How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

i was wondering that also

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

I really don't know yet. probably $10-$20 each for hair & makeup. limo tip is already included in the price - 20%. Banquet Mgr - $2-$3 pp. florist, not sure yet, it's her own business. DJ - his own business, same with the photographer. but I'll probably tip them anyway.

mo money, mo money!

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

I hear SO many different things about this that I'm getting incredibly confused over it!

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

How much is relative, I think I DEFINITELY undertipped some vendors who were amazing, but I had ZERO money left that night since I could barely scrape together tip money. If you can. do a "guideline" and then bring some extra cash, just in case someone deserves more (wish I had)...this is what I did the day of:

Hair - $20 (and I REALLY WISH I HADN'T - what an idiot I am...but whatever, it was already "calculated". She didn't deserve it though.)

Make-up - $25

Limos - $50 each driver (there were 2, and yes, their tip was included in my contract price, but they were AMAZING)

Photographer - $50 for the 6 hour one and $100 for the 10 hour one (DEFINITELY under tipped here)

Videographer - $50 for assistant and $100 for "main" (also under tipped)

Maitre 'D - $400 (it was a little more than $4 per guest)

Bridal attendant - $75 (should have given her $100)

DJ - $100

Percussionist - $50



The below is from theknot.com hope it helps!



So, you feel pretty confident that you've completed calculating costs for the big day. But wait -- before you close that budget binder, did you remember to include tips? Technically, no one should expect tips, but many vendors will since tipping has become standard practice. Depending on where you're getting married, the protocol will vary. Here is a simple rule of the thumb: you tip employees, not owners.

Don't add pressure to your wedding day -- designate someone to be in charge of tipping. The host of the event (often a dad) or the wedding consultant is the perfect person for the job. Or you can offer this responsibility to the maid of honor or best man (since a tux often has several pockets and a bridal gown has none).

Advance Prep
The last thing you want at the end of your reception is someone having to count out cash when offering the tips. Set aside pre-determined amounts beforehand and place them in labeled envelopes. This way, your gratuity guy or gal simply has to hand over the designated envelopes, leaving little room for error. Having an additional envelope with a bit more cash is not a bad idea either -- that way, if the bill is higher than expected, or someone really went the extra mile for you or a guest, you can be sure to take care of it right then and there.

Get the 411
Before you just start dolling out money, however, find out about the tipping policies. Talk to the hotel or club manager at your reception site to see how tips are normally handled. Also find out if a service charge is included in the total on your bill. If so, you don't need to offer an additional tip. Remember, it's completely acceptable to have these kinds of conversations with your vendors, preferably at the time you sign a contract, rather than the day of the wedding. You can only know what people are expecting if you ask them.

So who are these lucky recipients of your generosity? We'll begin with the first person you may encounter and then walk through the rest of the day.


Hair, Makeup & Nails: Whether you go to the salon or the pros come to you, you tip the hair stylist, makeup artist, and manicurist just as you would normally, 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.


Wedding Coordinator: Maybe you have a full-fledged "Franc" planning every little detail. Or perhaps someone from the bridal shop helps you with some loose ends during the day. No matter how intricate or basic their jobs are, they usually won't be expecting a tip. If you'd like to show your appreciation, you can include a monetary thank-you in a note, or perhaps send them a little gift after the wedding.


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.


Officiant: It may seem a bit odd to slip an envelope to the person officiating your ceremony, but it is the proper thing to do. It's tradition for the best man to hand over the tip, which should be between $100 and $200. If you're getting married in a church, they'll often expect you to donate a percentage of your total wedding cost -- so if your wedding is $20,000, a $2,000 donation is gratefully appreciated. However, if you don't belong to this church and you didn't have a lot of involvement with the officiant, you can choose to contribute a lower amount.


Transportation: We're sure you've heard a story about a limo driver who gets lost on the way to the reception and the bride and groom arrive an hour late. Well, those drivers don't deserve a tip. But if all goes smoothly with your transport to the party (and we're sure it will), add about 15% to 20% of the total to the bill. Unless gratuity is already included! Make sure you check before you hand the chauffer a wad of cash.


Parking Attendants/Valets: If you're providing parking services for guests, give the supervisor a tip for the attendants ahead of time. Calculate about $1 per car. And don't forget to spread the word that you've taken care of the gratuity so your guests don't feel compelled to slip the guy a buck.


Coatroom and Restroom Attendants: If this gratuity is not factored into the bill already, $.50 to $1 per guest should suffice.


Musicians (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/Videographer: 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.


Banquet Manager, Maitre d': This is where it's very important to check if you're already paying a service charge. If gratuity is not included in your bill total, figure from $200 to $300 as a tip, depending on the size of your wedding. This amount should go to the person in charge of your reception; if there's more than one person in charge, divide the gratuity among them.


Caterer & Waitstaff: If your reception isn't in a hotel or club, there's a good chance your caterer has to work out of a tent or minimally equipped kitchen, and the waitstaff may have to run up and down steps carrying heavy trays. In these circumstances it's nice to show you appreciate all of their efforts. Figure the tip according to the number of waiters -- decide on a dollar amount (let's say $20) and multiply by the number of servers working at your reception, plus some for the catering manager. This total can range from $250 to $500.


Bartenders: Once again, it's time to scrutinize the bill -- sometimes at hotels and clubs a service charge is included in the liquor bill. If there isn't one, leaving 10% of the total liquor bill for the bartenders is a nice gesture. Try to find the head bartender when handing over the cash.

Tapped Out Yet?
Well here's some good news: There are some people you don't have to tip. It is easy to remember that you 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.

--Amy Gordon

Message edited 6/18/2005 3:42:55 PM.

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

WOW - thanks for the info

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

Thanks somthing blu! I just put this thread in my notebook so when I getting my envelops together I can go according to this!

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

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Posted by unicorn1178

Thanks somthing blu! I just put this thread in my notebook so when I getting my envelops together I can go according to this!

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Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

I dunno.. I guess tipping is a Taboo topic. The only thing I am worried about tipping in my photographer and Videographer.. Considering I do have to get a product after the wedding from them. I don't think they would screw up if i gave them a bad tip, but it has always been on my mind.

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

thanks, that was a big help!!!!!!!!!!

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

bump

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

So we're talking about another thousand?

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

I really feel like if I am going to spend another grand on tips, I would rather give my photogs and DJs, who have worked with me basically the whole planning time, more money than to give the MD a couple hudred...she/he is only helping for the few hours.

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

Here's my thoughts on the tipping thing (specifically for hair and make up people).

I'm paying alot of $$ for my hair and make up and my BM's are paying $50 for hair and $50 for make up. Since my wedding is on a Sunday, and we have to be ready for pics by 9:00 am. My feeling is that the ladies set their price because it's their own time, and it's not during the normal working hours for them. They will only accept cash as payment. My perception is that all that $$ they are making on my wedding day is going straight into their pockets. I have very mixed feelings about tipping these ladies.

Is that a bad thing??

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

I know that "theknot" says not to tip if gratuity is included, but I think I would feel strange not tipping them cash in the end. Is anyone still tipping on top of gratuity?

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

Just so you know, hair and makeup if they self-employeed really don't require a tip. I did only because I felt I had to- she was awesome and deserved every penny and told her I wish I had tipped her more- she said the first tip wasn't even necessary and very unexpected.

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

Would any more recent 05 brides be willing to share what amounts they tipped their vendors??

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

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Posted by carlsbride

Would any more recent 05 brides be willing to share what amounts they tipped their vendors??

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Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

Thanks, they are all from early 2005, just wondering if anyone wanted to post current amounts. Thanks!

Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

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Posted by carlsbride

Thanks, they are all from early 2005, just wondering if anyone wanted to post current amounts. Thanks!

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Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

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Posted by Blu-ize

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Posted by carlsbride

Thanks, they are all from early 2005, just wondering if anyone wanted to post current amounts. Thanks!

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Why would the amounts be different?

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Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by Blu-ize

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Posted by carlsbride

Thanks, they are all from early 2005, just wondering if anyone wanted to post current amounts. Thanks!

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Why would the amounts be different?

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Oh, I don't know I was just thinking because some were from a year ago, people may be tipping more. I compiled all the amounts listed and there were about 9 people that responded so I just wanted more data - yes i know I am a nerd (and an accoutant).

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Re: How much are we sopposed to tip everyone?????

bump