Im justing wondering if you r paying thousands of dollars to various vendors why do u still have to tip.  Im only having 1 vender and and she is only charging a fee of 25 dollar over cost. I am defintly going to give her a nice tip. Just wondering.
Posted by Jcbgs[/QUOTE]
<strong>
Tipping is never required; it is always optional. </strong>

Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation to the vendor - if your hairstylist gave you an incredible updo that perfectly matched that photo from pinterest, or your catering staff was totally awesome, kept up on refilling water glasses, quickly cleared away empty plates, and were genial while staying out of the way, <em>why WOULDN'T you tip them? </em>A tip can always be given a a date after the event (besides waitstaff) so it's good to wait until the product/service makes it until the end of the night.

Jcbgs

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_tipping-advice-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:f1ad1d87-8181-401a-93be-40e1486290d8Post:db41c584-9871-41d3-9a63-7e57f8f6bd3a">Re: Tipping Advice</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Tipping Advice : Tipping is never required; it is always optional. Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation to the vendor - if your hairstylist gave you an incredible updo that perfectly matched that photo from pinterest, or your catering staff was totally awesome, kept up on refilling water glasses, quickly cleared away empty plates, and were genial while staying out of the way, why WOULDN'T you tip them? A tip can always be given a a date after the event (besides waitstaff) so it's good to wait until the product/service makes it until the end of the night.
Posted by sydaries[/QUOTE]

Thanks I was just wondering.  I usually do tip. I havnt had the big numbers for vendors as my wedding is very small