How Much to Tip Wedding Vendors: Wedding Tipping Etiquette

Your wedding’s style and budget will influence the extent of your wedding vendor list. A typical list of vendors for a wedding might include any combination of the following:

• Bartender: Depending on your catering package, it might include bartenders. Throughout your reception, bartenders make and serve nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks to the guests. An open bar is a common practice at weddings, which is when the hosts pay a flat rate rather than require the guests to pay for each drink.
• Caterer: The catering company provides the meal and serving utensils during the reception. Some caterers include specialty cutlery the venue might not already have. At a small wedding, catering staff typically circulate the room and offer food on trays, while at a large wedding party, caterers might serve a sit-down dinner with multiple courses.
• Delivery people: The job of the delivery staff is to help vendors transport and set up their equipment on your wedding day. Delivery staff assist the caterer, florist, and live bands with the setup period before the ceremony begins.
• Florist: A florist creates the floral arrangements for your wedding. This includes the centerpieces, bridal bouquets, and any additional table decorations. The florist works directly with the bride and groom to choose flowers that match the wedding theme and color palette of the wedding.
• Hairstylists and makeup artists: Before the ceremony, the bride typically does her hair and makeup at the wedding venue. It’s common for brides to hire hairstylists and professional makeup artists for their big day, although the practice is optional. Bridesmaids also usually have access to these services, and in some cases, the bride and their bridesmaids (and potentially others in the bridal party) split the tab.
• Musicians: During the ceremony and reception, there is usually some form of musical accompaniment. Ceremony musicians play the entrance songs, while the reception musicians entertain wedding guests. Couples usually choose between a live band or a DJ to play music throughout the reception.
• Officiant: A wedding officiant guides the ceremony. They can be religious or secular and will oversee the couple’s vows and readings. After the ceremony, the officiant signs a marriage license to send to the clerk’s office for certification.
• Photographer: The wedding photographer is responsible for capturing photos during the ceremony and reception. Photographers also coordinate private photo sessions with the bride, groom, and bridal party. After the event, the photographer sends a portfolio of edited wedding photography for the bride and groom to review.
• Photo booth attendant: Having a photo booth rental at your wedding is a fun way to encourage your guests to take their own pictures during the reception. Third-party vendors outside rent out photo booths. These companies also provide an attendant to oversee the setup and use of the photo booth.
• Stationer: The stationer is responsible for more than just the wedding invitations. They also create the design and layout of table notes and thank-you cards. Stationers also coordinate with the couple throughout the process to ensure the final designs reflect the tone of the wedding.
• Transportation company: For destination weddings especially, the transportation company is essential. They transport your guests to and from the ceremony and reception. If the wedding ceremony and reception take place at the same venue, then you might not need to hire a transportation company. Some couples, however, still wish to provide transportation between the venue and guests’ overnight accommodations.
• Videographer: Some couples choose to hire a videographer along with their photographer. The videographer creates video content during both the ceremony and reception to produce a wedding movie for the couple.
• Waitstaff: Most waitstaffs work for a catering company; however, not all caterers provide waitstaff. The servers at your wedding serve guests by filling empty water glasses, dismissing tables for dinner, serving the meal and wedding cake, and helping with cleanup.
• Wedding planner: Wedding planning is tedious and time-consuming. Couples hire wedding planners to assist with the process. After outlining your wedding budget, the planner works with different business owners to find vendors within your price range. They also coordinate with other key stakeholders, such as the banquet manager, catering manager, and venue coordinator, to ensure the rehearsal dinner and reception run smoothly.

Gratuity protocol varies for each service. In addition to sending thank-you notes and leaving positive reviews in return for outstanding service, consider recognizing the hard work of your vendors by following these tipping guidelines:

• Bartender: The standard gratuity for bartenders is up to 15 percent of the service fee. Check your final bill before you add the tip, as some bills automatically include this service charge.
• Caterer and waitstaff: The service charge is usually included in the total bill for the caterer and waitstaff. If this fee is not present, consider tipping 15–20 percent of the final bill.
• Florist, stationer, and wedding planner: Gratuity protocol does not include business owners, thus, it’s not necessary to tip the florist, stationer, or wedding planner. For exceptional service, however, consider giving a small gift or cash tip as a thoughtful gesture.
• Hairstylists and makeup artists: Follow salon tipping guidelines for hairstylists and makeup artists. Twenty percent of the total bill is a typical tip for professional hair and makeup services.
• Musicians: If the bill does not include gratuity, tip each musician $20–$50. You can give the tip in a cash envelope.
• Officiant: While clergy members cannot accept tips, you can give a donation to the house of worship. If you have a secular officiant, consider tipping them $50.
• Photographer and videographer: Most photographers and videographers work independently and own their businesses. While it’s not necessary to tip business owners, it’s a nice gesture to tip the photographer and videographer about 15–20 percent of the final bill.
• Transportation company workers: Tip chauffeurs and transportation company employees 15–20 percent at the end of the night.

Have a wedding to plan? Learn how to take on the process strategically. Discover Mindy Weiss’s approach to setting a budget, choosing a theme, and sending invitations when you sign up for the MasterClass Annual Membership.