Lodge at torrey pines wedding tips on tipping

Today we’re sharing our top tips for tipping! You’re approaching the wedding day, the big details are done but there is one small detail that almost everyone frets over, tipping. Luckily there are some great resources like The Knot or Martha Stewart Weddings that have us covered. All of these explain who to tip, when it is expected or optional, and how much to tip. We’ve narrowed down the ins and outs of tipping and come up with a guide that will give you a good idea how to budget.

All of these vendors have and will be working hard to make sure your day goes off with out a hitch. So it is important to thank these people, as they all will have had a part in making your day special. Knowing about tipping before the final weeks will help you budget that amount so you can truly enjoy your wedding day, headache free! Hope this helps you as you plan!

Tipping 101

Wedding Planner

The general consensus for wedding planners is that they will not be expecting a tip. If you feel that they did an exceptional job, however, and went above and beyond in service, a 15% tip, nice gift, or up to $500 is appropriate.

Food/Beverages

As one of the most important aspects of your wedding, tipping your catering company, wait staff, and bartenders is a must. When deciding what to tip, make sure that you discuss with the head caterer whether or not the tip is already included in the service fee, as this is common.

Catering: If gratuity is not included, 15-20%. Some may recommend $100 – $300 for the catering manager.

Wait Staff: 15-20% of the total bill before tax, or $20-30 per waiter. It all depends on the final price of the bill, how much service is being provided, and how many waiters are staffed for the event.

Bartenders: 15% of the total bill before tax, or $20-$25 per bartender. Much like with the wait staff, tipping should reflect how much work is being put in to the drinks.

Photographer/Videographer

If the photographer owns the business, it is not expected but it is a generous gift that you could send upon receiving the final product. Consider a tip ranging from $50-$200 depending on your experience with them and level of satisfaction.

Hair/Makeup

Much like food service, tipping your hair and makeup people is a must. 15-20% of the total bill is generous.

Officiant

It is agreed by all tipping professionals that when tipping an officiant, it is better to make a donation to the church. This can range anywhere from $100-$500 depending on your affiliation with the church or congregation.

Band/DJ

Much of the tipping for music is up to your discretion. If you feel that they stuck to your playlist and everyone had a great time dancing, then a generous tip is appropriate. If you have a band at your wedding, expect 10-15% or $20-$50 per band member if the gratuity is not already included. For a DJ, plan to tip anywhere from $50-$150 for gratuity.

Transportation

Many transportation services do expect a tip at the end of the night if it is not already included in their contract. 10-15% is appropriate.

Delivery Services

All delivery services include florists, ceremony staff, bakeries, etc. If things are delivered and set up in a timely manner, expect to tip around $5 – $10 per person.

Valet

While many weddings may not include this service, if you do choose to incorporate it, $1-$2 per car is acceptable. Additionally, make sure that valet refuses all additional tips from guests.

REMEMBER

Tipping is an act of gratuity for a company providing exceptional service, and is not always required, but merely a “thank-you” for going above and beyond. These tips on tipping are merely suggestions, there are so many other ways of saying thank you that are also greatly appreciated are gifts, such as a nice bottle of wine; hand-written thank you cards; outstanding reviews on Yelp or other recommendation websites, and even referrals to friends.

Photo Credit: Jasmine Star Photography

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