Your big day is finally here, and you are finally seeing all your hard work come to fruition. One of the biggest questions our Williamsburg, VA brides ask is, “What is the etiquette on wedding vendor tipping?” We love it when our Williamsburg, VA brides ask us this question, because it shows they truly value their vendors, and appreciate their craft. However, with so many items to include in your wedding budget, some of our Williamsburg, VA brides do not include this in their overall budget. So, today beauties we are bringing you Wedding Vendor Tipping 101, and all the things you need to know. We are going to be talking about who to tip and how much and checking one more thing off your to-do list!
So, unless it’s written into your contract you are not obligated to tip, however just like eating out, which I absolutely love, there are some vendors that are expecting a tip and others that are not expecting it, but it is more than welcome. At the end of the day, you want to tip the vendors that went above and beyond to help make your big day a reality.
Wedding Vendor Tipping that is Typically Expected
Hair and Makeup Artists: Set aside 15-20% percent for your hair and makeup artists. If you think about it, they are making you and your girls look radiant, so why not!
Transportation Drivers: Sometimes this is included in the contract so make sure to read it over, or have your Williamsburg, VA Wedding Planner look it over. If you do not have a Williamsburg, VA Wedding Planner you are going to want to budget 10% per driver.
Bartenders and Servers: Nine times out of ten a gratuity or service charge is included in the contract, so most times you will not need to provide an additional tip to bartenders and servers. However, if you do not see this notated in your contract you will want to budget for 10-20% of the catering cost as a tip.
Wedding Planner: As your Williamsburg, VA Wedding Planner, again a tip isn’t expected but it is always appreciated. For us we always recommend you don’t need to set aside a certain percentage, but budget for a flat amount. A typical range is $100-$500, however this is completely up to you.
Wedding Vendor Tipping that is Optional
Officiant: Some officiants won’t accept a tip if they are a friend or your pastor, but you can consider budgeting for a $100 tip to either them personally or to their place of worship.
Florist: Although your florist usually leaves and comes back, it makes it hard for brides to determine if want to tip or not. However, most of our Williamsburg, VA brides feel like the florist has went above and beyond to make their wedding vision come to life, and end up tipping them whatever amount works for them and their budget.
Photographer/Videographer: In most cases, if the photographer and videographer are the owners, then a tip is not required, but it is definitely a pleasant surprise! If the photographer does not own the business, then you can consider tipping them a flat amount such as $100 per photographer/videographer.
Wedding DJ/Band: While a tip is optional the DJ in our opinion can make or break your wedding. They are the emcee of your reception, they make sure things transition smoothly, and they keep the party going. So, we always recommend if there is some wiggle room in the budget, a tip would be welcomed!
The easiest way to tip your wedding vendors is to put all the money in labeled envelopes to be distributed throughout the day. As your Williamsburg, VA Wedding Planner, we assist with this to make sure each vendor is fully taken care of.
Tipping Alternatives, Which We Also Love
Thoughtful Gifts and Thank You Notes: Who doesn’t love a personal handwritten note of thanks? Showing your vendors how much, they meant to you on your special day will warm their hearts!
Review Them Online: So many vendors depend on word of mouth so if you can take the time to go online and write them a review on places like WeddingWire , The Knot, and Google that would help not only them, but other couples looking for vendors they can depend on.
So, beauties as you can see Tipping is all up to you, but we are to help you do it right!
