The honest version: who expects a tip, who doesn't, and roughly what to put in each envelope.
Tipping is the line item almost everyone forgets until the final week, and then panics about. It's rarely huge — most couples set aside 2–4% of the total budget — but it's awkward precisely because nobody tells you the rules.
Here's the short version: service staff are usually tipped, business owners usually aren't required to be, and a good chunk of it may already be in your contract. Check the contracts first.
Read your catering contract before you budget a cent for tips. Most caterers and venues already add an 18–22% service charge. If that's there, an additional tip is genuinely not expected — and assuming otherwise can quietly cost you several hundred dollars.
Starting amounts are mid-range customary figures, not rules. Adjust freely — nothing here is saved or sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Customary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Catering & bar staff | 15–20% | Often already a service charge — check first |
| Hair & makeup | 15–20% | Same as any salon visit |
| Delivery & setup crew | $5–20 each | Flowers, rentals, cake drop-off |
| Transportation drivers | 15–20% | Check if gratuity is in the contract |
| Coat check / restroom attendant | $1–2 per guest | Only if not already covered |
| Vendor | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photographer / videographer | $50–200 each | Not expected if they own the business |
| DJ | $50–150 | |
| Band members | $25–50 each | Adds up fast with a large band |
| Wedding planner / coordinator | $100–500 | Or a thoughtful gift |
| Officiant | $50–100 | Often a donation if it's a house of worship |
| Ceremony musicians | $25–50 each |
Looking to trim elsewhere too? Read how to save money on a wedding without it showing.
Prepare labelled envelopes in advance and give the stack to one trusted person — the best man, a parent, or your coordinator. You will not want to be managing envelopes on the day.
Tip anyone who leaves early before they go. The photographer, officiant and ceremony musicians are often gone long before the reception ends, and chasing them afterwards is nobody's idea of a good time.
Add a "Tips & gratuities" line to your budget now, while there's still room for it.
Open the free budget planner →No. It's customary for service staff whose gratuity isn't already contracted, and genuinely optional for owners. Nobody will think less of you for skipping a tip to someone who set their own price.
Roughly 2–4% of your total budget — about $600–$1,200 on a $30,000 wedding. Set it aside early rather than finding it in the last week.
Cash, in labelled envelopes. It's immediate, it's clean, and most vendors prefer it.
Figures are typical U.S. customary ranges and vary by region and vendor. Your contracts always override this page — read them first.