The Golden Rules
Prepare all tips in labeled envelopes before the wedding day. Assign a trusted person (maid of honor, best man, wedding planner, or family member) to distribute them at the appropriate times. You should not be handling cash on your wedding day.
Who to Tip and How Much
Catering Staff
15-20%% of the food and beverage bill, distributed among the team. Check your contract first; many caterers include a service charge. If gratuity is already included, no additional tip is required (though $20-50 per server for exceptional service is a nice gesture).
Bartenders
10-15%% of the bar bill, or $25-50 per bartender. Again, check if included in the catering contract.
DJ or Band
$50-150 for a DJ. $25-50 per musician for a band. More if they went above and beyond or the dance floor was packed all night.
Photographer and Videographer
$50-200 each. Not always expected (especially for business owners), but appreciated for long days and exceptional work. A glowing online review is equally valued.
Florist
$50-100 for the delivery and setup team. Not expected for the business owner. More if the setup was complex or they handled a last-minute change gracefully.
Hair and Makeup
15-20%% of the service cost. This follows standard salon tipping etiquette.
Officiant
$50-100 for a professional officiant. $100-500 donation if a religious leader at their house of worship. If a friend, a thoughtful gift is appropriate.
Transportation Drivers
15-20%% of the transportation bill. Check if gratuity is included in the contract.
Calculate exact tip amounts for your vendors.
Open Vendor Tip Calculator →Who You Do Not Need to Tip
- Wedding planner — a thoughtful gift and referrals instead
- Venue coordinator — check venue policy; usually not tipped
- Stationer — not tipped
- Dress designer or bridal shop — not tipped
- Any vendor who owns their business — tip appreciated but not expected; a review or referral means more
When in doubt, tip. A generous tip to the people who make your wedding day run smoothly is always appreciated and rarely regretted. Budget 5-10%% of your total wedding cost for gratuities.