Gratuities

[sap483]

So I need to budget for gratuities to be given the day of our wedding. The gratuities for wait staff, etc are included in our package with the venue. I''m not sure if the gratuity for valet parking and for the wedding coordinator are included. Who else gets a gratuity? Here is a list of our vendors each of which owns their own company (I don''t know if this makes a difference):
-Photographer
-Videographer
-DJ
-Florist
-Makeup Artist
-Hair Stylist
-Invitation Designer
-Lighting Technician

We don''t have transportation vendors b/c the cermony and reception are in the same place and our venue is an inn where we are staying the night.

So ladies, what should I budget for? Approximately what percent of the cost should I budget?

 

[enbcfsobe]

I haven''t finalized this yet, but this is a confusing area. I think that generally you do not tip someone who owns their own business (the idea being, I think, that they already set the prices for their services and pay themselves). That said, I think there are some services where tipping is expected even if you own the business. Mostly I just go on instinct. Given how expensive food is at our venue, I am not excited about tipping vendors that I am also feeding!! Oh, well. At the end of the day, I am not planning to tip a vendor if they don''t do what they were supposed to do.

I would think that you would tip the hairdresser and makeup artist similarly to how you would tip your hairdresser for a regular cut (ie whatever percentage you normally would give). I would not tip the invitation designer, though if you think she/he did a really good job a thank you note that she/he could use as a testimonal would probably be appreciated. I think that goes for all vendors, though. Invitation design just doesn''t seem like a service you would tip for. The other ones I don''t know. I hope someone else chimes in, because I''m really confused on this issue as well.

 

[AceP]

I tipped the DJ ($100) and the photographer ($200). The photographer was exceptionally helpful in a number of ways, otherwise I wouldn't have given her that much. I tipped my usual 20% for hair and makeup, so $30 for the trial and $30 for the day of.

I did not tip the catering company above and beyond the 20% already included.

Hope that helps.

 

[staceybelle]

I''m planning on tipping the DJ, the makeup artist, and the hairdresser. I may tip the photographer, but I''ve read that it''s not really necessary, and if I do it''ll be a fairly small amount (like enough to cover his costs from driving around all day or something to that effect).

I don''t think it''s necessary to tip the florist, unless they do something extraordinary for you, because I view my transaction with them more as buying a product than a paying for a service.

I don''t know about the invitation designer or the lighting technician, though. That''s sort of outside my frame of reference. I wouldn''t be inclined to tip the invitation designer because they''re providing a product, like the florist does, but that''s just my feeling.

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 3/26/2008 4:37:43 PM
Author: staceybelle
I''m planning on tipping the DJ, the makeup artist, and the hairdresser. I may tip the photographer, but I''ve read that it''s not really necessary, and if I do it''ll be a fairly small amount (like enough to cover his costs from driving around all day or something to that effect).

I don''t think it''s necessary to tip the florist, unless they do something extraordinary for you, because I view my transaction with them more as buying a product than a paying for a service.

I don''t know about the invitation designer or the lighting technician, though. That''s sort of outside my frame of reference. I wouldn''t be inclined to tip the invitation designer because they''re providing a product, like the florist does, but that''s just my feeling.

My parents handled the invitations but I don''t believe they tipped our invitation designer. As you said, to me it''s more a product than a service, so I don''t think a tip is necessary. I think I''ll tip the hair dresser and nail tech., and I''ll probably tip the DJ too. I hadn''t thought of tipping the photographer, but since she''s driving over an hour to get to the venue, we''ll tip enough to cover her travel expenses.

 

[gtn]

That is a good question. What do you tip a friend/family member who is providing a service gratis? One of my bm''s does hair and I am hoping she can help with doing the other bm''s hair (she did that at the last wedding we were in)...

 

[goldenstar]

Date: 3/26/2008 6:06:24 PM
Author: gtn
That is a good question. What do you tip a friend/family member who is providing a service gratis? One of my bm''s does hair and I am hoping she can help with doing the other bm''s hair (she did that at the last wedding we were in)...

I would give something like a spa or restaurant gift certificate, a really nice gift basket, or a piece of jewelry along the lines of Tiffany silver. That way its more like a gift than a payment or tip. Or you can pay for her hotel stay if one is required.

 

[sap483]

I''m planning to tip the hair stylist and the makeup artist what I would had I gone into their salon. Plus since they''re coming at the beginning, I won''t be feeding them. The florist/photographer/videographer I''m not sure about. I will be feeding them, and their prices are already very high for the area. It seems like I don''t need to tip them unless they do a really amazing job? The DJ, I''m paying a premium for to cover his travel costs (hes the furthest away) and he charges an additional premium b/c its a holiday. I think it''s customary to tip him though even if I am paying a premium and he owns the business, right? I dont think I need to tip the invitation designer or the lighting tech.