How Much Should You Tip Wedding Vendors?
Most wedding vendors who work on the day itself are customarily tipped, usually in cash handed over at the end of their work. Common guidelines are 15 to 20 percent for catering staff if gratuity isn't already included, a set amount per person for musicians and delivery crews, and a thank-you gift or tip for the vendors who went above and beyond. Before tipping anyone, read your contracts. Many caterers and venues already include a gratuity, and you shouldn't pay it twice.
Read the contract first
This is the one I see families miss most often. A "service charge" on a catering or venue contract is not always a gratuity. Sometimes it goes to the business, not the staff. Ask plainly: "Is gratuity for the staff included, and if not, what's customary?" A good vendor will give you a straight answer.
Common tipping guidelines
These are typical ranges, not rules. Tip more for exceptional service and less if gratuity is already built in.
Vendor Common guideline Catering and wait staff 15–20% of the food and drink bill, if not already included Bartenders 10–15% of the bar bill, or a set amount each, if not included Wedding planner or day-of coordinator Often a cash tip or a heartfelt gift, especially for owner-run businesses Hair and makeup 15–25%, as you would at a salon Band or DJ A set amount per musician, or for the DJ Photographer and videographer Optional; often tipped if they're not the business owner Officiant Often a donation to their place of worship, or a small cash tip if not already paid Delivery and setup crews A small cash amount per person Drivers 15–20%, if not already included
How to make it easy on the day
Prepare envelopes ahead of time. Label each one with the vendor's name and put cash inside.
Give them to one trusted person (a coordinator, a sibling or a close friend) to hand out at the end of the evening, so you're not thinking about it during your own child's wedding.
Remember that a kind review is a gift too. For small businesses, a written review and a few photos can mean as much as a tip.
The Wedding Vendor Tipping Calculator in The Wedding Planning System lists every vendor, works out the amounts and keeps track of who has been taken care of.
