Open Question to ALL VENDORS

Us brides are wondering....

Is it NECESSARY to tip a vendor IF THEY OWN THEIR BUSINESS?

Is it frowned upon if WE DON'T TIP THE VENDOR IF THEY ARE THE OWNER....

PLEASE give us your opinion....I'll include a poll if anyone wants to remain anonymous....

Thanks so much for your input...a lot of us are unsure how to handle it!

From my perspective as the owner of a sole-proprietorship/single operation...

A gratuity is never expected nor do I base an opinion on any of my clients because of a lack thereof.

I'd say that about 60-70% of my clients choose a gratuity (amount not important) as a form of expression, a gesture if you will, of their appreciation perhaps for service above and beyond what they expected. This does not mean that clients who do not tip do not appreciate outstanding service. They pay for the service, expect, and are deserving of outstanding service based on the fees that I set for my services.

Interesting that you expressed a concern that you'd be 'frowned' upon. Maybe I've been lucky, or perhaps because my operation is relatively small, but I actually enjoy 99% of the clients that I work with... for real! A decision not to tip would not change my perception of my client in any way.

On the subject of 'gestures,' a dinner is not expected as well but is certainly appreciated as events typically require 7 hours of on-site time including setup and breakdown.

Hope this info helps...

Michael
http://www.musicbymichael.com
631.928.5918

HI,

I agree with Michael....

'From my perspective as the owner of a sole-proprietorship/single operation...

A gratuity is never expected nor do I base an opinion on any of my clients because of a lack thereof.' ...well said!

However, I do not think that just because you are dealing with the owner you should go on auto pilot and say - they own the business they don't need the tip, the money is going to them anyway.

If the owner is running their business in a traditional form the money is going to the business account to pay for LIW(we all pay to have our companines listed on this board)advertising, samples, bridal shows and inventory, the phone bill and all the other business related expenses and then they get a weekly paycheck just like at a regular job.

In addition, many of us offer generous discounts to the brides who are price shopping - those discounts come directly out of our profit - our distributors do not lower their prices to accomodate that.

So, my point is tipping for my services is completly up to you, it is not required as it is for other services.

That being said, Tipping should not have anything to do with the fact that the person is the owner - it should be based on your satisfaction of the service and your budget. ...Just my own personal opinion

Keep in mind for those of us that do run our own business, we got into it because we love weddings...love seeing two people in love...and love having a small part in their fairytale....that type of customer service is priceless

I only speak for myself...not the other vendors!

Thank you for asking for our thoughts!

Theresa
Everything But The Bride

Both Michael and Teresa make good points! I personally do not expect a tip for my services. Nor would I think differently about a person because they didn't tip.
I offer the discounts I do because of my wish for each bride to have the wedding they always dreamed of. I give the same amount of care and concern to each order regardless.
Should a customer wish to offer a tip, I more times than not use it to treat my kids to a pizza and ice cream!
JMO!

Best wishes,

Rebecca
Favorite Things Invitations
Nesconset (631) 979 6300

Good question! I know when I was planning my wedding we didn't know who to tip, and if anyone was required to be tipped.

I have to agree with my fellow vendors above- it is not a requirement to tip an owner.

I do think you should use your personal judgement- if someone does an exceptional job, you certainly can reward them in some way. It doesn't have to be monetary either. I've been thrilled to receive letters of recommendation in the mail.

If it were a tip, I would do the same as Rebecca- I'd use it to give my kids a treat! (or to buy diapers!!)

Laura-LA Productions [email protected]

A tip is never expected or frowned upon if one doesn't occur. As a owner if a bride asks me if they should tip, i would say no, does it happen regardless, yes. More often than not i am there with a crew of my employees decorating a facility, sometimes when a bride notices this they will tip and therefore i will desperse this among my employees. It is never frowned upon if it doesn't occur, but as always they are greatly appreciated.

Hope this helps ! John...

John Feeney
Flower Michele Florist
SAF,AIFD Master Designer
NYS Representative World Flower Council

I don't think it is frowned upon if you do not tip them. If you think they have done an outstanding over the top job then I would think a tip or something would be nice. In the past I have received gift cards from my brides to Starbucks (they know me so well ), even amex gift checks. People who have lots of points can get them from amex.....It truly should be whatever you are comfortable with. Hope that helps......The best thank you of all to me is pictures from the wedding!!!

Lots of luck

Laurie

Good Afternoon Everyone:
I agree with all the vendors. As clergy I never expect to be tipped. Some of my clients have treated me to reception dinner and I was grateful. But that is never required, we know how the affair can be expensive. However, I have heard of clients tipping or making a donation to their officiant or church beyond the normal fee. Its totally up to you and your budget, but please don't feel that it is a requirement. I hope this helped you..Enjoy the Snow.
God Bless you both on your sacred journey.
Happy Holidays to All!
Pastor Angela Heil
[email protected] www.angelaheilministries.com

To a very delicate question?

I can not see the bride tipping the vendor (owner),But I can see tipping the driver or
a worker doing a floral decoration Its not mandatory it gives them an incentive


Best Regards,
Carmine

This probably won't be very well viewed by my fellow vendors-- but here goes. I myself, as a consumer am a very generous tipper, for a job well done, over what is expected. Those who work for tips rely on them to maintain their lifestyle. I do not think in ANY scenario a tip is mandatory nor should be expected. As the owner of Expressions Floral I feel the same way. We are all consumers at one point or another. The wedding business is quite a mark up in and of itself, you ladies are laying out a large sum of money regardless of you budget. Which I will take for granted in assuming is money you have worked for, or someone you love.

Never feel obligated. Tipping is a reward for a job well done, not a mandated thing.

Trina

Michael + Theresa (the first two) most closely voiced my sentiments. I give out a suggested gratuity sheet for my other photographers, but since I generally charge more for myself to be the main photographer, I wouldn't expect any more. However, there are times that I step in as a main photographer @ n/c or a reduced rate, and then I'm working just as any other photographer would. As a matter of fact, I'm on salary and sometimes see my other photographers getting paid more for working a few weddings in a weekend than I do for the week! So it isn't so easy and you as the consumer don't always know what the situation is on the other side.

Naturally, do what your heart tells you, and know that an owner would never be insulted for not getting a tip, but of course it's always appreciated.

(by the way ..... for photographers staying through till the end, dinner is always expected. An average day for a photographer is 8-10 hours.)