Tipping stress, please help!

Bunches23

Sorry to ask this question as I know there are similar posts already, but I am getting myself stressed over tipping. I have two ladies coming to my hotel to do my hair and makeup (just me, no bridesmaids) it was quite expensive $250. Do I tip them individual in envelopes, if so how much do you recommend? Also we are getting married at the COF, they have also recommended tips for limo drivers, photographers etc, but nothing About wedding planners, do I tip her? Is it expected, If so how much do you suggest? Sorry for the questions but this tipping subject is all new to me and would hate to upset anyone. Thanks in advance for you help

[Deleted User]

Disclaimer: Most of these are my personal opinion, marginally influenced by "etiquette," and I am a generous and sometimes excessive tipper. Feel free to ignore these suggestions completely if they're not in your budget or you just think they're ridiculous.

1. HMUA: Are the two ladies the owners of their own business or employees? If they own their own business, etiquette says a tip is not necessary. Otherwise you should tip. I would personally give them each $20 as long as I'm satisfied with the result regardless of ownership.

2. Limo Drivers: I'd say yes, you should tip, but the amount is kind of fuzzy. Is it included in the package you've purchased through COF? If so, I would base my tip on how long you're in the car. Something like $10 if it's under 20 min and $15-$20 for longer. If you can get the "value" of the limo service, take about 10-15% of that as a guideline for tip.

3. Photographers: This is kind of hard b/c a tip is intended for a job well done, and you may not be able to see the photos ahead of time. I think anything between $20 and $50 would be a generous tip, depending on how long you have the photographer and how much you liked working with him or her.

4. Wedding planner: I think this is generally considered a service you can skip the tip on. Another way you can "tip" is by letting management know how great they were, reviews on Yelp, WeddingWire, Knot forums, etc.

Bonus tipping tips (these may be obvious but just covering the bases):

Bellmen and taxi stand workers: Pretty much anyone handling your luggage at any point should get $1-$2 each time you interact with them. If you have a lot of stuff or a complicated request, $2-$5 would be more appropriate.

Casino floor waitresses: The more you tip them, the faster they'll get you drinks $2+ per drink is a good rule of thumb. If you're extra "thirsty", sweeten them up with $10-$20 for your first drink.

vegasgroom

Except when snagging a limo for cash at the valet stand, most of the time the tip is included in your bill so read the fine print.  If it's included as part of the wedding package, that's a tough one, but if the limo driver is an employee of the chapel and the limo is chapel-owned, I'd be less included to be generous on the tip because the chapel should be paying the driver a fair wage to work there.  I'd ask the wedding coordinator from the chapel in writing in advance if the limo driver works for tips or not, and if they say yes he or she does, and the price of the limo is a fairly high line item on the overall bill, I'd ask them to lower it because you plan to tip the driver and their rate is not fair at X if they also expect you to tip the driver.

For the HMUA, I wouldn't be inclined to tip when you're effectively being charged what will likely be the equivalent of about $125+/hour; assuming they take about two hours to get everything done.  If they're employees and not self employed, then that seems even more expensive and perhaps worth shopping around.

With what COF charges for photography and prints I'd tell them FU if they expect you to tip the photographer and remind them they should be paying the photographer a livable wage based on what they charge.

Wedding planners employed by the chapel you're using I feel like it's their job to do their job and they don't need a tip.

Exceptional service of course I always tip regardless.  Valets, taxis, bartenders, wait staff, dealers, etc. I always tip.

Bunches23

Thank you guys, your opinions have really helped:)

lynnmr1884

What about the minister/ officiant at the ceremony?

vegasgroom

What about the minister/ officiant at the ceremony?

In most case, the officiant is being paid cash/check by you directly on wedding day (officiants aren't employees at most strip resorts) so unless he/she is unusually good, I wouldn't feel obligated to tip.  If the officiant is provided by the chapel as part of your chapel fees, then perhaps a small tip is warranted, but we're talking a 15 minute ceremony or less so I wouldn't get crazy.