Hi,
Your website continues to be an invaluable resource leading up to our wedding.
Now that the day is almost here, we are wondering about who needs to be tipped. We’ve already taken care of the limo driver in our final payment.
But what about everyone else? Do the following need to be tipped? Are they expecting a tip? What percentage?
Thanks!
s.
MUSICANS: (ceremony and reception): Whether an organist or string quartet is accompanying you down the aisle, if you’re cutting a rug to a 12-piece swing band or a single DJ, tipping the musicians is completely optional. If you do decide to “show them the money,” calculate $20 to $25 for each member.
PHOTOGRAPHER
This is completely optional. If you’re paying top dollar for their fees, they shouldn’t be expecting a gratuity. However, a thank-you in the form of cash is always appreciated, especially if the photographer or videographer doesn’t own his or her own studio. Estimate $20 to $25.
CAKE DELIVERY
Delivery People (from the florist, bakery, party rental): They load up the truck, find their way to your reception site, and then oftentimes have to dance around the other delivery people, or even the band setting up, lugging in cumbersome flower arrangements, delicate cakes, and stacks of chairs. Show how grateful you are for all of their labor by offering about $10 to each delivery person.
HAIR/MAKEUP
About 15% to 20%. If the bridal party is paying for their own services, it’s nice if you take care of the gratuities, but of course it’s not necessary.
There are some people you don’t have to tip. Don’t tip the owner of a business, but instead tip the people working for that owner. In addition, the florist, bakery, and bridal shop will not be expecting a gratuity, nor will the invitation or party rental companies. Thank-you notes are, as always, universally and eternally appreciated.