I assume it is generally customary to tip your vendors (a certain percentage). What is considered a customary amount? A friend of mine recently used a photographer who notified her shortly before her wedding that she would need to tip the photographers $100-200 and that these photographers depended on this money - is this normal or high? I will be booking my photographer soon and want to know if this is something I will need to be budgeting for.
Mystic Music
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Re: Tipping Vendors (Photographers specifically)
I don't think any vendor ever depends on a tip, nor should it be expected. You are already paying for their services. If you feel that they have gone above and beyond for you and you wish to tip them, that is very generous of you, but there is no set amount. That is purely a gesture on your part. I would stay away from anyone who DEPENDS on a tip and especially a certain amount! Good Luck and have fun with the planning! It's a wonderful time.
I totally agree with Amy. Anyone who tells you in advance that they expect a tip or gives you an amount they will expect - I would recommend you totally avoid that vendor. That is a totally unprofessional attitude.Gratuities are at the discretion of the client and should be based on the quality of the service and should only be decided after the service has been provided. Stan Wiest A.STAN WIEST MUSIC Featured in Bridal Guide Magazine January 2003 Article '75 Best Reception Ideas Ever'
That was my feeling - I was a waitress for a few years so I know how important tips can be - but this sounded strange to me. Is there a certain percentage that is 'recommended' in general if you are very pleased with the service you were given? Thank you - everyone has been sooo helpful!
Ultimate Class Limousine
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Hi, Hope my email was helpful. I'll be in the office tomorrow (Thurs evening) if you need to speak with me. Good luck and keep smiling!! Dawn Ultimateclasslimousine.com 516-935-4444
Angelica Studios
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Re: tipping vendors (photographers especially)
Gratuities are of course a recognition of a job well done and are naturally dependent on your level of satisfaction of their work.
Percentages are difficult, since those working (not generally owners) have nothing to do with the total package. For photographers, the job of photographing the wedding has nothing to do with what album package you signed up for or what you're eventually going to add to that package after you see the pictures (hopefully, if they do a great job and you love your pictures then you'll add to your package after you see the pictures)
As a former waitress, you understand the vagaries of the work. I always tip with a higher percentage for breakfast then for dinner, since the waitress is working just as hard for a family @ $25 as for a dinner @ $100!! The percentage I give for breakfast depends on the number of people being served, the amount of work/time that was devoted to us and simply how much the service was worth, not the total of the bill. You also may have wondered if the customers that you served were unhappy with your service if the tip was low (especially if they came from Europe where tips are included and were not aware of our expected percentages.)
I give my customers a write-up on suggested gratuities, reminding them that there are 'easy' days and 'difficult' days. My pricing structure does not differentiate between everything at one location or as many as four (or more!) locations. My suggestions are based on my experiences working for other studios many years ago when I used to receive anything from $0 to $100 with no discernable difference with my service or how hard I worked on the day. Needless to say I used to be disappointed with $25 and thrilled with $100 (this was 15-20 years ago.) I try to empathize with the photographers who work for me (who ARE paid well!) and make the situation (which is new to most brides and grooms!) more consistant with a general expectation (which as human beings we all have when we're working, especially in a service industry.)
I can email/send those guidelines to anyone interested. Sorry to be so long winded, but there are many factors in answering this question.
Photography by Verdi
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Re: tipping vendors (photographers especially)
I agree with Stan, anyone who comes right out and asks for a tip whether it be a photographer, waitress, haircutter, or anyone else for that matter, would lose my business right out. The job hasn't even been done yet. I think that in our culture, the meaning of a tip has completely lost all its meaning. My view of what a tip or gratuity is, is that it is meant as a gift of a job well done by ANYONE in any business. If someone who has done a service for me goes above and beyond what is expected of them, say for example, a taxi driver who has gone out of his way to not just get me to my destination, (which is what he is being paid for initially), goes above and beyond to make sure I know where I am going, points out the sites, maybe refers me to a great place to eat, etc., if you see my point. Or, a hairdresser who not only cuts my hair, the job I initially came for, but tells me how to wash it, style it, shows me products for my specific hair type, maybe different styles I can now do with that cut, etc. It all boils down to service. I don't think it matters who is receiving the tip or what form the tip takes, whether it be monetary, gift certificate, even a favor from the wedding. What it tells my husband and myself when we receive a gratuity, was that the couple felt we somehow went above what they expected from us and that we did our job to the best of our ability and beyond. Tips should never become common place or they will lose all their meaning of what they were intended for in the first place. Just our opinion.
A. Stan Wiest Music
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Re: Tipping Vendors (Photographers specifically)
It was a pleasure reading the reply by Verdi Photographers. Both our offices have the same approach in many areas and that is why it is always a delight to work with them. A true professional will respond the way Verdi did. These are the kind of people (vendors) -who approach the wedding with a professional attitude. You should surround yourself with as many people (vendors) like this as possible. This will guarantee you a successful, stress and worry free wedding. Have a wonderful holiday. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email with any questions you may have. When you have a chance look in the article section on liweddings. I have several articles there that will give you additional insight. STAN WIEST A.STAN WIEST MUSIC (631) 754-0594 email [email protected]
http://www.stanwiest.com/li_wedding_planning2.com
Photography by Verdi
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Re: Tipping Vendors (Photographers specifically)
Thanks again, Stan, you are too sweet. But again, that is just our views, plain and simple.
Photos of the Heart
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Re: Tipping Vendors (Photographers specifically)
We have been photographing weddings for almost 20 years. We never ask for a tip for ourselves (we are the owners) or for any of our staff photographers. Over the years, we have been graced with anything from no tip to several hundred and everything inbetween.Our service on the wedding day does not vary because we do or do not get a tip. After the wedding I'm human and am free to be just as generous later by 'throwing in' costly extras just because I feel like returning the graciousness and generosity given to us. I've often surprised many clients with 'free extras' after the wedding just because .... Even a small tip like $25 or $50 shows appreciation...... Of all your vendors for your wedding day, the photographer is 'on duty' for a straight 8-10-12-14-16 hours....more than anyone else. (The clergy marries you in 1/2 hour, the hall feeds you in five fours, the limo transports you in about 3 hours, etc.)The photographer/videographer are the only vendors producing a product that will last a lifetime and beyond.
Burke Entertainment
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Re: Tipping Vendors (Photographers specifically)
I don't think I'll be adding much here but I have to say it's so nice to hear all the previous replys. It demonstrates that Long Island Weddings deals with real professionals. If a vendor is depending on that extra $100 then it should be part of the price. Tips are ABSOLUTELY OPTIONAL. I would never assume that the lack of a tip meant dissatisfaction. If the service was unacceptable, I would expect a complaint. (which we've never received by the way). Any tip offered, is a special compliment that should be accepted graciously and never expected. Thanks for letting me add my 2 cents.
