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Required to tip vendors?

Becca0929Becca0929 member
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in Wedding Etiquette Forum
Even though we are paying for everything ourselves and had a very small budget, we had planned on tipping our caterer, florist, and my hair/makeup stylist since most things I've read say that tipping vendors is expected. However, in the past week, our caterer has added an unexpected extra $400 (after we had already paid it off), and my hair/makeup stylist charged more for the trial than I was expecting. Both of these things put together have pretty much taken away any extra money that we have. Is it terrible if we don't tip vendors? The florist is already paid off and the other 2 will be given the final payment the day of the wedding.
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Re: Required to tip vendors?

  • photokittyphotokitty mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    Is gratuity already included for your caterer? If you don't know ask and explain that the extra $400 is a problem. You must tip the hair & makeup person ~ don't eat out for the next few weeks. You only have to top the delivery person for the florist...if the florist herself delivers and sets up you don't "have" to tip her.
    :kiss: ~xoxo~ :kiss:

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  • jules3964jules3964 member
    100 Comments 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited July 2014
    I would feel really horrible not tipping anything, especially if they provide good service. I know it really sucks having unforeseen expenses, but I think that's true for most everyone who has a wedding. Ideally you should have budgeted a little extra for those things that come up. I don't think it's a good excuse for not tipping your vendors. 

    Is there any way you can cut back on something not necessary? Favors? Can you work with the caterer on less expensive food or drink options? What was the extra $400 charge?
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  • BMoreBride6BMoreBride6 member
    500 Love Its 500 Comments Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Did your catering contract have the price detailed?  I can't imagine it wouldn't and once the contract is signed, unless you added something, I'm not sure how they can add that much.  I do think it is important to tip as many vendors depend on it (especially servers and waitstaff for catering).  I also don't think it is your stylists fault you underestimated the cost of the trial.  I'd do my best to give them all something. 
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  • rsbloomrsbloom member
    100 Comments 25 Love Its Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    I agree with PP, if there was a signed contract on pricing, they can't charge you the $400 unless you changed something.  It doesn't sound like you changed anything, because you said you already did your final payment.  So unless the head count went up after the final payment, don't pay them.  There are lots of stories of sneaky vendors trying to add on charges last minute (for something costing more than they thought or some other excuse), but don't give in! You have a signed contract and you paid them, so anything legal would be on your side.  Don't give them anymore, and I would lower their tip for trying to do this.  

    As for your stylist, she should have told you all the costs up front.  If you didn't ask and just assumed, then that would be on you.  If she told you a price and then went up day of, I would not tip.
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