“How much should I tip?”
Every client of ours asks this question the week leading up to the wedding. We’ve been giving standard advice for years, but a recent thought occurred to us: What do these vendors ACTUALLY expect?
We stopped making assumptions and have asked experienced and excellent-at-their-craft wedding professionals in the Seattle, WA area (who will remain anonymous) what they expect after the wedding is over.
All images in this post are from Unsplash.com
Baker
Received Tip Range: $50-$75
Do you expect it? No
What they said:
“As far as the gratuity, it is very rare that we get tips so it is definitely a welcome surprise. Our prices are built for what we rely on for the cost of everything. I certainly don’t expect it, but sometimes it is nice when we have gone above and beyond.”
DJ
Tip Range: $150-$500
Do You Expect it? No, but most of our clients tip =)
What they said:
“We loved getting tipped! We don’t expect tips, but we certainly hope that we exceed the couple’s expectations during the planning process as well as during the wedding. We are so grateful when we do receive tips. We appreciate everyone in the hospitality and events industry so we feel tipping is a very classy and respectful thing to do.”
Category: Photographer
Tip Range: $50-300
Do you expect it? No
What they said:
“As a photographer, I set my own rates based on what I feel my talent & service is worth. Because of this, I don’t want clients to feel like I’ve set the bar low and expect a tip (because truthfully, their investment in my work is already a big one) nor do I ever personally want to feel like my business depends on it. I generally tell clients I don’t expect them, but if they end up giving me a tip at the end of the night, I graciously accept it.”
Lighting/AV
Tip Range: $50-$200
Do you expect it? No
What they said:
“Tips are never expected, but always appreciated! It is very rare, and always a surprise.”
Category: Photo booth attendant
Tip Range: $20-$100
Do You Expect it? Usually
What they said:
“Although not required, it’s usually a good idea to tip the people who are helping to make your party more fun! Since the tips go directly to the attendant working your event, it’s a great way to thank them for making sure your guests had a fabulous time! If they were helpful & fun, let them know you appreciated their time and energy, especially if your event was running behind and they adjusted their schedule to stay a little later for you.”
Category: Videographer
Tip Range: $50-$200
Do You Expect It? No
What they said:
“They’re such an unexpected treat! We never walk into a wedding day expecting a tip, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t incredibly appreciated. We don’t rely on them and the normal hustle and bustle of a wedding day is well within our contractual obligations. Still, if it’s been an especially long day (particularly if we’re running around to different locations in the summer sun or winter rains with all our heavy equipment in tow), it definitely feels good to know all the extra effort has been noticed and appreciated.”
Category: Florist
Tip Range: $20-200
Do You Expect It? No
What they said:
“Of course I love getting tips, and so appreciate them especially when I’ve really busted my buns to make something perfect for a client. The smaller tips, in the $20 range, are sort of odd, because the amount is such a negligible percentage of the floral budget. A tip in the $150-200 range is really lovely — and usually I save those to spend on special events or treats for my crew.”
Category: Event Staffing + Bar Service (independent of a catering company)
Tip Range: $20-$80
Do you expect it: Yes
What they said:
“Tipping your staff is a must. They do all the dirty work that you don’t want to do yourself or have your family do! Your staff puts a great deal of energy and time into making your event run smoothly and efficiently. They help anywhere from set-up and tear down to bussing tables and taking out the trash. They also make sure that they stay on their toes the entire time to tackle any problems that may come up throughout your event.”
Category: Wedding Planner
Tip Range: $150-$500
Do You Expect it? Sometimes
What they said:
“I don’t depend on a gratuity from couples for my income, so it’s not an expectation I set going into a wedding. If it happens, it’s a welcomed surprise. That being said, if I’ve gone beyond my contracted duties to be helpful or because it was required of me in the moment, I admittedly hope for a gratuity because it’s not what I was being hired for and I think it’s a respectful gesture on the client’s part.”
Category: Catering (On Site Staff)
Tip Range: 22% of bill
Do you expect it: Yes
“We’ve fully built gratuity into our “production fee” of 22% (based on the client’s food and beverage costs only), which hopefully takes the guesswork out of things. When a client decides to tip on top of this fee it’s extremely appreciated by our staff, but never expected.”
Category: Catering (Sales Manager, aka your main contact from booking – day of)
Tip Range: Starbucks card – $250
Do you expect it: No
“With my role as coordinator, the number of times I’ve been tipped personally I can count on one hand. If the client feels their service was as impeccable as I hope it was, it would be a lovely gesture—but never expected.”