WEDDING TIPPING GUIDE
Tipping at weddings can feel confusing—who, how much, and when isn’t always obvious. Because weddings are a service industry, gratuities are a kind and customary way to thank the people who help bring your day to life. Since tips are taxed differently from income, cash is best. If you provide envelopes labeled with each vendor’s name, we’ll happily distribute them on the wedding day—we’ll collect them from you or your family the morning of the event.
A quick note: the amounts below are guidelines, not rules. Tipping should always reflect your budget and the experience your vendors provided.
OFFICIANT +
HOUSE OF WORSHIP
OFFICIANT
If you hire a professional officiant, we recommend tipping $150–250. If a family member or friend is marrying you, a thoughtful gift and thank-you card are more appropriate.
HOUSE OF WORSHIP
If you’re holding your ceremony at a house of worship, they will typically ask you to make a donation in lieu of a cash tip to their pastor or rabbi. The most common donation we see is between $200–500, but you can always ask your contact what they recommend. We also suggest writing a thank-you letter to the pastor and to your church or temple coordinators.
Food & Beverage Venues
CATERING & VENUE MANAGER
Tipping this vendor isn’t expected, but if you’d like to, we suggest $150–300. A thank-you card or small gift is also a lovely way to show your gratitude.
CATERING + BAR COMPANY
There is most often a gratuity line on your final invoice. If there isn’t one, a tip isn’t expected or required. When clients do tip, we often see 15% of the food and/or beverage costs.
Photographers and videographers
Tipping your photo and video teams is recommended these days—whether or not they own the business. Plan to tip owners or lead photographers and videographers around 5% of your package price.
Hair & Makeup stylists
Like at the salon, this tip is expected—so build it into your day-of plan. We recommend 20% of the service, given on the wedding day.
Entertainment
It’s encouraged to tip your ceremony, cocktail, and reception musicians or DJs. Around $100–200 per musician is appropriate. If you’re working with a band, don’t forget the sound tech and band manager! For a DJ, we recommend $100–200, or 5% of their service fee.
TransporTation
Many companies include gratuity for their drivers in their quotes. If yours doesn’t, we recommend tipping drivers 10–15% of the service fee. For drivers dedicated to the couple, we suggest 20%, as they go above and beyond to take care of you throughout the day.
PINCH ME TEAM
Tipping the Pinch Me Planning team is always optional, but it's a gesture we truly appreciate. When clients do choose to tip, we typically see a percentage of the overall package, which is shared among our team. A review on Google is another wonderful way to show your gratitude—both mean the world to us!
DESIGN VENDORS
FLORIST, LIGHTING, STATIONERS, ETC.
For vendors who don’t work the evening of the wedding, cash tips aren’t expected. That said, if someone has gone above and beyond, it’s always courteous to tip. Most commonly, we see $200–300 given to the specific contact who assisted at each design company. A thank-you card or small gift after the wedding is also a typical and thoughtful alternative.
ONE LAST SUGGESTION
A thoughtful thank-you note or a Google review after the wedding goes a long way. As any wedding professional will tell you—it truly means the world to us.