Final Tipping Question

O.k. so back to this same old question - do you tip the photographer and videographer if they own their studios? Or just the assistants? What seems appropriate in this situation...also, did anyone ever figure out what to tip the priest, if you did? And how about the altar servers? Thanks for the help.

Final Tipping Question

We did not tip our videographer because it was his own business. We tipped the altar servers $10 each. We did not tip the priest or cantor because we were told by them that they do not accept them.

Final Tipping Question- Ceremony

Well, my church made it easy. When we booked our ceremony we were handed a stack of envelopes with 'suggested contributions' written on them, $10.00 for each alter server,$10.00 for the janator and a lot of others. I dont remember the Deacon's fee or the 'suggested donation' for the church but in total everything comes to $575.00. This includes $170.00 for music if we choose to use the parish musicians.

Final Tipping Question

I finally got info from the photographer and they suggested 5% if you are happy... but back to your question. My little bro used to be an alter boy. $10 to $15 was about the norm 2 years ago or so, but if you are throwing rice/birdsheed/petals and they are cleaning it up, you should probably give towards the higher end. I am clueless on everything else. What if your band leader owns the band? Do you tip the rest of the members and not him/her?

So...

your photographer thinks around 5%? Is he the owner of the studio, just curious since I always thought you don't tip the owner. And that seems a lot to give to an assistant. It's not that I'm opposed to tipping for good service, its just that the photographer and videographer own the studios, and combined are getting over $6000 in payments - I just want to do the right thing, you know?

So...

No. My photographer is not the owner. The studio suggested 5% for the photographer. It did not mention the assistants. I think it is a total tip suggestion. If they own the studios, you are probably not supposed to tip. I always feel weird about that even if I go to a hair dresser that owns the salon, but it does make sense.

So...

No, not necessary for owner (but of course always appreciated if you are extra happy and feel like it.) A percentage is difficult, because the photographer or assistant have nothing to do with the total 'package' that you bought. They are concerned with wedding day photography, not albums. You should simply consider number of hours, logistics + travel (three locations in Manhattan would be different then everythin in one place near the studio) and enthusiasm on the job. How helpful were they? Did they do more then you would normally expect? etc., etc. It's really not written in stone, just what seems right. I give out a suggested gratuity sheet for the various levels of photographers I send out. I don't know what others do.

Tipping

Photographer tipping

I have never heard of a photographer`s tip being quoted as a percent of the total price. Afterall, whether you get 24 pictures in your album or 60, the photographer is still doing the same amount of work. So if you get a $2000 package you tip $100 and if you get a $5000 package you tip $250? Better off going with a set amount.

Photographer tipping - Amy

What seems appropriate to you? A percentage of the package or more of a 'gesture'?

Photographer tipping - Amy

Not for nothing, but this tipping thing seems out of control, no? I have been surveying my married friends and you would be surprised how many have said that they did not tip the photographer or the videographer because they were already making so much money. Everything I read online says tipping photo/video is optional and that the recommended 'gesture' if you do it is around $20 - $25. Doesn't that seem almost ridiculous given how much you are paying them? I'm still undecided about this - and the wedding is in 3 days!!