Wedding Tipping Etiquette: Who and How Much

Tipping is an important part of wedding budgeting. Before the wedding, review your contracts. Some vendors include gratuity in their fees, while others leave it to your discretion. For those who do not include it, here are standard guidelines. For catering staff and bartenders, tip 15 to 20 percent of the food and drink bill. For the head wedding planner, tip 10 to 15 percent of their fee, or a flat amount of $100 to $500 depending on the wedding size. For assistants, tip $50 to $100 each. For photographers and videographers, tip $50 to $200 each if they are business owners. For hair and makeup artists, tip 15 to 20 percent of their service fee. For musicians and DJs, tip $20 to $50 per performer. For officiants, tip $50 to $100. For delivery and setup staff, tip $5 to $10 per person. Prepare cash tips in labeled envelopes. Give them to a trusted person like your wedding planner or a family member to distribute at the end of the night.