Tipping vendors

millersox2184

FI and I have been discussing this lately and he doesn't think we really have to tip anyone (which I don't agree with) but I was wondering if anyone else has thought about this.  I have read some posts on the E board but I think I am more confused about it then when I started.  I know gratuity is already factored into the venue so I won't have to tip them and I will be tipping my hair stylist no matter what.  Do you have to tip the photographer, DJ and photobooth attendant?  I don't believe that gratuity is included in any of these contracts but I will have to double check to make sure.

I know on the E board, they said that if it is a one person operation and the owner is doing the service then you technically don't have to tip.  Our photographer is the owner and only one who will be taking our pictures so I am unsure about him.  Our DJ is also the owner but he will have an MC with him.  Does it depend on how good of a job they do?  I am pretty positive that I will be tipping the photobooth attendee only because he will be putting a scrapbook together for us and has to deal with all the drunks taking pictures with props. 

One last thing, how much do you plan on tipping if you do? 

rustytammy

I remembered seeing this when I was cruising Yahoo one day.  http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/a-guide-to-wedding-tipping-351961.html;_ylt=A2KJNF8LG99R5nYAbughmolQ

09McSteph03

I have thought a lot about this.  

Our DJ, Baker, Photographer and officiant (not affiliated with a church) are their own business.  I do not plan to tip them.  But I do plan to send a handwritten thank you card.  

I won't do anything for the florist.  They have few few things to put together for me and I am picking up my own stuff.  

Our wedding coordinator has been ah-freaking-mazing.  I plan to send her a card and flowers after.

Gratuities are included in our catering, and it's already 20%.  I don't see a need to tip anything more for staff taking care of the guests.

I have a make up artist and hair stylist coming on site to do my hair and makeup as well as my MOH's.  I will tip each one $50 (I think) which is 25% of the total service performed.  I will know for sure how much I will tip after I got for my trial.  

I think I covered everyone.

millersox2184

Thank you all so much for your input. This has helped a lot!

@rustytammy - that article is great... I will definitely be referencing this the closer we get to the wedding.

Stina51286

I looked this up a few weeks ago and read a few articles.

They did state that if the vendor is the owner, and the are the only one providing the service, you don't tip unless it is in the contract.

People we have to tip are the bus driver, hair stylists, and umm I think thats it. Our bakery is a big local bakery that we don't even need a contract with so they wont be getting tipped. Our DJ and officiant are family/friends, they aren't charging us anything, but we will be getting them some really nice gifts.

[Deleted User]

Right now I am planning on tipping: hair stylist, & photogs. I need to check our DJ's contract, and we're going to give the officiant a "fee" (since FH is a member of the church we don't have to, but we want to). I don't plan on tipping the caterer or bakery, though. 

The photogs are also family friends, I was considering going and buying them a small gift (in addition to the tip). Thoughts? (I know they have a "thing" for local coffee shops, so I was going to see if I could find some really unique/artsy mugs and some good coffee beans.)

ETA: As for how much? I don't know yet. I guess I'll take a look and see how much we're paying them, and then go from there. I think what I'll do is have a % range for the tip, if they do awesome we'll tip them on the high side, if we feel they did an "average" job, we'll give them a normal tip, etc. I'm betting the range will be like, 17-27%.

libby18bell

We are doing the standard tipping, but I'm also doing an envelope that will have money in it that depending on how the night goes we can tip more.  For instance if the DJ is phenomenal, it's a husband and wife team we'll tip them.  If the wait staff and bartenders go above and beyond then we'll tip them more than the contract price.  I know from my years of waitressing and bartending it's always nice to feel the extra amount of appreciation at the end of the night for a job well done.  

millersox2184

I will definitely be tipping my hairstylist and also the photobooth attendee for sure.  If the DJ and his MC do a great job then I will probably throw them something too.  I probably won't be tipping my photographer only because he is the owner and the only one doing our photos.  We are already paying 18% gratuity to the vendor and our cake is included in our package.  I won't even meet our baker at all.  I sent some pictures of cakes I like to my coordinator and he relayed those to the baker.  It is pretty much going to be a surprise what our cake looks like but I am sure it will be great. 

I can't really think of anyone else so it doesn't seem too bad now that I write it down.  Is everyone tipping them in cash or do you plan on giving checks?  It is ok to give a check?  I just think it will be hard to make sure we have enough cash on us in case we are feeling generous with some vendors.  Obviously the ones we know we will tip I will bring enough cash for.  There are so many little things I never even thought of!!!

libby18bell

We are tipping in cash.  I'm labeling envelopes accordingly and will have them stuffed and sealed.  If we want to put more in, then I just hand them that with the envelope.  

millersox2184

libby18bell said:

We are tipping in cash.  I'm labeling envelopes accordingly and will have them stuffed and sealed.  If we want to put more in, then I just hand them that with the envelope.  

That's a good idea.  We will definitely be doing that as well.

rustytammy

I saved the article to my favorites to refer back to.  As we have the venue for free I want to tip the people who will be staying behind to clean up but I'm just not sure what to tip.  $50 seems too little but $100 a person seems like a lot; I believe there are about 6 people who will be helping out that day/evening.  We have to make one last trip up there to work out final details and that is one of my questions.  

Friends are doing the catering and cake so nice gifts for them.  The photog is the owner so nothing there, I will tell her she is welcome to stick around and eat if she would like as the food is AMAZING!! My brother is the officiant so another nice gift for him as well.  

Well, I just added to my budget!  LOL 

libby18bell

@rustytammy, it is customary to include your vendors in the food.  Meaning we will have a seat reserved for our photographer, our djs and our videographer.  Just need to find out as it gets closer their meal choice, but they typically do eat.

Hourd43

I will be tipping my hairstylist, DJ and makeup artist, our limo and venue tip is already included in the fee they quoted us.
Just like libbybell I am going to have envelopes with certain amounts for each vendor in them and have extra cash on hand if I feel like it is deserved by amazing service.  Haven't decided if I am going to tip the photographers or not but will have an envelope with their name on it with cash in it just in case I want to tip them.  With a $2800 cost for photos it's hard to think of dishing out more (even though I knew the price when I booked them and still decided to book them), but if they are amazing I will definitely give them some extra.
I won't be tipping the cupcakes person or florist but I will definitely be taking them a nice thank you note and maybe take some flowers to the cupcake person and some cupcakes to the florist.

rustytammy

@snippett17 there is nothing in the contract that states that we are required to provide food.  Just a half hour break.

libby18bell

Our contracts don't specify food, but I guess I just know that's it's common courtesy to provide them with a meal.  

09McSteph03

libby18bell said:

Our contracts don't specify food, but I guess I just know that's it's common courtesy to provide them with a meal.  

It most certainly is a courtesy. 

Edited to make sense.

soccerharry

With vendor meals, if you feed them there they can still see whats happening. If you give them a break but no meal, they're going to leave your reception (go to car, go to Subway) to eat.

rkbo

Ok, we are planning to feed a couple of our vendors (dj, photogs) What should I expect as far as their eating time deducting from paid time? Meaning, if they are only contracted from 5-9 and they take a half hour to sit and eat something, would their time then be extended to 930? Or am I just having to lose the half hour and pay for their meal? I know if I wanted to add a half hour or an hour to the time they would charge an arm and a leg! Hell, I think our photogs charge $600 for an extra hour!

millersox2184

@rhawndas - That is a really good point and I would like to know everyone's thoughts on this.  Also, where does the DJ eat?  Does he sit at a regular table with the other vendors and leave the music?  As far as I know, none of our vendors have meals included in their contracts other then our photo booth but I do intend on feeding all of them. 

Our photo booth contract states that they will pay for the meal for their attendant and will set it up with the venue if we provide them with the contact info.  I will probably just take care of this myself so they don't have to worry about it and I will end up paying it for them. 

Hourd43

My venue gives a discount for vendor meals(they are at least half the price of my regular meals), see if your venue does this as well maybe?

As per my venue: the DJ eats at his booth.   I am having the photographers sit at a table with some friends, because my photographers are around our age and will get along really well with my friends.  This way they are there for the whole time I am paying them and they will get pictures of us doing our first dance (which we are doing right when we come in before dinner) and our speeches, plus some other candids.

libby18bell

Am I missing something? Or do I just have awesome people doing our stuff.  Our djs are a husband and wife team and they even asked our attire and colors ahead of time so they can dress appropriately.  They will look no different than a regular guest.  We are giving them some music ideas for dinner music, and I assume that's the music they will have playing while they also eat, Frank Sinatra, that style.  We don't have a time limit on our photographer, she's with us pretty much all day, the same with our videographer.  I get that we are paying them for a service, but I wouldn't dream of not providing them with dinner and a seat, and yes our numbers are tight, but they were included from the get go.  I'm also not entirely sure our contracts specify food, but I still wouldn't not feed them.

soccerharry

My DJ has written specifically to not feed him or his photobooth attendant, while the photographer requires 2 meals for her and her assistant. My caterer provides boxed vendor meals at a discount, but idk where she will go to eat them since I'm at a museum.

rkbo

I called our venue to ask my questions. They only charge $22.95 for vendor meals as opposed to $60 for guests and they are put at a table of their own instead of with guests. But they will be in the same room. 

09McSteph03

Everyone else already said it but you'll first want to contact your venue and caterer.  Often times they will offer a discounted "boxed" meal for the vendors (mine is $18 and they can choose between a hamburger, turkey sandwich or hotdog I think and can choose the day of).  Or I can pay for them as a guest and they can help themselves to the buffet we are offering everyone.  The next step is to either make the decision for your vendor if it isn't already specified in the contract OR, ask the vendor directly what they prefer.  You do not have to sit them with guests and I doubt most would want that.  They are contracted to perform a service and most want to do a good job since it's a one shot opportunity.  A photographer can't often recreate memories.  

I know my contracts do not really include directive on meals, so I plan to just pay for them as guests.  Since it's not plated, I have no issues with them helping themselves anytime they have a break to the same food everyone else is having.  I feel like they are providing several hours of services and if they are hungry and have low blood sugar then they won't perform well.  So, food they will get and I trust that their professionalism will dictate how discretely they eat.  

edited to create spacing for tired eyes.

jenphotochick

The weddings Ive shot in the past; I do not extend my hours (from the photography side of it) to grab a bite, most of my brides dont mind where the vendors are; either on the move; at there own table or mixing and mingling with the guests. And its just the same food as a regular guest. I never expect to be served; but after an 8-14 hour day; a good meal is really helpful to keep going at the event. But at the same time I'm not sitting the whole dinner gabbin and chowing down; i tend to eat pretty quickly and also at the end of the guests; so I can photograph them going through the line, then i will eat a little and then photograph tables during dinner; and while the newlyweds are walking around greeting people

hope this helps

Lana285

Our photographer and DJ we are providing meals of course and I will be tipping my MUA, possibly. (I disagree with her ethics since she charges double for wedding makeup and hair than she does for "special occasion" and it is the same thing.) We aren't going to tip anyone else since the venue is mainly all inclusive and the service charge covers that.

EmilyTork

We will tip our photographers, hair lady and DJ. We are getting a great deal on photographers (50% off?) and our DJ is free (FFIL is part owner in company) so they will get considerable tips. 

Photographers and DJ will get "normal" buffet meals. DJ plans to eat at his station but our photographers are friends so they will have a seat with friends. 

Also- flowers and cake are being done by owners (run their own companies.) Tip is included in reception cost for venue. They require 17% tax and gratuity so they are well-taken care of. 

jenphotochick

The closer I get the more I'm thinking of not tipping my dj..... He gave us a great deal... But he is horribleeeeee at communication and scheduling when to go figure out the lighting at the hall..... So his tip is solely going to depend on a stellar music night.....

09McSteph03

jenphotochick said:

The closer I get the more I'm thinking of not tipping my dj..... So his tip is solely going to depend on a stellar music night.....

That's 300% fair.  I hope when it comes down to the wedding day, he really does perform above par.  Not for a good tip but because you deserve great entertainment.  

shannie11

For dinners my venue said that we pay a discounted price for the Dj and photographers meals.  I know I have multiple photographers so I hope they don't all eat at once.  As for the DJ I don't mind if he eats when we all eat.  My venue has a separate banquet hall next door used for showers and such.  It use to be a restaurant. He said this is where the vendors will all eat.   I am sure your venue knows how to deal with this since it is not their first wedding.