WHO DO I TIP: WEDDING EDITION

As a Wedding Planner, I often get asked by clients who in their vendor list should receive tips. The question is a reasonable one. In fact, that my clients understand that tipping their vendors -- while not a requirement -- should be a major consideration, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Here is the short answer: Anyone, and I mean ANYONE who has provided a SERVICE with regards to your wedding should be tipped, if you are HAPPY with the service provided.

It doesn't matter if the service was for an hour or for a year, nor does it matter if you paid a discounted rate or an exhuberant fee. (Would you not tip your waiter at a fancy restaurant just because you already paid for a fancy meal?)  Bottom line is that if your Wedding Professional provided a service and you're thrilled with the outcome, TIP.

Now, unlike many other blogs, articles and web sites out there, I'm not going to sit here and lay out monetary suggestions, percentages or materialistic ideas. Yes, when it comes to things like monetary tips, there may be amounts to which many of us are accustomed. But those amounts are not mandetory, they're suggestions.  In my humble opinion, whatever you can afford as a tip for your wedding professional is acceptable, and again, at your discretion. After all, tipping is a way to show your appreciation for a job well done.

If you tip your Wedding Professionals, they know that you were happy with their service and truly appreciate all their hard work. If you don't, no matter how much praise you heap upon them, they'll likely spend many sleepless nights wondering what the heck they could have done wrong to make you not appreciate their efforts (and they likely will, because hey, no Wedding Professional is going to call you up and say "Hey, so I noticed that you didn't give me a tip...")

Now understandably, if your Wedding Professional, such as your venue or caterer for example, has Gratuity already incorporated into the contract, you don't have to provide an additional tip. And obviously, if you're NOT happy with the service, tipping would be out of the question (which is why you typically offer tips after the service has been rendered). But if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands and tip your vendors.

OK, OK, for those of you who really want a list of Wedding Professionals that should be considered for tipping, here is a rough idea, in no particular order:

Food/Beverage Professionals (IF gratuity is not already included in the contract)
-- this includes Catering/Banquet Managers, Servers and Bartenders

Any Venue Attendants
-- including Valet, Coat Room and Bathroom

Wedding Planner

Florist/Floral Designer

Decorator

Photographer

Videographer

Entertainment -- including ceremony musicians/singers, cocktail hour musicians/singers, DJ, Band, special performers, etc

Cake Designer

Stationary Designers (IF your stationary was custom designed)

Transportation
 -- limos, limo buses, taxi cabs, corporate cards, exotic cars, etc. 

Hair & Make-up

Officiant/ Minister/Clergy Member/Church (for Church's tips are normally in the form of a donation)