Last week alone I had three questions about tipping the vendors at one’s wedding. This is a common question from brides and grooms and something often forgotten when budgeting for your wedding. Suddenly when it is the week of the wedding couples begin to panic thinking they need to shell out several thousand additional dollars they didn’t plan on. Here are my tips on who you need to tip and how much and who you don’t need to tip. Also, if possible, delegate this task, you are not going to remember those envelopes of cash in your jacket on your wedding day. Give your planner, dad, best man the tips and final payments and ask them to distribute them so you do not need to remember!
Note: please don’t get mad at me vendors if I say they don’t need to tip you. 
Of course a tip for wonderful service from anyone is always appreciated and a perfect way to say thank you for a job well done!
Planner: Not necessary. About half of my clients tip anyway, which is a nice thing to do for any vendor who goes above and beyond. Anywhere from $100 – $300 is standard or often times clients send a gift card or some other nice gift, which is also very appropriate.
Photographer/Videographer: Not necessary. I would say I’m given a tip for the photographer maybe 1/4 of the time, generally anywhere from $50-$150.
DJ or Musicians: Necessary. Tip a DJ about $50. If you have a string quartet or band, tip about $20-$25/musician or band member.
Officiant: Not necessary. One is generally asked to make a donation to the church/synagogue or wherever your religious ceremony might be held. However, it is polite to invite your officiant to stay for dinner or at least cocktails.
Hair and Makeup: Necessary. Tip exactly like you do if you were getting your hair done at the salon (unless you don’t tip at the salon, opps!), 15-20%.
Florist: Not necessary
Transportation: Necessary. 15% is standard
Reception wait staff: Necessary. 15-20% of the total food and beverage. Do not include rentals, labor or tax, only tip on the food and beverage total. Give the full amount the the captain and ask him or her to distribute to his staff.
Caterers: Not necessary, unless it is the catering staff doing the serving, in which case see above. Usually the caterers will provide your set up, so it would be a nice gesture to tip the set up staff. $10-$15 per person.
Cake baker: No necessary.
NOTE: Always check all of your contracts to see if gratuity/service fee is being charged (it is often times). If so, then you do not need to tip on top of that, unless you would like to thank them for an exceptional job.
Try to think about tipping during your planning and budgeting process so that you aren’t caught off guard at the last minute. And please remember, while it may not be necessary to tip some vendors, it is always appreciated when you feel they have made your day especially spectacular.
