Tipping Tips: A Complete Gratuity Guide.
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The last thing you want to be doing on the day of your wedding is scrambling to figure out who and how much to tip. For starters, you’ll want to have factored tipping costs into your overall budget well in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. Secondly, you’ve got a lot of other things to think about that day, like having fun and enjoying your guests. You’ll find all the information you need to avoid wedding day tipping trauma listed below.
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CEREMONY:
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Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Justice of the Peace, Ship Captain, etc:
Tipping the person who marries you is a personal decision.Sometimes this individual will charge for his or her services. In that case, tipping 15-20% is fine to show extra appreciation. If a member of the clergy is marrying you and no fee is charged, it is appropriate to make a donation to whatever religious institution he or she is affiliated with.
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Note: The hosts (the person paying for the wedding – bride & groom) should pick up any travel, hotel, or other incremental costs for the ceremony officiant.
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Organist:
If you will be married in a church, tipping the organist should be done at your discretion.
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RECEPTION:
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Caterer, club or hotel banquet manager:
Tip 15-20% of the food and drink bill (just 10% of the bill is appropriate if there is also a maitre d’hotel). The reception host may be asked to pay the bill in advance. If gratuities are not covered the host or wedding consultant pays in an envelope during the reception.
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Photographer, makeup artist, hairdresser, videographer, etc:
It is not necessary to tip these vendors, as they are charging for their services. With that said, if you think these people did a fantastic job, and you want to show appreciation, feel free to tip whatever you want, especially if they work with an agency and will be paying the agency part of what you paid them.
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Maitre d’hotel:
Tip15-20% of the food and drink bill, or $1.50-$5.00 per guest. The reception host or wedding consultant pays the tip in an envelope near the end of the reception.
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Waiters, waitresses, table captains:
Wait staff is usually not tipped directly. The maitre d’ often divides his tip with the staff.
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Bartenders:
Tip 10% of the total liquor bill. The reception host or wedding consultant offers an envelope near the end of the reception
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Powder room and coatroom attendants:
Tip $.50-$1.00 per guest, or arrange a gratuity with the hotel or club management. The reception host or wedding consultant should pay in advance, so that the appropriate sign,"gratuities have been arranged by the host," can be displayed.
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Parking attendants:
Tip $.50-$1.00 per car, or arrange a gratuity with the hotel or club management. The reception host should pay in advance, so guests will not be expected to pay.
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Limousine driver(s):
Tip 15-20% of the total limousine bill. The host or wedding consultant tips the driver(s) at the reception site.
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Delivery drivers for florist, baker, etc.:
Tip $5.00-$10.00 each. The host or wedding consultant tips the drivers at the delivery site(s).
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Musicians or DJ:
This is optional. If you choose, tip $20.00-$25.00 each. The reception host or wedding consultant offers in envelopes at the end of the reception.
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And remember, tipping is a personal expression of gratitude for gracious and efficient service. The suggestions given above are only guidelines and apply when gratuities are not included in the bill. If you are unsure whether gratuities are covered, or if you’re still confused about who and how much to tip, just ask.
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