Your Guide for Tipping Wedding Vendors in 2023
Brian Anthony Photography
Liz Grogan Photography
Are you nearing the final stages of wedding planning and wondering how to handle tipping your wedding vendors? You are not alone! We are consistently asked for suggestions by our couples to help them handle this tricky subject. Read on to learn the latest tipping trends we are seeing in North Carolina in 2023!
While tipping is customary for some vendors, deciding to tip is a personal choice and you should never feel as though it is an obligation. Tipping is considered a kind and generous gesture to those who have assisted in making your wedding dreams come true!
Gratuity should always go to the lead person to disburse to their team (ie. manager, band leader, head planner, etc.)
Helpful Tip: Use envelopes that you fill prior to your wedding day. Designate which envelopes are for which vendor. On the day of your wedding give the envelopes to your wedding coordinator or someone you trust to deliver the envelopes to the proper vendors.
When initially budgeting for your wedding make room for tips to ensure you don’t go over budget right before the big day. If you are unable to fit gratuity into your budget, consider sending a small personalized gift or thank you note to show appreciation.
Vendor Categories
If you choose to extend gratuities to vendors as a “thank you!” for providing exceptional service, consider these suggestions to help you plan in advance.
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER/WEDDING PLANNER/COORDINATOR/FLORIST
Suggested amount: Tips are generally not expected by these vendors. But to show your appreciation of their hard work and dedication to ensuring every detail is taken care of, tipping is always a generous way to show that you enjoyed their services or special care. 5-10% of their fee or a personal thank you gift is recommended. You could also tip $25 - 50+ per assistant, depending on their level of involvement.
When to tip: At the end of their service
Catering wait staff/chefs/Bartenders
Be sure to check your contract to see if a gratuity has already been added to avoid double-tipping or forgetting to give staff a tip, since it’s customary to tip catering staff.
Keep in mind a “service charge” or “operational charge” is generally NOT considered a gratuity. This should be spelled out in your contract, but ask your catering manager if you’re not sure.
Suggested amount: 15%-20% of the food and beverage bill is customary OR $25-$75 per staff member.
When to tip: It’s best to give this tip (in cash that can be easily divided up) to the catering contact to distribute accordingly to servers, chefs and bartenders. It can be done at the end of the event or following dinner.
Hillary Muelleck Photography
Venue Host / Event Manager / Banquet Manager
/ Maitre d’
Suggested amount: It’s recommended to give $50 - $150 for excellent service.
When to tip: At the end of the event
Venue & Catering Manager / Venue Coordinator
Suggested amount: It isn’t expected, but if they went above and beyond helping make your day come true, a $100-$200 tip or personal thank you gift is a nice gesture to show your appreciation.
When to tip: At the end of the event
Megan Allred Photography
Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist
Suggested amount: A tip of 15%-25% of the fee is generally customary for beauty vendors, just as you would tip in a salon.
When to tip: After services are complete
LIVE Musicians/Band
Suggested amount: If a tip is not already included in your contract, then tipping $20 - $50 per entertainer is customary. Note - make sure to include musicians from your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception if you are using multiple musicians/bands.
When to tip: At the end of their service
DJ
Suggested amount: $50 - $100 is a nice gesture if they did a great job, especially if they went above and beyond your expectations.
When to tip: At the end of their service
Liz Grogan Photography
Officiants
Suggested amount: For religious officiants, you can donate to their place of worship or give the officiant a gift card for their personal use. For non-religious officiants a 10-25% tip is customary.
When to tip: At the rehearsal or before the ceremony
Delivery/setup STAFF
Suggested amount: $5 - $20 for each person, depending on how much work they are providing.
When to tip: At the completion of their duties
SECURITY
Suggested amount: We would suggest $20 - $50 per security personnel
When to tip: At the end of the event
TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS
Suggested amount: Ensure your contract doesn’t already include gratuity. If tipping is not included in your contact then we suggest $50 - $100 cash per driver. You could also add a thoughtful gift of snacks and drinks for your driver to enjoy if they are contracted for long hours.
When to tip: After services are complete
VALET/COAT CHECK
Suggested amount: $.50-$2 per guest.
When to tip: After services are complete
Other Ways To Show Appreciation
Give a thoughtful gift - treat basket, flowers, mug and coffee, bottle of wine, sweets, houseplant, or a gift card
Post a positive review
Write a thank you note
Tag vendors on social media
Word of mouth recommendations
Conclusion
Deciding to give tips and the amount is entirely up to you! We hope these tipping guidelines are a helpful starting point as you think about how to show appreciation to your vendor team. No matter what you decide, a glowing online review of your experience or offering to give a reference means the world to vendors!!
If you are planning your big day and would like to know more about having your wedding at Rev Mill Events, Contact Us today! We would love to chat with you!
Hillary Muelleck Photography
Full of unique character and industrial elegance, The Colonnade is a Greensboro, NC wedding venue accommodating up to 200 guests nestled within historical Revolution Mill and serviced by Pepper Moon Catering. Guests will be wowed by the gorgeous private courtyard and inviting indoor space with original maple floors, enormous windows, exposed brick, custom iron work and high ceilings!