Tips-who should I tip and how much?

My wedding is coming up this weekend- yikes! and I was wondering who should I tip and how much?
Can anyone give me a list of who to tip? (photograher, DJ, Videoographer, Limo, Maitre D', officiant, bridal assistant)???
I know I definitely have to tip the limo and Maitre D but I'm not sure about the video guy and potographer? Also, can you please give me a tip range for each of these, I am stressing about other things as well but this is one thing which I hope not to stress about. Please help?

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

Wow I came on here to post the same question, not because my wedding is this week (congrats btw) but just so i can budget my gratuities.

From my understanding if the company is owned by the vendor there really isnt a need to becuase they are making money off of the night either way but if they do a great job I may want to just give a little something to show my appreciation still.

My photographer is the owner and he told me he expects a meal but would only appreciate a tip for the second photographer whom he hires,which makes sense, he said $25-50 but I am not sure if that is standard or what.

I mean you have to figure in dinner too which for me is over 100 a head which in all honesty should replace a tip but i guess it depends, they obviosly have to eat if they are with you all day like a videographer or photographer but what is wrong with eating at cocktail. I think some prefer to eat at cocktail and get a tip rather than dinner and no tip.

Hope this helps but im sure others wil reply who know better than me.

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

Our limos have a built in gratuity so no tip there - if I didn't already pay for it, I would give them more.

I am tipping our photographers a few hundred (provided their performance is as expected) as well as our catering manager and maitre D.

I think thats it - many of my vendors are also the owners of the business so I don't tip there.

Its really up to you. Im sure if I get 'above and beyond' service from any of my vendors, I will be happy to thank them with a tip.

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

This is out list of tips for the wedding:

Limo - included
Photographer - owner so none
Photog Asst - 50
DJ/Mc - 40 each
Video guy - owner so none
Flower Delivery Guys 10-20 depends on if they set-up or just drop everything. if they set up, it wll be more.
Valets - $1 per guest
Maitre D' - $2-4 per guest was receommended. It will depend on the service of the day.

The vendors that will be with us the whole day will also be getting a meal, granted it's discounted, but it's still an additional expense.

What about the bartender?

...is anyone planning on tipping them?

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

This is what we're doing and all depending on how the service is:

MD $2-3 pp
BA ~$75
Captain ~$75
2 Photographers (we only have them for 4 hrs) $50
DJ-owner
Flowers are only going to the hall, before I get there, so I don't think I have to tip.
I think that's it.

The bartendar is part of the waitstaff who is included in the gratuity.

If valet is not included in the gratuity, should I tip them, and if I do, how do I notify guests??

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

Almost all limo companies build a tip into your price so take a look at your contract. You can have a $20 for your driver in case he does a really good job. That is what we plan to do.

We will tip our event manager/bridal assistant depending on the level of service and how happy we are with everything around $200-$300. Also, if you have lots of things that you want done for your event such as menus, special placecards, special kid favors (we are doing that), lots of table things then you might want to tip him/her more.
MD- $2-$4 per guest. But I will see that day how the service is and how problems are handled.
Photographers- $200ish each
Video- He is the owner but we plan on doing something for him.
Band- not sure yet. It will depend how much $$ we have left
Florist delivery- $30 or a bit higher. She is wrapping my Aunt's staircase in tulle, plus I have lots of flowers.
I will probably tip our waitress if she does a nice job. $25. I used to waitress so I always reward good service. I know my parents plan on giving their waitress a few bucks to make sure everything goes very smoothly. Plus the bartendars and valets will get a bit extra ($15-$25) if they do a great job.

Honestly tipping is a big bill for a bride and groom.

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

Michele...what are you doing for BIll and Marie? also are you tipping the second cameraman?

Tara...I am so glad that you talked to John about tips...are you having an assistant as well? How much to tip them? (I was going to give $100 and have him split it)

my dj owns his company, but what about his 2 assts?

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

I am going to give Bill and Marie a nice gift after the wedding but probably not cash. My 2nd camera guy is only doing the ceremony so I will ask Marie what is customary, but not over $40 for one hour of work.
DJ assistants- $45 each? Maybe $50.

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

I am reading about these tips and I am curious...if someone is the 'owner' then we do not have to tip them?

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

Yes. An owner does not need to be tipped since he or she makes the full profit from the sale.

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

I feel awkward not tipping the make up lady who works out of her basement...any suggestions??

Re: Tips-who should I tip and how much?

Let's not forget bathroom attendants and brdes attendant