Time and time again, our clients always ask us the same question, “DO I HAVE TO TIP MY VENDORS?” The answer to that question is YES & NO. Since most of the times, your vendors may have already charged you gratuity on their invoice. And always remember, if it was not stated on your contract, you are not obligated to leave tips for your vendors.
So here is a little tip on Tipping your Vendors…
•Caterers & Staff—Ask questions regarding gratuity when you sign your contracts with your catering and/or bar staff manager.
Find out if a gratuity is already included, and if so, how it is divided. Look out for the fine print, bar staff will sometimes have specific gratuity requirements which may or may not include a tip jar. If the gratuity is not included in the bill, it is generally 15-20% of the total bill to be given to the business manager to divide among their staff.
•Music—Whether you are using a band or dj, tipping is optional, but encouraged. Tip according to how well they performed or any extra effort they went too. Anything over $150 for a dj, or $50 for each individual band member, is being extremely generous.
•Beauty services—For hair and makeup the day of, add a little extra to what you normally tip for beauty appointments (between
15-25%).
•Transportation—Unless there was an error of some kind (whether it be the wrong type of transportation showing up or having to stop repeatedly to ask for directions to the church), plan on tipping between 15-20%.
•Attendants other than wait staff—This can include everyone from valets to coat-check. A good rule of thumb is to tip $1.00
per item they are handling. So, for example, $1 per car to a valet or parking lot attendant.
•Photographers and wedding planners—for the most part, these people own their own businesses. If they don’t, make sure to tip them a flat fee (at least $100 for photographer, and $200 for wedding planner). Otherwise, if they do a great job you should thank them with a gift, kind note, and positive reviews to anyone who’ll listen.
•Officiants—For religious officiants, you are expected to make a donation to the church. For anyone not religiously-affiliated, beyond their fee, you should really only feel compelled to buy them a small thank you gift.
So here is a little tip on Tipping your Vendors…
•Caterers & Staff—Ask questions regarding gratuity when you sign your contracts with your catering and/or bar staff manager.
Find out if a gratuity is already included, and if so, how it is divided. Look out for the fine print, bar staff will sometimes have specific gratuity requirements which may or may not include a tip jar. If the gratuity is not included in the bill, it is generally 15-20% of the total bill to be given to the business manager to divide among their staff.
•Music—Whether you are using a band or dj, tipping is optional, but encouraged. Tip according to how well they performed or any extra effort they went too. Anything over $150 for a dj, or $50 for each individual band member, is being extremely generous.
•Beauty services—For hair and makeup the day of, add a little extra to what you normally tip for beauty appointments (between
15-25%).
•Transportation—Unless there was an error of some kind (whether it be the wrong type of transportation showing up or having to stop repeatedly to ask for directions to the church), plan on tipping between 15-20%.
•Attendants other than wait staff—This can include everyone from valets to coat-check. A good rule of thumb is to tip $1.00
per item they are handling. So, for example, $1 per car to a valet or parking lot attendant.
•Photographers and wedding planners—for the most part, these people own their own businesses. If they don’t, make sure to tip them a flat fee (at least $100 for photographer, and $200 for wedding planner). Otherwise, if they do a great job you should thank them with a gift, kind note, and positive reviews to anyone who’ll listen.
•Officiants—For religious officiants, you are expected to make a donation to the church. For anyone not religiously-affiliated, beyond their fee, you should really only feel compelled to buy them a small thank you gift.
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