Metropolitan Weddings Volume 14, Issue 1 | Page 48

Metropolitan Weddings First of all , thank you ladies for explaining the ins and outs of tipping . This can be such an awkward subject for many brides and grooms . We appreciate your insight . Let ’ s go down the list of various wedding vendors and get your thoughts !
Kayla This depends . If you attend their church , then yes , it should be a larger donation than if you just hired them to officiate your wedding . $ 100 is a good amount .
Jenna If they did your premarital counseling as well as officiated your ceremony , then a larger tip definitely . If they are affiliated with a church , then a donation to the church in their honor and a small personalized gift to the officiant is appropriate .
Jenna Tip a little more than normal . 10-15 % is standard if you were at their salon , but this is your wedding day and 20 % is appropriate .
Kayla 20-25 %. If each bridesmaid is paying for her own hair and makeup , they would tip individually . However if the bride is paying for everyone , then she should tip 20-25 % of the total bill .
Misty This is really important to note when looking at the banquet event order – there is a difference between service charge and gratuity . If it is not clear on your bill , be sure to ask . Some caterers will add 18-22 % gratuity . If it is not already included , definitely tip the same percentage of your overall food cost . The cost of a server is not a gratuity – every vendor is different , so do not hesitate to ask .
Jenna Sometimes caterers will charge gratuity ahead of time , which makes it easier . If not , be prepared to tip 10-15 % of the total food cost . Because it is a more expensive service , 20 % can be a lot . But if you are just picking up products , like the food or cake , you do not have to tip . If they are offering a service , like delivering the food , preparing it , serving the food as well as bussing tables , definitely be prepared to tip the staff .
Jenna Some bar packages already include gratuity . If you are having an open bar and you ’ ve paid for the alcohol and bartenders ahead of time , the staff typically won ’ t receive many tips at all , even with a tip jar . Also if it is a cash bar and your guests are paying for the alcohol , still give the bartenders 10 % or more of the total .
Misty Again , check your contract with your vendor . Some companies will include gratuity on their invoice . Otherwise tip 18-22 %. Note it is totally up to you if you want the bartender to put out a tip jar or not .
Jenna Yes , yes , yes ! 15-20 % for every single musician . If it ' s an entire band , give them 15-20 % of the overall bill to be split among themselves .
Misty Yes ! For your ceremony musicians , $ 25-35 each . If you have a live band for the reception , $ 25-50 each . If you have a DJ , this tip is based purely off of the experience and usually tipped at the end of the evening , $ 50-200 .
Misty Yes ! We always recommend $ 100-200 , plus if there is a second photographer helping , $ 50-100 for the assistant .
Kayla Especially if your photographer is just starting out , 20 % of the invoice is appropriate .
Misty Florists are often forgotten since they come and set up earlier in the day . If you arrive at your venue and see that it has been transformed into something that is magically beautiful , then yes , $ 100-200 is appreciated .
Misty This tip is at the discretion of the client . Most often , it does happen . It is certainly not expected , but always appreciated . If you have a wedding planner that went above and beyond for you , then absolutely !
Kayla Event coordinators often do not expect a monetary tip , but a thank-you note , referral , Google review or social media post are so appreciated !
Jenna The most meaningful tip I ever received was recently I had been working with this couple for over a year . On the day of the wedding , the bride ’ s parents pulled me aside and told me how much they appreciated all that I had done for their daughter ’ s wedding and handed me a generous tip . Their kind words brought me to tears !
Misty Ask your venue if they plan on having staff on site throughout the day . Typically tip $ 25-50 per person .
Kayla If your wedding venue offers a cleaning crew , then yes , you should tip them . They often are there late at night , cleaning up your mess . $ 15 - 20 each or 20 % of the bill to be split among the crew should be fine .
PAGE 46 X METROPOLITAN WEDDINGS X WINTER / SPRING 2022

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Metropolitan Weddings First of all , thank you ladies for explaining the ins and outs of tipping . This can be such an awkward subject for many brides and grooms . We appreciate your insight . Let ’ s go down the list of various wedding vendors and get your thoughts !

MINISTER OR WEDDING OFFICIANT

Kayla This depends . If you attend their church , then yes , it should be a larger donation than if you just hired them to officiate your wedding . $ 100 is a good amount .

Jenna If they did your premarital counseling as well as officiated your ceremony , then a larger tip definitely . If they are affiliated with a church , then a donation to the church in their honor and a small personalized gift to the officiant is appropriate .

MAKEUP & HAIR STYLIST OR BARBER

Jenna Tip a little more than normal . 10-15 % is standard if you were at their salon , but this is your wedding day and 20 % is appropriate .

Kayla 20-25 %. If each bridesmaid is paying for her own hair and makeup , they would tip individually . However if the bride is paying for everyone , then she should tip 20-25 % of the total bill .

CATERER AND STAFF

Misty This is really important to note when looking at the banquet event order – there is a difference between service charge and gratuity . If it is not clear on your bill , be sure to ask . Some caterers will add 18-22 % gratuity . If it is not already included , definitely tip the same percentage of your overall food cost . The cost of a server is not a gratuity – every vendor is different , so do not hesitate to ask .

Jenna Sometimes caterers will charge gratuity ahead of time , which makes it easier . If not , be prepared to tip 10-15 % of the total food cost . Because it is a more expensive service , 20 % can be a lot . But if you are just picking up products , like the food or cake , you do not have to tip . If they are offering a service , like delivering the food , preparing it , serving the food as well as bussing tables , definitely be prepared to tip the staff .

BARTENDER

Jenna Some bar packages already include gratuity . If you are having an open bar and you ’ ve paid for the alcohol and bartenders ahead of time , the staff typically won ’ t receive many tips at all , even with a tip jar . Also if it is a cash bar and your guests are paying for the alcohol , still give the bartenders 10 % or more of the total .

Misty Again , check your contract with your vendor . Some companies will include gratuity on their invoice . Otherwise tip 18-22 %. Note it is totally up to you if you want the bartender to put out a tip jar or not .

MUSICIANS OR DJ

Jenna Yes , yes , yes ! 15-20 % for every single musician . If it ' s an entire band , give them 15-20 % of the overall bill to be split among themselves .

Misty Yes ! For your ceremony musicians , $ 25-35 each . If you have a live band for the reception , $ 25-50 each . If you have a DJ , this tip is based purely off of the experience and usually tipped at the end of the evening , $ 50-200 .

PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER

Misty Yes ! We always recommend $ 100-200 , plus if there is a second photographer helping , $ 50-100 for the assistant .

Kayla Especially if your photographer is just starting out , 20 % of the invoice is appropriate .

FLORIST

Misty Florists are often forgotten since they come and set up earlier in the day . If you arrive at your venue and see that it has been transformed into something that is magically beautiful , then yes , $ 100-200 is appreciated .

WEDDING COORDINATOR

Misty This tip is at the discretion of the client . Most often , it does happen . It is certainly not expected , but always appreciated . If you have a wedding planner that went above and beyond for you , then absolutely !

Kayla Event coordinators often do not expect a monetary tip , but a thank-you note , referral , Google review or social media post are so appreciated !

Jenna The most meaningful tip I ever received was recently I had been working with this couple for over a year . On the day of the wedding , the bride ’ s parents pulled me aside and told me how much they appreciated all that I had done for their daughter ’ s wedding and handed me a generous tip . Their kind words brought me to tears !

VENUE CLEAN-UP CREW

Misty Ask your venue if they plan on having staff on site throughout the day . Typically tip $ 25-50 per person .

Kayla If your wedding venue offers a cleaning crew , then yes , you should tip them . They often are there late at night , cleaning up your mess . $ 15 - 20 each or 20 % of the bill to be split among the crew should be fine .