Tipping

I'm planning on preparing envelopes for all of vendors for tips. I'd like your input on how much to tip. What's the going rate? Is there even a going rate???

Keep me posted! : )

No need to be paranoid.......just aware. : )

Tipping

You should tip the bridal attendant and maitre d according to what you think is fair. This may be difficult. It depends on where you are having your wedding, what the reception costs. If you are having something that's $250 per head as opposed to $45 per person you should tip accordingly. I tell my brides --$50 for the bridal attendant and the maitre'd -each- is appropriate. If after the wedding there is someone you really wanted to tip but didn't have money for - send it afterwords with a thank you note. Good luck!

No need to be paranoid.......just aware. : )

Tipping

What about the band and video and photographer?

The guest book should be at the ceremony and at the reception. At the ceremony it should be before you enter the church/temple... near the programs maybe. AT the reception with the place cards or on a separate table that some catering halls have. Good luck.

No need to be paranoid.......just aware. : )

Tipping

I have a suggested gratuity paper that I hand out to all my customers (for photographers). If anyone would like a copy, just email me privately.

Otherwise, Culture Club in NYC, which plays fun 80s music.

No need to be paranoid.......just aware. : )

Tipping

I am definately interested. Thanks a lot.

No need to be paranoid.......just aware. : )

Tipping

I was about to post something regarding who to tip & how much. I know that I will tip the wait staff, bartenders etc. But do you tip the band, photographer etc. Someone told me if you are paying someone directly for the service they are providing (ie: band) then you do not tip them.

Whould love some feedback - Thanks

Hello all ! I'll be getting married this August in Hampton Bays, on the south fork (where my fiance is from)... problem is, I live in Nassau. Anyone know of any good resources out east? Need a hairstylest, makeup person, limos, bakery (for cake), photog, etc. I don't know anyone else out there!

Tipping

Generally, anyone working FOR someone else (my photographers + assistants but not me) in a service oriented job would get a gratuity. In other words, whenever you want a good job (or who does a good job) from someone that it would matter if they didn't, when it is not the owner (who has a more vested interest in pleasing you.)

I used to work in a hall, and for the most part the people who serve are teenagers and young adults. I think the feeling is to have one person be in charge to make sure that everyone does their job, and in case anything goes wrong to have someone there to make a quick decision.

Another thing is that the maitre d' is there to serve the bride, groom and parents of both. Knowing that this is also a "tipped" job, they will treat everyone like gold, and hopefully provide anything that is asked for.

Tipping

The thing I don't like about tipping, is it seems like you or whoever has the money the day of the wedding will be walking around for the whole day handing money out. Shouldn't you be able to pay the lead person and "trust" that they will distribute the funds evenly? Kind of like a pooled tip.

As it is you are singling out the maitre d', the waitstaff if they did an amazing job, the photographer, lighting assistant, video guy, dj, mc, limo guy, priest or officient, and so on and so on - just to make sure the correct tip goes in the correct hands.

Another thing is that the maitre d' is there to serve the bride, groom and parents of both. Knowing that this is also a "tipped" job, they will treat everyone like gold, and hopefully provide anything that is asked for.

Tipping

Question to Mark, In reference to tips, you said 'if you want a good job...'

Is it appropriate to tip BEFORE? Do service people expect/prefer that?

I am a bit confused about tipping in general. It seems some of my vendors have gratuity included (Limo, waitstaff/bartenders). I guess I just have to tip the maitre d', bridal attendant, DJ. I assumed I didnt have to tip photographer & video since they are both the owners of their business.

Tipping

Owners don't expect a gratuity (maybe twice a year people surprise me.)

Yes, this whole subject is annoying + confusing. If tips are "included" than why not simply add it on to the total price and give them a raise? The answer is, if they gave out those quotes when you were shopping arouind, than they would be giving a higher quote + you wouldn't hire them.

Yes, it makes sense to tip before hand, except if you don't tip enough or not at all) they might not do such a great job. If they are expecting a tip after they work, than naturally they will do a great job because they want you to notice + give them as much as they think they deserve.

TIPPING BEFORE?

Sorry Mark, but I can't see how you can tip before. Tips should be based on the quality of the service. How can you gauge that BEFORE they have done anything? That being said, I did get your tip sheet and will use that as a base to start the tips from and increase it from there if the service is good.

Does anybody know anything about Hollywood DJ or Hollywood video in New Hyde Park?

Thanks.

TIPPING BEFORE?

No, I said that it would be better to tip after. I just gave the possibilities.

Does anybody know a good jazz group for a reception? I would like a female singer, piano, sax and perhaps a bass. I would like a group that does music, both slow and jazzy, that my guests can dance to at the reception.

Thanks.

Tipping

I think the tip should come at the end of the function and I think it's sad that the job they do depends on their tip. We are paying a lot of money to begin with for a service! Tip should be optional and according to how the bride and groom feel.

http://www.liweddings.com/businesses/31/caketops.html

Good luck with your planning. Let me know if you decide to book there.

Tip for vendors who eat

Is it true that if you feed a vendor (photographer, DJ, etc.) that the price you pay for their meal is subtracted from what cash you would give...??? Say, I wanted to tip $75, but it cost me $25 to feed them...so I would give $50. Is this right???

Tip for vendors who eat

Hi Glory!

Ummm.....anyone who is working from beginning to end (more than 5 hours) expects to be fed, which has nothing to do w/gratuities. You can't depend on the cocktail hour (although we can talk about that option). Also, we have the option of just having one photographer for the last three hours of the reception. All you really need is one photographer during that time, and you get to save on one meal + extra pictures that might not be necessary. Remember that I'll continue to work with you on the budget issue.

Thanks, Mark

Tipping

Kate, Lets not over react here. We're talking about human beings who have human feelings. Everyone generally does the best job they possibly can without necessarily thinking about how much of a tip they'll get. But just like in a restaurant you reward good service and do less for poor service (although don't we all naturally tip a waiter/waitress no matter what kind of job they're doing?) All I'm saying is that it makes good sense to reward someone who goes out of their way to do a great job + make your day go more smoothly. It is simply a nice way to say thank you.

Ummm.....anyone who is working from beginning to end (more than 5 hours) expects to be fed, which has nothing to do w/gratuities. You can't depend on the cocktail hour (although we can talk about that option). Also, we have the option of just having one photographer for the last three hours of the reception. All you really need is one photographer during that time, and you get to save on one meal + extra pictures that might not be necessary. Remember that I'll continue to work with you on the budget issue.

Thanks, Mark

Tipping

Hi Mark: I appreciate your comments, and agree that yes, we always tip, but if I did receive lousy service in a restaurant, which I have, where I've had to get up and find my waitress, then I don't tip at all. I am a part-time waitress, so I know what it's like. Also, you tip after your meal is finished, not before.

Is it common for the bride to know her shower date these days? I knew I was having one, but I didn't want to know when. My futuer sister-in-law, mentioned it on the phone (from Texas) like I knew. I was so upset. I really wanted to be surprised and now I know when it is. I thought it was tradition to not know. I feel hurt that she told me but I don't want to be angry, but I feel a little resentment. AND! She isn't even coming.

Thanks, Mark

Tip for vendors who eat

Yeah, I agree...the meal has nothing to do with gratuity. I only ask because one of our vendors mentioned that, and I found it a bit odd...especially because it was in our favor.

Tip for vendors who eat

I think that is horrible!! Why should anyone expect to be fed?! I work 8 hours a day and I do not expect my job to feed me, they pay me a salary. With that said, I fed all of my vendors and also tipped them, they all did an excellent job and I would hire each and everyone one of them again!! I told all of them that I had paid for their meal and expected them to eat. They all seemed pleased, and thanked me, now if they expected to be fed, they did not let on. As a bride the vendors that you hire should not expect anything except to perform the job that you hired and paid them to do. anything above that is a gratuity. I think that it is the gracious thing to do, but it should not be expected.

Jamelle

feed the photg?

why? aren't they supposed to be working the whole time documetning the event. At this risk of sounding ungracious, I don't think that it should be required or expected. I have fam members who were wedding photgs and they said they wouldn't RISK missing several shots cuz they were eating or in the bathroom. The DJ/band is different, since they take breaks anyway- and our DJ is acutally one of our guests who is a music producer. If they want something to eat, I will provide some finger foods on a plate, but not a dinner

I don't mean too many in a bad sense, I mean maybe this board has gotten so popular that the hosting service can't keep up with all of it. Maybe they need to archive some of the older messages.

Any info would be appreciated!