Today we’re looking for your feedback on a hot topic: Tipping Wedding Vendors! Whether you’re a wedding vendor or you’re a bride or groom, we want to hear from you.
Wedding Vendor readers: How do you feel about clients tipping you? Do you consider it a surprise when you get one, or do you expect it, depending on your area of expertise? Do you find that your clients typically tip you as a percentage or a standard amount? And most importantly: What do you believe the standard tipping guidelines should be for your area of expertise, and for the wedding industry as a whole?
Bride or Groom readers: Did you tip your vendors? Were there specific vendors you tipped and others you did not? When it came to the amount of money that you tipped, what guidelines or suggestions did you follow?
Any and all feedback is highly appreciated! Feel free to comment in response, or email us at hello{at}charmcitywed{dot}com. Your feedback will be used in an upcoming comprehensive post about tipping.
Before you go, are you caught up on this week’s gorgeous posts?
- A sweet e-session in historic Ellicott City, by Brittany Thomas Photography
- Tips on how to keep you and your guests warm during a fall/winter wedding!
- A gorgeous rainy-day wedding at Shade Trees & Evergreens, by Ashley Michelle Photography
- A fun carnival-themed anniversary session (featuring our editor Serena & her husband Chad!), by Nessa K Photography
Happy Friday!
I’m a planner, and when a client tips me, I consider it more of a “gift” than anything. I definitely don’t expect any type of tip after the fact, though it’s always appreciated! I feel that the same should go for all vendors, though it’s different for event “staff” who get paid hourly. I still feel that it’s entirely up to the couple, however, and that they shouldn’t feel obligated. My husband works as a bartender at a Country Club, and they tack on mandatory tips to the total bill, but he (and the rest of the staff) never see it. That bothers me…
I feel the same way as Joelle… I look at tips a surprise/gift and I don’t typically expect to be given anything extra. But I have received tips on occasion, even after regular portrait sessions.
I think it is slightly crazy to feel any obligation to tip a small business owner. It should only be done out of genuine gratitude.