 Quite often we get the question, how much should I tip my vendors? Honestly, tipping suggestions vary from person to person, and expert to expert. Based on our research, and years of event experience, here is what we recommend. Be sure to download our handy tipping sheet for future reference! My Big Day Guide to: Tipping Vendors and Weddings and Events Tips are never expected, but always appreciated. Tips are meant solely as an expression of appreciation for especially good service. Unless the service provided was less than satisfactory, it is customary to show your gratitude by tipping many of the people involved in making your event a success. My Big Day Tipping Tips: Check Your Contracts & Agreements Many gratuities are built into quotes for major items, such as, catering. This will appear as a ‘Service Fee,’ a ‘Service Charge,’ or any amount that is approximately 15 - 20% of the total contract. Read your contract carefully to avoid unnecessarily double-tipping. Don’t Tip the Venue /Owners If your photographer owns the studio, there’s no need to tip them. The same goes for bands not booked through an agency, the owner of a wedding venue, and the beauty-shop owner who does your hair. Reward Extraordinary Service Beyond the customary tips, when someone goes out of their way for you―the DJ digs up that old recording that will make your Grammy misty-eyed… the florist finds you that rare flower not in season… the event planner goes above and beyond adding little touches not contracted, etc… consider thanking them with a gift certificate, a bottle of wine, or another thoughtful token. Put Someone in Charge Assign someone you can rely on… one of the fathers, the best man, your super-organized maid of honor - to hand out envelopes with the non-contract tips in cash, either at the time of service (hair and makeup people), at the end of the wedding (which allows you to adjust the size of the tips to reflect the service), or at the beginning. Simple Tip Chart: Bartenders: 10 percent of the total liquor bill (to be split among them) Band or DJ: $20 - $25 per musician; $50 - $150 for DJs Photographer/videographer: If you’re paying a flat fee with no overtime, $100 Catering manager: $200+ or a personal gift Makeup artist: 15 to 20 percent Event/Wedding planner: 15 – 20 percent of fee Hairstylist: 15 to 20 percent Waiters: $20 and up each (distributed by the catering manager or maitre d’) Wedding Musicians: 15 percent of fee for ceremony musicians; $22 to $25 per musician for reception Delivery Staff: Cake, Flowers, Rentals, Etc. $5 to $10 per person Bathroom attendants: $1 to $2 per guest Chef: $100+ Coat check attendants: $1 to $2 per guest Hotel chambermaids: $2 to $5 per room; $10 to $15 if you used a suite as your dressing room Limo or bus drivers: 15 percent Valet or parking attendants: $1 to $2 per car; 15 percent for valet parking Maitre d’hotel or headwaiter: 1 to 3 percent of food and beverage fees 
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