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Weddings

Exactly How Much To Tip Wedding Vendors: A Complete List

Not quite sure about who to tip at wedding (and how much)? Read our guide to make your life easier and get a better idea on tipping wedding vendors. 

wedding tablescape
Archive Rentals & Event DesignLorely Meza Photography

wedding tablescape
Archive Rentals & Event DesignLorely Meza Photography

Figuring out how much to tip wedding pros can be tricky, but tipping wedding vendors is an important way to show your appreciation for their hard work. To avoid scrambling on the day of, we recommend creating a list of who you tip at your wedding and organizing the cash tips into envelopes well in advance of your big day. While it’s extra-nice if you are able to hand the tips to your vendors on your wedding day, it might not be possible (you’re going to be super-busy!). Instead, have your wedding planner or a member of your wedding party be responsible for handing out the tips, which should be handed out after the service is rendered. Another great way to thank your vendors? Write them a review on a site like WeddingWire! Check out this wedding tipping guide to make the process of tipping wedding vendors a breeze (note that not all wedding vendors traditionally receive tips!).

Hair and Makeup Pros: Tip Required

Your hair and makeup pros work hard to ensure that you and your crew look their best—so knowing how much to tip these wedding vendors is important! Hair and makeup pros should receive 15 to 20 percent of their fee.

Caterer: Tip Required (if not included in service fee)

If you’re wondering about tipping wedding vendors, your caterer will likely be at the top of the list—food will be a super-important part of your wedding! Usually a caterer's tip is included in their service fee, but if not, tip 15 to 20 percent of the food bill.

Wait Staff: Tip Required

The servers at your wedding will ensure that your guests receive their meals in a timely and efficient fashion. Each server should receive about $20 or more.

bride getting makeup done

Bartenders: Tip Required

Bartenders keep the drinks flowing all night long—how much do you tip these wedding vendors? Turns out each bartender should receive 10 to 15 percent of the total bar tab.

Wedding Planner: Tip Optional

Your wedding planner may not expect a tip, but a gratuity of 10 to 20 percent is certainly appreciated if you feel yours went above and beyond the call of duty. If your planner had an assistant or assistants on hand at your event, we do recommend tipping them $50 to $100 each. 

Photographer and Videographer: Tip Recommended (if pro is part of a larger company)

If a photographer or videographer owns their business, no tip is necessary. If that’s not the case and your photographer or videographer works for a larger company, tipping these wedding vendors $100 to $200 is a nice gesture.

Officiant: Tip or Donation Recommended

Whether your officiant is affiliated with a house of worship (church, synagogue, etc.) will determine your tipping of these wedding vendors. If your officiant is affiliated with a house of worship, give an additional donation of $100 to $300 to his/her institution. For a civil officiant, you may tip $50 to $100.

wedding planner at reception table
Soiree 99 Event DesignPaige Marie Photography

Ceremony Musicians and/or Wedding Band Members: Tip Required

If you’ve hired live musicians to perform during your ceremony or reception, each player should be tipped $25 to $50.

DJ: Tip Required

Your wedding DJ not only plays music, but often serves as the emcee for the evening—a big role to be sure. When deciding how much you're tipping this wedding vendor, the rule of thumb is that he or she should receive 10 to 15 percent of the total bill.

Attire Alterations: Tip Recommended

If you’re working with a seamstress, tailor, or other attire fitter for your wedding dress or suit, tipping these wedding vendors is usually optional. However, if you feel that your fitter went above and beyond and their place of business allows tipping, you may give between $20 and $40 for a job well done.

Transportation: Tip Recommended (if not included in fee)

Couples may hire a transportation company to shuttle themselves, their family members, and/or guests. Oftentimes, the gratuity is included in their fee, but if not, tipping these wedding vendors 15 to 20 percent is appropriate.

wedding bartender

Delivery Staff: Tip Required

It’s important to show appreciation to those who transport important wedding-related items to your venue—it’s definitely a hard job. For those who deliver floral arrangements, rentals, cake, etc., give $5 to $20 per person.

Other Attendants: Tip Required

When thinking about who to tip at your wedding, remember those who are assisting your guests. Give $1 to $2 per guest for restroom and coatroom attendants. For example, if you’re hosting 100 guests, your restroom and coatroom attendants should receive $100 each.

Parking Attendants: Tip Required

When it comes to tipping the parking attendants at your venue, estimate how many cars you’re expecting (probably about half the number of guests), and tip the attendants $1 to $2 per car. Guests should not be permitted to give cash tips to parking attendants, since you’ll be covering the gratuity.

Florist and Cake Baker: Tips Not Expected

Your florist and cake baker do not expect, nor do they require, tips. However, as mentioned, the delivery people who are delivering and setting up your cake and flower arrangements should be tipped.

Note on Tipping Destination Wedding Vendors

If you’re hosting a destination wedding in a foreign country, know that tipping customs may be different in your event locale. In most countries, you should try to make an effort to tip in the local currency whenever possible (though in some areas, American currency is okay) to make things easier for your vendors. Be sure to talk to your venue coordinator or planner to ensure you’re following proper local traditions when it comes to tipping.