Wedding Tipping Etiquette

Consider these tipping etiquette guidelines for your wedding vendors. When the wedding has come together perfectly, from the on-time delivery of the cake to the awesome DJ, it's time to think about tipping the vendors. Tipping is a reward for services well rendered and a wonderful way to thank those people who have made your special day go so smoothly.

The proper tipping etiquette starts when you book each vendor. Be sure to ask them in the initial cost estimates whether or not they allow tipping. Many businesses add gratuity tipping as part of the total cost while others discourage tipping individual employees as a general rule. Find out what is allowed so you can perform the right tipping etiquette and add various tips into your budget.

If gratuity has been added to the bill already, such as for the caterers or the bartender, you only need to tip additionally if a particular person or group has been exceptional. For other vendors, either the wedding coordinator or the best man is in charge of handing out tips. Remember that all tips should be given in cash, and handed out in envelopes. When the bride and groom calculate the tips and prepare the envelopes ahead of time, it makes the job of tipping much easier.

There are certain guidelines for tipping various vendors that contribute to your wedding day. Here is a list of the most common:

• Limousine Driver: The driver should be given a tip of approximately 10 to 15 percent but not to exceed $150.
• Coat Room Staff: Many couples prearrange a flat fee based on the number of guests, generally $.50 to $1 per guest.
• Waiters: These hardworking folks deserve tips of 15 percent of the catering bill if the gratuity is not already included. Most catering businesses include it and distribute gratuity evenly between staff.
• Bartenders: Check to see if gratuity has been added to the total liquor bill. If not, plan on 10 percent to the head bartender to distribute between the other bartenders.

The other vendors that deserve tipping include valets ($1 per car), DJs ($50 to $100), photographer ($50), floral delivery ($5 per location), cake delivery ($10), wedding coordinator (10 percent of total commission). The only person that should not be tipped is the officiant. Most will not accept a tip, but would appreciate a donation of at least $50 to $75 to their church or organization of their choice.