vendors..what is the ettiquette for...

tipping.....

photographer
photographer's assistant
band
bartenders at reception
banquet manager
maitre d
florist

First of all, tipping is *voluntary*. You don't have to tip anyone for anything.

That's by definition. Look it up in any dictionary.

I feel strongly that tipping should be an expression of appreciation for good to excellent service. The more personal the service (for example hair styling), the more appropriate tipping becomes.

If you consult ettiquette reference books on this topic, you'll find they all say basically the same thing.

Now, in some jobs the minimum wage is set assuming lots of tips, because tipping is the custom in this country. That's why I always tip waitstaff (15-20%) and bartenders ($1-2 per drink). Hair styling is such a personal service, I always tip those people as well (10-20%).

Regarding bands, the truth: Some agencies, not all, pay only union scale to individual musicians, which is something like $265 a musician per night. They may charge you $1000+ per person, but the player only receives union scale.

If you've hired independent musicians, they should be splitting your fee evenly among them, except the leader, who may take 10-25% extra to help pay for booking expenses. (This is fine with bandmates, who are usually very grateful to have a hardworking band leader!)

We never expect tips, but most of the time, we do get extra money. Tips have ranged from things like a $100 bill given to me, to a surprise extra $100 on the final check, to a fat envelope filled with $20 bills handed to me as we're leaving. I did some quick calculations, percentagewise our tips lately have been 15-35%. In my band tips are shared equally among everyone.

But - my bandmates are not encouraged to expect tips. They agree to perform for their share of the fee.

Hope this helps!
--Karla.

This is my opinion for you as a bride, I got married not to long ago. At Giorgio's. Tips are first and foremost not required for ANYONE. I tend to tip very well, as people do not have to do anything above and beyond for you. Many will, some will do the bare minimum to make it through the task. Tips that are included before you are actually served I don't like, as the server (regardless of the service being provided) has already been given a reward for a job well done. Nothing left to work for


photographer & photographer's assistant- did not tip a penny, they were rude, made my reception miserable and ruined my mood for picture taking all together. We had $ 250 set aside for them, as your pictures last a life time and a job well done is priceless.

band- We had a DJ, however his wife was expecting, we bought a gift for his children. More of a personal tip than monitary.

bartenders at reception- an extra $ 50 for each.

banquet manager- Never saw him once-

maitre d- hall made it madatory prior to the event, they did not get any ext ra from us. However the bridal attendant who was INCREDIBLE got an extra hundred from us and both of our parents tips her very well. she was included in the mandarory split for maitre d's tip but it was indeed minimal.

florist- well thats me so I did not have to tip them , no really I have been tipped very well in at the jobs I have done. Never expected, my only focus is pleasing you and making your pieces EXCATLY what you are looking for. I will be honest though and the BEST tip I could ever receive is your recommendations and some pics when you get your proofs back.

Again thi sis just my opinion from a consumer perspective.

Trina
Expressions