Tipping How-To

I posted some info on tipping on my previous blog site, but many of my new brides have been asking so I'm adding the highlights of it again.

Tipping is not a requirement. But if you receive great service from your vendor, it's always appreciated. Keep in mind that some vendors include tips and gratuity with you services. Check your contract to be certain. Vendors that this is most common include caterers and limousine companies (and bartenders if you've hired one from a catering company). For other vendors, tipping as follows is customary:

• Limousine drivers OR Banquet managers OR caterers: 15-20% of the total food or service bill if it hasn't already been included in your bill
• Bartenders: 15% of the total cost of their services. if it hasn't already been included in your bill
• Salons: 15-20% of the total bill
• Valet or coatcheck attendants: $1 per guest-it's customary to place a sign near these attendants to inform guests that the gratuity has already been covered by the wedding hosts
• Delivery truck drivers: $5-$10 per employee
• Musicians: $25-$50 each
• DJ's: 10-15% of services

When it comes to photographers, wedding coordinators, videographers, florists or bakers, tipping is not a service requirement, however it is perfectly acceptable to provide gratuity or a gift along with a thank you note if you appreciated their services. Perhaps you needed a last minute floral arrangement and your florist made it happen, your photographer climbed up the side of a building to get that perfect shot that you insisted on having, or maybe your coordinator managed your day perfectly or provided details or services beyond their contract.

Please include a thank you note with your gratuity: most vendors work hard to make your day as close to perfect as possible and a little thank you is always appreciated.

Top photo: Wedding Tipping Set by Mindy Weiss. Available online.