Do I need to give tips to every vendor (officiant, DJ. photographer etc) at my wedding reception?

Answer 1

As a wedding vendor (I'm a makeup artist) I appreciate every tip I recieve, but I never expect one. It's a nice gesture to tip your vendors, but only if you want to. If you can't afford to tip, but appreicated their work, a detailed thank you note can go a long way as well as referrals.

If your vendors will be at your wedding or reception for more than 4 hours it is considerate to feed them. Your DJ, photographer, videographer, etc are all working hard to make sure your day is special. If you're having a plated dinner you don't have to serve them the same thing as your guests, but at least serve them something.

One thing that many people aren't aware of: Many officiants (who aren't with a church or are judges) only earn $100-200 per wedding because people aren't willing to pay more. Other vendors can raise their prices to keep with inflation, but ministers don't work if their fees go over $200. My friend is a minister who's done weddings for over 30 years. She's tried raising her prices, but people won't pay.

Answer 2

Any service providor can be given a tip and it is customary to give them one if they gave outstanding service. In many of the service industries, the fee covers the expenses of doing the job. Many times there are hours worth of preparation to do each wedding that are not seen by the bride and groom. The gratuities make it worth working the long hours to bring people's dreams to light.
First, before you worry about if to give the provider a tip, check your contracts. Many of the service personnel will have gratuities built into the price that you are paying to cover the hired staff. This will be listed in the breakdown of the services provided. If you do not want to have it built in, negotiate this with the vendor. Some will agree that if they provide exceptional service, you will have that amount in an envelope at the reception and they will remove it from the contract. If they will not budge on this, you have two choices. Go somewhere else or pay it.
The Officiant is paid with what is called an honorarium. Most of the time this is all that they get and in the case of a JP or judge, it is all that they CAN accept. Check your local jurisdiction.
It is always best, if you are going to give gratuities, to have them in separate envelopes, separate from any final payments and have either your wedding coordinator, or a responsible friend that you trust give them to the vendors as they finish for the night. Gratuities should be the last thing you should be worried about on your wedding day.
Ask your vendors, (DJ and bartender especially) not to have a tip jar out for the guests to put tips in. It is rude to expect a guest to bring money to a wedding.
Relax. If you (or your wedding coordinator) does the homework before the wedding, it should go seamlessly and you will want to give your vendors a tip. They are making your wedding day special.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

No- unless they did an above average job. Tip people such as the limo driver or the bartender, but not the vendors. For them I would suggest offering them a meal, since many will have been there the entire time.

At our wedding, our officiant, our photographer and our DJ will have plates to eat so they dont get famished while working our wedding.

anyone else has it added into the price of your package and doesnt expect anything else- usually just using you as a good reference for future couples works.

Answer 4

You shouldn't if you have a legit problem that was under their control. You should definitely if they have gone above and beyond. It is the middle ground that is hard.

Sometimes, the best Thank You is a great recommendation. If you were pleased with their service, write a letter detailing there service and your pleasure they can show future clients and include something like $5 - $10 gift card to Starbucks. It will show your appreciation without breaking your bank for each person.

Answer 5

You should only tip those that go beyond the basics of the service they contracted to do. For example, if the caterer prepares a special dish with no advance notice to accommodate someone's diet restriction then you should reward them with a tip. Otherwise, you're already paying them for the basic service.

Answer 6

if you are satisfied with what they did for your wedding and they are not the owner of the company is is a better idea to tip them

Answer 7

No NO NO... they charge you for their service...what is with everyone thinking they need to tiped these days...they are already going to charge you an arm and a leg.