How to Tip Your Wedding Vendors (Without Guessing or Stressing)

Let me tell you something that threw me off when I first started learning about weddings in the U.S

Tipping vendors.

Not because we don’t tip where I’m from (Nigeria), but because it’s... different.

Back home, tipping is there — it’s just more low-key.

A soft thank-you handshake.

A little something slipped into a pocket.

Quiet.

Simple.

No envelopes, no spreadsheets, no drama.

So imagine my surprise when I found out that in the U.S., tipping your wedding vendors is practically a whole event of its own.

There's etiquette.

There's math.

There are envelopes with names on them.

It’s a lot.

So if you’re feeling confused about who to tip, how much to give, and when to hand it over — breathe. You're not the only one.

And I got you.

Let’s break it all down, together.

First: Do You Have to Tip?

The honest answer? Not always.

Tipping isn’t required for every vendor — but in most cases, it’s still expected (especially for service-based roles).

It’s a way of saying:

Thank you for showing up for me. Thank you for making this day better.

Thank you for dealing with my aunties.

And if a vendor went above and beyond for you?

A tip is a beautiful gesture of gratitude.

But also? I know wedding budgets are tight.

So don’t panic if you can’t tip everyone.

Focus on the people who had their sleeves rolled up making your day run smoother, and tip what feels respectful and doable for your budget.

Who to Tip — and How Much

Let’s go vendor by vendor

1. Wedding Planner

Tip? Optional but appreciated (especially if they went above and beyond).

How much? $100–$500, or a thoughtful gift + glowing review.

When? After the wedding — you can give it directly or mail it with a thank-you note.

P.S:

If they saved your sanity 57 times, helped wrangle your entire family, or kept your wedding from going off the rails… consider tipping generously if you can.

2. Hair and Makeup Artists

Tip? Yes.

This is standard — just like tipping at a salon.

How much? 15–25% of their total service.

When? At the end of their service, before they pack up.

Side note: If they’re working with your whole bridal party, bring envelopes labeled for each stylist ahead of time to make things smooth.

3. Photographer + Videographer

Tip? Optional, but very appreciated.

How much? $100–$200 per lead shooter. $50–$100 for second shooters.

When? At the end of the night, or after receiving your photos/video (especially if you loved them).

Bonus: A glowing testimonial or online review will also mean the world to them — seriously.

4. DJ or Band

Tip? Yes — especially if they kept the party alive

How much?

DJ: $50–$150

Band: $20–$50 per musician

When? End of the night.

5. Catering Staff (Servers, Bartenders, Chef)

Tip? Usually yes — unless gratuity is already included in your contract (make sure you double-check).

How much?

Catering: 15–20% of the total food & beverage bill, usually split among the staff.

Bartenders: $25–$50 each if not already tipped via a tip jar.

When? End of service — you can give the envelope to the catering manager.

6. Transportation (Shuttle, Limo, Car Service)

Tip? Yes.

How much? 15–20% of the total cost — check your contract to see if it's already included.

When? End of the ride/service.

7. Officiant

Tip? Depends.

If it’s a friend/family member officiating:

Consider a thank-you gift or donation to their favorite charity.

If it’s a religious officiant:

A donation to the church/mosque/synagogue is common (usually $100–$500).

For professional officiants: $50–$100.

8. Delivery & Setup Staff (Florist, Rentals, Cake, etc.)

Tip? Optional but thoughtful.

How much? $10–$30 per person.

When? When they drop things off or finish setup — your day-of coordinator can help hand these out.

9. Day-Of Coordinator

Tip? Yes, if they’re not the same person as your full-service planner.

How much? $100–$250.

When? End of the night or next day.

How to Actually Hand Out Tips

Here's the easiest way:

1. Label envelopes ahead of time (name + role).

2. Put cash or checks inside — crisp bills if you can.

3. Give to your day-of coordinator or a trusted friend to hand out at the right moments.

4. Add a handwritten note if you want to make it more personal.

If You Can’t Tip Everyone…

That’s okay.

Don’t overextend yourself trying to meet every tipping standard.

A genuine thank-you and a positive review can be just as valuable to some vendors.

One last thing before you go—

Even with tipping figured out, planning a wedding can still feel like a lot.

And unless you’ve hired a full-service wedding planner (which, let’s be honest, not everyone has the budget for), you’re probably still the one managing most of the moving pieces.

Even If you’re using a day-of coordinator (which i do recommend you hire btw…especially if your not hiring a wedding planner), they usually come in 3-6 weeks before the wedding — which means the before stuff?

The budget, the guest list, the timelines, the never-ending vendor emails… that’s still on you.

And that is exactly why I created The Wedding Planning Bundle — so you don’t have to piece everything together from scratch or try to keep it all in your head.

It includes:

A digital planner to help you organize everything

A spreadsheet to track your wedding budget (with all the math done for you)

A guest list tracker that keeps invites, RSVPs, and meal choices in one place

It’s your behind-the-scenes system — so you can stay calm, on top of things, and not spiral every time someone asks, “Have you booked the DJ yet?”

And the best part? …

It's on sale right now ...normally it’s $62, but you can grab it right now for $37.

So If you’ve been trying to pull everything together on your own (and feeling a little scattered), this will seriously help.

{Grab it here while the offer still live}

You don’t have to do it all alone.

I made this to help.