Tipping Tips for Brides-to-Be
A good wedding is never a one-person effort. Instead, it requires work from multiple people, such as photographers, caterers, florists, and more. And, because many of these individuals work in the service industry, many of them are accustomed to being tipped. In fact, failing to tip the right people in the right amounts can get you labeled as “rude” or “inconsiderate.” To avoid these pitfalls, just follow this handy tipping guide.
Tipping Your Wedding Officiant
No wedding would be complete (or legal) without an officiant. This is the person who actually conducts your wedding and who leads the vow exchange, and, more often than not, they’re going to expect a tip. How much to tip depends on the officiant and their exact role. Religious figures, for example, may prefer a donation to their church instead of a cash tip, while hired professionals generally appreciate a tip of at least $50 or so. Do bear in mind, though, that some officiants, such as civil officiants, may not be legally able to accept tips. For best results, determine what type of wedding officiant you have and then look up the going tip rate for that type of individual.
Tipping Hired Vendors
Outside of your wedding officiant, you will likely rely on several hired vendors to make your big day a success. In general, you can tip these professionals what you think is fair and deserved. Realize, though, that some vendors may have an included gratuity written into their contracts. So, read the fine print to avoid double-tipping . . . unless you just really love the vendor and want to say an extra thanks with your wallet.
Tipping Your Photographer
Your wedding photographer helps you create amazing memories of your big day, and they deserve to be thanked. Of course, if they own their own business, you don’t have to say “thanks” with a tip. But, if they’re working under someone else or you just want to show your gratitude, a small tip of around 5% or more is usually more than appreciated.
At the end of the day, tipping is just an extra way to say “thank you” and is never strictly required. It can be a nice thing to do though. When in doubt, it’s always nice to give a little something and to give within the local standards. Tipping standards in Maui, for example, might be different than tipping standards in your hometown, so always educate yourself on the average tip rate in the area you’re in to avoid committing an unintentional faux pas.
