Wedding Planning 'Tips'
When planning for a wedding it is important to properly budget. One item that can easily be overlooked when planning your wedding is tips for your wedding vendors. There are going to be many people involved in making your wedding day a success. Considering the average size and cost of a wedding, the tip amounts can add up. While tipping is entirely optional it is important to anticipate who to tip and what your tipping amounts may be. Here is a rough guide.
Hairstylist/Makeup Artist- 15-20% for good service
Officiant-Offer a Donation to their organization of a minimum of $75
Wedding Planner-10% for exemplary service
Wait Staff-15-20% of the catering cost
DJ-15% of their fee
Limousine driver-15% of transportation costs.
Musicians-$25 per band member
Bartenders-10% of the liquor bill.
Attendants-$1-2 per coat or car parked.
The above list is a guideline. If there is someone you feel has gone above and beyond to make your wedding day special go ahead and recognize it by providing a tip. Make sure you know if a tip or service charge is already included. Read the fine print on contracts.
For your wedding day assign someone to be in charge of handling the tips. It may be your Best Man. Make sure to have envelopes ready for the vendors ahead of time. And don't forget to send Thank You notes to vendors if they do a good job. Most importantly, make room in your wedding budget for tips. Being prepared for all the costs of your wedding will help make your day go as smooth as possible.
