May 3
Tips on Tipping
It’s the morning of another event Saturday. Early this morning I received a text from my client asking how much she should tip the caterer.
This is a very common question… who should I tip and how much? This is a very subjective question. I know how hard wedding vendors work to ensure a smooth and happy wedding day. I always suggest tipping, particularly if you feel that you received extraordinary service.
Who should you tip? Potentially everyone — Catering managers, servers, banquet captains, bartenders, the bellmen, photographers, videographers, floral designers, wedding planners, entertainers, everyone who works on the event.
How much? That is largely dictated by budget. Even a small tip is appreciated. It shows that you recognize a job well done and an extraordinary effort. I have seen tips of $20.00 to more than $1000.00.
My feeling is that the most important part of the tip is the thank you note. Take time to write a little note to each vendor you know personally to thank them for a job well done.
I’m going to share one of my little secrets with you… I like to give out tips prior to the wedding taking place. Before the reception begins, usually during setup, I take my clients’ tips and thank you notes and hand them out to each vendor privately and tell the vendor that this is a gift from the family in anticipation of a beautiful wedding day. I find that this makes the vendors even more eager to please. I have never had an instance where the family regretted the tip later. If you don’t have a wedding planner to do this, give the job to the best man. Traditionally, it was his duty to hand out gratuities.
So, when it comes to your wedding vendors, think generously… Not just with money, but with praise and thanks. It will go along way to making a spectacular wedding celebration.
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Seems that tipping is hard on most, but at a wedding I can only imagine. What a great idea handing out the tips/thank you to the vendors. Thank you !
Most catering companies already charge 17-20% gratuity. Same for bartending services. A fee is usually already included in your price. Gratuity for those services will be spelled out in your contracts.
As a server/bartender myself, sometimes that extra note of thanks means a lot more than a few extra dollars.
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your comments. I have found the same thing with some catering companies and all hotels. Here in Orlando the average built-in gratuity is 22 percent. Many servers, particularly at catering companies, have told me that the gratuity is split between the company and the servers. Regardless, I think a small token is a nice gesture, particularly when accompanied by a heart-felt thank you note.
Hi, from a caterer’s viewpoint, I strongly believe the bride and groom have many budget restraits. My company charges for bartenders and adds a 18% service charge. Lots of weddings one of the guests will start a tip jar and my staff knows it gets share among all whom worked. The staff is great at knowing weddings are straight pay and not to expect any additional.
Hi Doris, I agree that a gratuity is never to be expected, but if a couple is able to give one, even if it is small, it is appreciated. I think that the thank you note is an inexpensive gesture that every couple can afford to do and it does wonders for morale.