Tipping Vendors

Michelle_G · August 2010

Hey girls, I'm hoping that some of you can help me out. I usually post on my Aug 10 board, but topics like this are a little goofy since the result is so varied by region.

I am getting married 8/28, and wondering what the going tip rates are in Chicago. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I do know that you don't have to tip if the vendor owns their own business.

TIA!

TatiMarie · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_tipping-vendors?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:10893053-250c-465c-9497-74fa616c5edaPost:f10e536f-6e85-401f-a9b5-984055c5b36b">Tipping Vendors</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey girls, I'm hoping that some of you can help me out. I usually post on my Aug 10 board, but topics like this are a little goofy since the result is so varied by region. I am getting married 8/28, and wondering what the going tip rates are in Chicago. Any help would be greatly appreciated. <strong>I do know that you don't have to tip if the vendor owns their own business</strong>. TIA!
Posted by Michelle_G[/QUOTE]

I have heard people who disagree with this. I would do a litle more research on this because the more I've read, it's a pretty big misconception. However, I haven't been married yet and therefore haven't tipped my vendors. Sorry I can't be of more help!

unforgettable81 · August 2010

I heard the same...you didn't have to tip vendors if it was there own business. We only had a photographer and DJ. Both owned their own company so we did not tip. Our venue provided the catering and included a nice gratuity in the price so no tipping there.

My stylist, however, who does own her salon, was given a nice tip. She opened on Sunday to do both the mom's, my daughter's and my hair. She even touched up my MOH hair.

Otherwise I still believe 15-18% is a good tip.

HTH

njohnson0330 · August 2010

I tipped all my vendors except my limo company...they were not very good. 2 of my vendors owned there own company and but I still tipped them. They did a great job and deserved it!

jbll326 · August 2010

It's a controversial subject, but I feel VERY strongly that a tip should not depend on ownership of the company. A tip is an extra payment above the cost of the goods/service provided and is warranted when your experience is above and beyond your expectations. It has nothing to do with who's getting the rest of the money or what they get paid. If you feel like your vendors went the extra step to give you a very special day, you should definitely tip them.

With the exception of the venue, all of my vendors were owners and I tipped every single one of them. I did not tip anyone on the day of the wedding though - I sent each of them a very heartfelt thank you note and a check for the tip asap the next week. I gave a very generous tip for the vendors that blew me out of the water. After the wedding, you'll know what feels right to you depending on your experience. HTH!

Michelle_G · August 2010

Right I get what you're all saying, and coming from a service industry backgroud I will tip everyone... assuming they do what they are contracted to do. All I was saying is that you do not HAVE to tip owners, although you may should you so choose.

My question is... how much do you tip them? Is it a % or a flat rate? Any help there?

lilmeli22 · August 2010

Michelle_G.....I PM'd you.

carrieoneill · August 2010

I am curious to know the answer to this question too as coming from the UK the tipping culture is very different. Our preferred venue (although not confirmed yet) is doing all the food, alcohol etc and has union workers. Therefore there is a set 20% tip to be paid. Would I then need to tip on top of that, or give something to the event organizer at the venue?

Also curious if it is the normal 20% tipping rule for other vendors such as photographers, musicians, DJ etc.

Thanks

thealphabride · August 2010

I don't believe in tipping wedding vendors. I paid top dollar for every vendor and I expect for the money I paid that they should deliver "over the top" service.

All of my vendors except the caterer own their own business. I even chose a caterer that let's you tip what you feel is appropriate after the event is finished and doesn't put the 18% on top of your fee up front. I plan on tipping all the servers and bartenders very well , because they live on tips and this is very important.

But the DJ, Florist, Photographer and Venue I expect to deliver for the kind of money I paid for them. They have already been very wonderful to work with and at this point I would and have recommended them even before the wedding.

jessNlane52804 · August 2010

Based on past posts last summer on this board, I get the impression that tipping everyone regardless of ownership is pretty standard in the Chicago area. We tipped about 15% to photog, 20% to coordinator (my dad was completely blown away by how great she was), and a flat rate to the DJ since they were the only non owner. I didn't tip the florist because there was no delivery and I'm glad that I didn't because the flowers weren't what I asked for. My mom handled the m/u and hair tip, but my guess is that she did about 15-20%.

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