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TIP INFORMATION?

Aristotelina Posted:

TIP INFORMATION?

Please help. Here is a list of people that I think I need to tip (or if I don't, let me know!!) I want to start writing out my envelopes and I'm not sure who or how much to give!!

Seamstress who did my alterations for my dress?

My Photographer? His Assistants?

Videographer?

Makeup/Hair Person?

I think that's it for now......

TIA!!!!
Just Cindy Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

This is what I have:

Wedding Planner
Wedding planners won't likely expect anything; however, if yours did a great job you can always offer a token of your appreciation. (Note: Non-monetary thank-yous like professional photos of the wedding for the planner's portfolio can go a long way too.) Approximately 50 percent of couples do tip their planners -- typically those with more opulent weddings.
Protocol: Optional
The $tandard: Up to $500, or a nice gift
When to Tip: The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception, or, she should send a thank-you note with photos or a check after the honeymoon.

Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist
This is one area where a gratuity is definitely expected. Tip between 15 - 20 percent just as you would in a salon, and consider giving a little extra if there's a crisis, like one of your bridesmaids has a meltdown over her updo and it requires a redo at the last minute.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 25 percent, depending upon the quality of service
When to Tip: At the end of your service

Delivery and Set-up Staff
Slip a few dollars to anyone delivering important items to the site (cake, flowers, or sound system). And if a lot of gear needs to be brought in and set up (tents, chairs, or port-a-potties), the workers deserve a tip too.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: $5 - $10 per person
When to Tip: Drop off cash envelopes the day before the wedding to the catering manager so the person accepting deliveries can turn the tip.

Officiant
If your officiant is affiliated with a church or synagogue, you're often expected to make a donation to that institution. If you're a member you'll probably want to give a larger amount than if you're not. However, if you're getting married there and they're charging you to use the space, feel free to give a smaller amount. If you're using a nondenominational officiant, no tip is required because they will charge you for their time.
Protocol: Expected (depending on officiant)
The standard: Donate $500+ to the church or synagogue, or, for a nondenominational officiant, an optional tip of $50 - $100
When to Tip: Most ceremony fees are required prior to the wedding. Otherwise, have the best man pass the cash envelope at the rehearsal dinner if the officiant is in attendance.

Musicians (ceremony)
If you worked with a mini orchestra to come up with the perfect score for your service (and they pulled it off flawlessly), consider showing some monetary thanks for their talent. However, you probably don't have to tip the solo church organist who was required to play.
Protocol: Optional
The $tandard: $15 - $20 per musician
When to Tip: At the end of the ceremony.

Photographer/Videographer
You're not expected to give your shutterbugs any dough beyond their normal fees. Yet if the photographer or videographer doesn't own the studio, consider tipping each person (or give a certain amount with a thank-you note to disperse to staff).
Protocol: Unnecessary, unless the photographer is not the studio owner.
The $tandard: $50 - $200 per vendor
When to Tip: At the end of the reception.

Reception Staff
This type of staff includes the on-site coordinator, maitre d', and banquet manager. A service charge (typically 2 percent) is almost always built in to the food and drink fee, so check your contract. If the gratuity is not included, tip as follows.
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 - $300 for the maitre d'.
When to Tip: If it's covered in the contract, the final bill is typically due before the reception. Otherwise, have the father of the bride or best man hand the envelope to the maitre d' at the end of the reception since you will need to know the final tab to calculate the percentage.

Reception Attendants
When it comes to bartenders, waitstaff, parking, bathroom, and coat-room attendants the rules of tipping are dictated by your contract. If the service fee is included, consider doling out extra only if the service was exceptional. If it's not included, ask ahead of time how many attendants will be working your wedding and calculate on a per person basis.
Protocol: Optional, based on contract
The $tandard: $20 - $25 per bartender or waiter; $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants; $1 per car
When to Tip: Although tips are traditionally passed out at the end of the event, you could alternately distribute them at the beginning of the evening, to encourage all the workers to give you great service.

Cake Bakers and Florists
The person designing your floral arrangements or baking your cake won't be expecting a tip, but again, if the service went above and beyond, give the owner a particular amount to disperse among his staff.
Protocol: Unnecessary
The $tandard: Around $200 (or $5 - $10 each) for the florist and cake baker to divvy up between their staff

Musicians (reception)
Whether you hire 12-piece swing band or grooving to a DJ, tipping musicians is completely optional. (Depending on the quality of the job and how willing they were to follow your ideal playlist!) And don't forget about any sound technicians they bring with them.
Protocol: Optional, yet preferred
The $tandard: $20 - $25 per musician; $50 - $150 for DJs
When to Tip: At the end of the reception, by the best man.

Transportation
Again, check your contract, as gratuity is usually included. If it isn't, plan to tip provided they show up on time and don't get lost!
Protocol: Expected
The $tandard: 15 - 20 percent of the total bill
When to Tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride. If you used a separate company for the guest buses, designate a bus captain to hand the driver a tip, otherwise, this duty falls to the best man.
9509Bride Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

I just got a headache....wow I never thought about all the tips etc... that list was helpful though, thanks!

Aristotelina Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

definitely very helpful!!!

But should I tip my seamstress?
Just Cindy Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?


Posted by Aristotelina

definitely very helpful!!!

But should I tip my seamstress?



Well did she do a great job? I would tip her if you feel that she did a great job and deserves one.
michelle1024 Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

bump

Juhgail Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

Thanks for the bump. This is good stuuf!

Juhgail Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

bump for a bride!

gina409 Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

bump for 2010 girls
gina409 Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

bump

FutureJOC Posted:

Re: TIP INFORMATION?

very helpful list! thanks... definitely saving this in my NB

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