The Ultimate Wedding Tipping Guide: Who to Tip and How Much

Planning a wedding involves a lot of moving parts, and part of that process includes figuring out how much to tip your vendors. While tipping is never mandatory, it’s a thoughtful way to show appreciation for the hard work that helps make your day special. But with so many vendors involved, knowing who to tip (and how much) can feel overwhelming. This wedding tipping guide breaks down the etiquette to make sure you’re prepared and stress-free.

Why Tipping Matters

Tipping is a way to show gratitude for exceptional service. Many wedding vendors put in extra hours and effort to make sure your day runs smoothly, and a tip acknowledges their hard work. That said, not all vendors expect tips, and some may already include gratuity in their contracts. It's important to review contracts carefully to avoid double-tipping.

Who to Tip and How Much

Catering Staff

If you’re working with a catering company, gratuity is often included in the final bill. If not, it's customary to tip the waitstaff, bartenders, and kitchen staff.

How much: 15-20% of the total catering bill. For bartenders, tip around 10-15% of the total bar tab, or $1-2 per guest for an open bar.

Wedding Planner

While not required, tipping your wedding planner is a generous gesture if they went above and beyond to make your day seamless.

- How much: $500 to $1,000 or 10-20% of their fee.

Hair and Makeup Artists

Just like in a salon, it’s standard to tip hair and makeup artists for weddings. If they travel to your location, consider tipping extra.

- How much: 15-25% of the total service cost.

Photographer & Videographer

Photographers and videographers don’t expect tips, but if they provided exceptional service, a tip is a nice way to show your appreciation.

- How much: $50-200 per photographer/videographer, depending on the size of the team and hours worked.

Ceremony Officiant

If you’re getting married in a church or religious setting, many officiants don’t accept tips. Instead, you can make a donation to the place of worship. If your officiant is non-religious, a tip is appreciated.

- How much: $100-300 or a donation to the officiant's organization or house of worship.

Musicians/DJ

Whether you have a live band, string quartet, or DJ, tipping them for their performance is customary, especially if they kept the energy high throughout the event.

- How much: $25-50 per musician or $50-200 for a DJ.

Florist

Florists typically don’t expect tips, but if they’ve gone above and beyond—like handling last-minute requests or delivering more than expected—a small tip is appreciated.

- How much: $50-100, depending on the complexity of the arrangements.

Transportation

For drivers who provide limo or shuttle services, check if gratuity is included in your contract. If not, tipping is customary.

- How much: 15-20% of the total transportation bill, or $50-100 per driver.

Delivery and Setup Staff (Cake, Rentals, etc.)

Anyone involved in the physical setup of your wedding—from cake delivery to furniture rentals—appreciates a tip for handling the logistics smoothly.

- How much: $5-10 per person for simple deliveries, or $20-50 per person for larger setups like tents or staging.

Venue Coordinator

If your venue provides a coordinator who has been involved throughout the planning process, a tip for their time and effort is a thoughtful gesture.

- How much: $100-500, depending on the level of service.

When and How to Give the Tips

Timing is everything when it comes to tipping at a wedding. The best time to tip is right after the service is completed, or at the end of your wedding day. You can have your wedding planner or a trusted family member distribute the tips in envelopes, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Pro Tips:

- Prepare the envelopes in advance with the recipient's name and the amount.

- For larger amounts, consider writing a thank-you note inside the envelope to add a personal touch.

- If gratuity is already included in the contract, it’s always nice to offer a small token of appreciation, such as a gift card or handwritten note.

Should You Tip the Owner?

A common question is whether to tip the owner of a business. Traditionally, business owners don’t expect tips, as they set their own prices and profit margins. However, if the owner provided exceptional service, especially if they were hands-on throughout your event, you can consider tipping or giving a small gift as a thank-you.

Tips vs. Gifts: What’s the Difference?

While cash tips are the norm, giving a gift can also be a meaningful way to show gratitude. Some couples opt for personalized gifts or gift cards in place of cash. This is especially common for vendors like planners, photographers, or florists with whom you've built a personal relationship over the course of planning your wedding.

Popular gift ideas:

- Handwritten thank-you notes

- Gift cards to a favorite coffee shop or restaurant

- Personalized gifts such as a framed photo or bottle of wine

Tipping wedding vendors is a thoughtful way to recognize their hard work and dedication to making your big day perfect. While not all vendors expect a tip, it’s important to show appreciation where it’s due. By planning your tips in advance, you can ensure that all your vendors feel valued without adding last-minute stress to your wedding day.