Still, confused about how to tip your Los Angeles wedding pros? We got you covered! Here is a wedding tipping guide to help make the process of tipping your Los Angeles wedding vendors a breeze:
HAIR AND MAKEUP PROS: TIP REQUIRED
Your hair and makeup pros work hard to ensure that you and your crew look their best—so knowing how much to tip these Los Angeles wedding vendors is essential! Hair and makeup pros should receive 15 to 20 percent of their fee.
CATERER: TIP REQUIRED (IF NOT ALREADY INCLUDED IN SERVICE FEE)
If you’re wondering about tipping wedding vendors, your caterer will likely be at the top of the list since food will be an essential part of your wedding. Usually, a caterer’s tip is included in their service fee, but if not, plan to tip 15 to 20 percent of the food bill.
WAIT STAFF: TIP REQUIRED
The servers at your wedding will ensure that your guests receive their meals promptly and efficiently. Each server should receive about $20 or more depending on how happy you were with their job.
BARTENDERS: TIP REQUIRED
They are your guests’ best friends by the end of the night. How much do you tip these Los Angeles wedding pros? Each bartender should receive 10 to 15 percent of the total bar tab.
WEDDING PLANNER: TIP OPTIONAL
Your Los Angeles wedding planner may not expect a tip, but a 10 to 20 percent gratuity is undoubtedly appreciated if you feel yours went above and beyond. If your planner had an assistant or assistant on hand at your event, we do recommend tipping them $50 to $100 each.
PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER: TIP RECOMMENDED (ESPECIALLY IF PRO IS PART OF A LARGER COMPANY)
If a photographer or videographer owns their business, no tip is necessary. If that’s not the case and your photographer or videographer works for a larger company, tipping these Los Angeles wedding vendors $100 to $200 is a nice gesture.
OFFICIANT: TIP RECOMMENDED
Whether your officiant is affiliated with a house of worship (church, synagogue, etc.) will determine your tipping of these wedding vendors. If your officiant is affiliated with a place of prayer, give an additional donation of $100 to $300 to their institution. For a civil officiant, you may tip them $50 to $100.
LIVE MUSICIANS AND WEDDING BAND MEMBERS: TIP REQUIRED
If you’ve hired live musicians to perform at some point during your Los Angeles wedding, each player should be tipped $25 to $50.
WEDDING DJ: TIP REQUIRED
Your Los Angeles wedding DJ not only plays music but often serves as the emcee, which is one of the most critical roles of the evening. When deciding how much to tip your Los Angeles wedding DJ, the rule is that they should receive 10 to 15 percent of the total bill.
ATTIRE ALTERATIONS: TIP RECOMMENDED
Tipping these Los Angeles wedding vendors is usually optional if you’re working with a seamstress, tailor, or another attire fitter for your wedding dress or suit. However, if you feel that your fitter went above and beyond and their place of business allows tipping, you may give between $20 and $40 for a well-done job.
TRANSPORTATION: TIP RECOMMENDED (IF NOT ALREADY INCLUDED IN FEE)
Couples may hire a transportation company to shuttle themselves, their family members, and guests. Often, the gratuity is included in their fee, but if not, tipping these wedding vendors 15 to 20 percent is appropriate.
DELIVERY STAFF: TIP REQUIRED
It’s important to show appreciation to those who transport essential wedding-related items to your venue; it’s a hard job. Those who deliver floral arrangements, rentals, cake, etc., give $5 to $20 per person.
OTHER ATTENDANTS: TIP REQUIRED
Remember those assisting your guests when thinking about who to tip at your Los Angeles wedding. For restroom and coat room attendants, give $1 to $2 per guest. For example, if you’re hosting 100 guests, your restroom and coat room attendants should receive $100 each.
PARKING ATTENDANTS: TIP REQUIRED
When tipping the parking attendants at your Los Angeles wedding venue, estimate how many cars you’re expecting (probably about half the number of guests), and tip the attendants $1 to $2 per car. Guests should not be permitted to give cash tips to parking attendants since you’ll be covering the gratuity.
FLORIST AND CAKE BAKER: TIPS NOT EXPECTED
Your florist and cake baker do not expect, nor do they require, tips. However, as mentioned, the delivery people who deliver and set up your cake and flower arrangements should be tipped.
DESTINATION WEDDING VENDORS: ASK ABOUT TIPPING FIRST
If you’re hosting a destination wedding in a foreign country, know that tipping customs may differ. In most countries, you should try to make an effort to tip in the local currency whenever possible to make things easier for your vendors. Be sure to talk to your venue coordinator or planner to ensure you’re following proper local traditions regarding tipping.
ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO THANK YOUR WEDDING VENDORS?
Write them a review on a site like Google or Yelp. Reviews help them get hired by other couples like yourselves so that they can be just as valuable as the tip itself.
