| Planning a wedding can be an exciting, frightening, | | | | other things taking up your time. Pick a member |
| fun, stressful, happy, invigorating experience. Once | | | | of your wedding party, your wedding coordinator |
| you actually get to your wedding you just want | | | | or another trusted friend or family member to |
| to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your | | | | act as a designated tipper. |
| labor - but you're not done yet! The many | | | | Give your designated tipper clear and concise |
| different fabulous vendors at your wedding | | | | rules or guidelines ahead of time on how much to |
| ceremony and reception need tips. But how do | | | | tip each vendor, and provide the tipper with |
| you know how much to tip, and to whom? Read | | | | envelopes clearly marked with the vendor's name |
| on for some basic wedding tipping tips that any | | | | (and possibly their service, i.e. John Smith - |
| bride can use. | | | | photographer, to avoid any confusion) to put the |
| Is tipping mandatory? | | | | tip in, because no one wants to keep track of a |
| Short answer: no. Long answer: there are three | | | | handful of cash. |
| different ways to look at it. Unlike a waitress or a | | | | Tight Budget? |
| bartender, who generally does not get an hourly | | | | Tips should be included in your budget to avoid |
| wage and depends on your tips to earn a living, | | | | overspending, but if you are tight on money there |
| your vendors have already been paid for their | | | | are other ways to show your appreciation. Most |
| services. Some couples think that they have paid | | | | vendors require a meal, and have it written into |
| their vendor the required fee, and that should be | | | | their contracts, but you could provide them with |
| enough. Other couples decide to tip their vendors | | | | beverages as well (just take it easy on the |
| a set amount ahead of time, no matter what the | | | | alcoholic beverages when they still have to work). |
| service is like. The third type of couple will wait to | | | | You should also include them in your thank you |
| see the type of service they receive, and then | | | | notes, and if your vendor did an exceptionally |
| tip (or not tip) accordingly. | | | | outstanding job, write a formal letter of reference |
| In general, although vendors are already being paid | | | | that they can show to other brides and grooms |
| for their services, there is often a very small | | | | interested in their services. |
| margin of profit, so they expect tips and depend | | | | Last but not least, remember that this is your big |
| on that money. Tipping is always recommended if | | | | day. Don't sweat the small stuff - just enjoy your |
| your vendor has gone above and beyond what | | | | wedding. You deserve it! Vendors should be tipped |
| was expected or if they worked with your | | | | the day of, but don't worry if you forget. They |
| smaller budget or gave you discounts. | | | | can always be tipped afterwards if everyone gets |
| Delegate! | | | | too caught up in the wedding celebration. |
| The only thing you want to do on your wedding | | | | helps Brides and Grooms through the sometimes |
| day is sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your | | | | challenging, but always exciting process of planning |
| labor. You've done lots of work leading up to this, | | | | a wedding and honeymoon. |
| so don't worry about tipping - you'll have plenty of | | | | |