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Karen
Nesbitt
It
is common practice to assign a family member or friend to hand out
the tip envelopes to vendors and other recipients, either the day
before or the morning of the wedding. This can create extra incentive
for them to go above and beyond the call of duty, as they execute
their responsibilities on your wedding day.
However,
some couples prefer to determine tip amounts after the event, when
they can best assess the outcome and quality of the products provided
and services rendered. This harkens back to the oft-spoken: "A tip
is a privilege, not a right."
In
either scenario, here are some fairly standard guidelines of who to
tip and how much (but first, check your contracts ... many vendors
automatically include gratuity on the invoice). Except for cases
where a flat fee is more appropriate, the basic rule of thumb is to
tip 10-20% of the bill, just as you might offer a waiter or other
service provider. And, keep in mind, that a thank-you note can be
considered a tip, worth its weight in gold, since it can serve as a
recommendation of the vendor's services.
- Wedding
coordinator: anywhere from $50 to 10-20% of their bill
- Photographer/Videographer:
10-20%
- Florist:
10-20%
- Make-up
artist and hairstylist: 10-20%
- Driver
(limo, horse-drawn carriage, etc.): 10-20%
- Altar
boys or girls: $10-$15 each
- Officiant:
if they do not charge for the ceremony, then $50-$100 is appropriate.
A clergy member (priest, rabbi, minister) may accept a tip or
donation, but civil officers (judges, clerks) get a flat fee and
usually can't take tips.
- Ceremony
musician(s): Before tipping, check if their service is included in
the church fee. If not, then $35-$50 per person.
- Cake
baker: 10-20% (tipping here can depend largely on whether you picked
up the cake yourself or if it was delivered and, subsequently, set up
for you).
- Banquet
or catering manager:10-20%
- Wait
staff: 10-20% of the total catering bill
- Bartenders:
10-20% (and in this case, make sure to tell them not to put out a tip
jar!)
- DJ:
10-20%
- Band:
$25-$50 per member
- Parking
attendants: $.50 to $2.00 per car. You can agree on the amount, ahead
of time, with their supervisor, based on the assumed number of
cars.In this case, valets should be directed to inform guests that
gratuity has already been addressed.
- Restroom
and/or coatroom attendants: $.50 cents to $1 per guest,
pre-determined, as with the parking attendants.
References
and Resources
http://www.frugalbride.com/tipping.html
http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/wedding-tipping.html
http://www.buffalobride.com/sub_sections/etiquette/tipping_tips.htm
http://www.wedaholic.com/archives/to_tip_or_not_to_tip_gratuities_for_your_wedding_suppliers.php
http://www.weddingzone.net/p-tips09.htm
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