Tipping in the Wedding Industry
You’ve likely heard the saying, “If you can’t afford to tip, don’t go out to eat.” Seems fair enough, especially when servers rely on tips to supplement their income. But lately, it feels like tipping is expected almost everywhere — whether you’re grabbing a coffee or checking out at a boutique.
Personally? I don’t always agree with the automatic expectation. For me, tipping is more than just protocol — it’s a compliment for a job well done.
But what about tipping in the wedding and event world?
💡 What Vendors Say About Tipping
Unlike a $5 tip on a $25 dinner, we’re talking much bigger numbers in this industry — often leading couples to wonder: what’s appropriate?
I reached out to photographers, videographers, DJs, caterers, florists, hair stylists, and makeup artists to get their take. The overall consensus?
Tipping is always appreciated, but rarely expected.
💰 How Much Do People Actually Tip?
In my (very informal) research, most vendors said they’re typically tipped a flat amount — often between $50–$100 per vendor. It wasn’t based on percentages, which makes sense for couples with tight budgets, especially in areas like Northeast Iowa.
Only a few vendors I talked to said they’d ever received a percentage-based tip — aside from caterers, who are most likely to see that standard 15–20%.
Real-life tipping examples vendors shared:
15–20% of the total bill
5–10% of the total bill
$200–$300 total
$50–$100 per vendor
$15–$75 gift cards (coffee, gas, local shops)
$0.50 per guest
$20–$40 per team member helping out (e.g., catering crew)
🤍 Not All Tips Are Cash
Let’s be honest — money isn’t always in the cards. But that doesn’t mean your appreciation goes unnoticed.
“If people ask, I always say they can tip me by writing a review about their experience.”
YES. THIS.
A thank-you note, a 5-star review, and kind words go a long way. And if you want to go a little further? Most vendors would never turn down a coffee gift card 😉
📊 Who Gets Tipped Most?
When I polled vendors about tipping frequency, here’s what came up most often:
🧑🍳 Caterers
💄 Hair & Makeup Artists
🎧 DJs
🌸 Florists
📹 Photographers & Videographers
👗 Attire vendors
When polled - caterers, hair stylist and makeup artist vendors were tipped most often. Roughly 75% (or more) of the time these vendors were tipped. Whereas the least tipped vendors were DJs, florist, videographers and attire (such as dress & tuxedo) vendors. Again, there’s no “rule” here — it all depends on how involved your vendor is and how much they go above and beyond.
💳 How to Tip (Without Making it Weird)
If you’ve worked in retail or food service, you know: cash is king. Same goes for weddings. Many vendors said they actually discourage tipping through card readers or online forms — it can feel awkward and transactional.
“When sending electronic invoices, there’s a default tip setting I’ve removed. It just doesn’t feel right.”
Wedding vendors are personal. That’s kind of the whole point — we’re not just here for the transaction. We’re here for your moment.
Also? Cash helps avoid processing fees, which can cut into a small business owner’s income. One photographer told me:
“Getting paid in cash almost feels like a tip in itself. If couples ask about payment preference, it’s the cherry on top.”
So whether you tip through:
Cash envelopes
Venmo
Final payments
A card with a sweet note
…just know it’s never required, but always appreciated.
🕐 When Should You Tip?
Most couples assume tips are given after the service — but that’s not always the case.
Here’s what one vendor shared:
Around half of their tips came in an envelope during the event
The rest were split between Venmo, added to the final payment, or sent afterward
As a day-of coordinator, I often handle vendor tips for my couples — but it can also come from the couple, a parent, or anyone else involved.
Giving tips after the event allows you to assess how things actually went. But tipping ahead of time ensures it’s handled and off your plate. There’s no wrong way — just choose what feels right for you.
✅ Quick Tipping Options Recap:
No tipping. It’s your call — go off the service you received.
Flat rate. Tip vendors the same amount (e.g., $50–$100 each).
Something personal. Handwritten card, review, gift card — meaningful and appreciated.
Percentage-based. Standard 15–20% works for some budgets and services.
“As far as tipping, it is never expected but always appreciated. I’ve been tipped $0 and I’ve been tipped over $100 — it’s whatever the client feels is appropriate.”
So... does this help? Or make tipping even more confusing? 😅
If you’re still unsure, just ask your vendors. We’re real people — and we’ll be honest with you. Promise.