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Tipping your wedding vendors isn’t something most people think about when they first start planning. In fact, I can almost guarantee it won’t show up on your first Pinterest board or checklist. But once you’re about a month out—and every invoice is coming due—it suddenly hits:
Wait, are we supposed to tip everyone? Who even gets one? How much?
After twenty years in this industry, I can tell you: tipping isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s often expected, sometimes confusing, and always worth planning for in advance. Unlike dinner at a restaurant where 20% is standard, weddings involve a wide range of professionals, many of whom are small business owners or freelancers, and the “rules” around tipping vary depending on the role, the region, and the relationship. So let’s clear things up.
The first thing you want to do is review your contracts. Some vendors—especially caterers, bartenders, and transportation companies—automatically include a service charge or gratuity in their pricing. But here’s the thing: not all “service fees” are actually tips. Sometimes that money goes to the company, not to the staff who actually show up and do the work. If it’s not spelled out clearly, it’s okay to ask your vendor directly:
Is gratuity already included, or should we plan to tip the team separately? It’s a respectful question and one they’re used to answering.
Now, when it comes to who should receive a tip, the answer depends on the type of service and the way the business is structured. For example, catering teams should always be tipped if it’s not already included—typically 15 to 20 percent of the total food and beverage bill. The same goes for bartenders. If you’re hosting the bar and they’re not accepting cash tips from guests, you’ll want to build gratuity into your final payment. For a staffed bar, that might mean $50 to $100 per bartender depending on the length of your event.
Hair and makeup artists are also tipped similarly to how you would at a salon—usually 15 to 25 percent of the total service cost, handed to each stylist individually. Delivery teams—like those dropping off your cake, florals, rentals, or specialty decor—may not be on-site long, but if they’re hauling large items or assembling anything in the heat or rain, a $10 to $50 tip per person is appropriate. And if you have a crew setting up or breaking down your event outside of the vendor team—think extra hands to flip the room or load equipment—don’t forget them. Those are the people working behind the scenes when everyone else has gone home.
Transportation drivers should also be tipped—usually 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of the shuttle, limo, or vintage car rental—if that amount isn’t already included in your agreement. The officiant can be a little more nuanced. If it’s a professional you’re hiring, a tip or additional gratuity of $100 to $300 is appropriate. If it’s a friend or family member officiating your ceremony, consider a meaningful thank-you gift and maybe a card with a small honorarium as a gesture of appreciation.
Now let’s talk about the creative professionals—the DJs, musicians, photographers, videographers, and planners. Tipping here isn’t always expected, especially when the vendor is the business owner. But if they deliver exceptional service, stay late, or go above and beyond for you (which many do), a generous tip is always appreciated. For DJs and musicians, $50 to $150 is a solid range. For photographers and videographers, I’ve seen couples tip anywhere from $100 to $250, depending on how involved the day was and how connected they felt to the person behind the camera. If you’re working with a planner or day-of coordinator, tipping isn’t required, but it is often given. I’ve seen everything from $200 to $500 for full-service planners, and $100 to $300 for month-of or day-of support. And let me say this: even if a planner isn’t expecting a tip, a thoughtful thank-you note or small gift with meaning goes a long way in this business.
So now that we’ve covered who to tip and how much, let’s talk about how you actually do it on the wedding day—because chasing people around with envelopes while wearing a gown or tux is not it. The best approach is to prepare everything ahead of time. Get cash or checks, place them in labeled envelopes, and assign the job of distributing them to someone you trust. That might be your planner, your maid of honor, your best man, or a family member with good organizational skills. Write clear labels on each envelope—include the vendor’s name and their role—and organize them in a folder or pouch that your point person can easily manage. If a vendor prefers to receive tips digitally through Zelle or Venmo, just make sure you confirm that ahead of time and schedule the payment so it doesn’t get lost in the post-wedding blur.
If your budget is tight and tipping every vendor at the standard rate isn’t possible, don’t stress. Tipping is a form of gratitude, and there are other ways to show your appreciation. Handwritten thank-you notes, rave reviews on Google or The Knot, thoughtful social media shout-outs, and even small gifts are all meaningful gestures that vendors remember. I’ve seen photographers receive candles with personalized messages, planners gifted framed photos from the wedding day, and florists sent surprise coffee gift cards as a thank-you. Those moments matter, especially when they come from the heart.
Planning for vendor tips isn’t glamorous, but it is important. When done well, it closes your wedding planning chapter with grace.
It tells your team, We saw you. We appreciated you. And we know you helped make our day magic. Whether it’s a cash envelope, a warm hug, or a beautifully written thank-you card—your gratitude matters.
– Bailey J.
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