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Tipping
Do's & Don'ts
By
Megan Mercer
Last Update:
November 5, 2004
Gratuities
are the most commonly overlooked expense when couples
are
creating
their preliminary budgets. Depending on the size
of your wedding, tipping can easily add anywhere from
a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to your bottom
line!
Tipping
expectations
While tipping
is generally expected, it is not required. How much
or whom you tip is completely
at your discretion. Tips are given as a reward for extraordinary
service. Read all of your contracts carefully, many wedding
service bills may already include gratuity. If you are
ever unsure of whom to tip or how much is customary,
don't be afraid to ask the person about the common
practice for their industry.
Prepare
the tips in advance
Calculate all of your tips before
the wedding, and place the cash in a separate labeled
envelope for each person. Designate
someone to distribute the tips to be paid on the day
of your wedding. The host of the reception, the wedding
planner,
or the
best
man are all good choices. Just in case...it is
also a good idea to put some extra cash in a separate
envelope
to
have at your disposal. This
will come in handy if a bill is larger than expected
or someone goes above and beyond the call of duty on
the big day.
Here are
some guidelines of who to tip, when and how much...
-
Caterers
& Reception Site Managers: Usually have
gratuities of 15% to 20% included in their contracts.
If the caterer or manager has been exceptionally helpful,
you may wish to give him or her an additional
tip, usually $1-$2 per guest.
- Wait staff: Usually
receive 15-20% of the food bill. Caterers sometimes
include this gratuity in their
contract. But if the tip is not included, give the
tip to the head waiter during the
reception.
- Bartenders: Should
be tipped 15% to 20% of the total bar bill. Be
careful sometimes their gratuity is already included
in the catering contract. If so, an additional
tip of 10% is nice.
Note: Don't allow
the bartender to accept tips from guests; ask him
to put
up a small
sign that says, "No tipping, please."
- Delivery
People (florist, bakery, party rental, etc): About
$10 per person is a nice gesture for their labor.
- Parking Attendants: Usually
$1 to $2 per car given to the supervisor ahead of time.
Once again don't allow the staff to accept tips from
guests.
Spread the word that the tips have been taken
care of so that
your guests don't feel like they have to pay.
- Restroom & Coat
Check Attendants: Usually
$.50 to $1 per guest. Customarily given to their supervisor
ahead of time.
- Limousine Drivers/Chauffeurs: Usually
receive 15% to 20% of the bill, if not included in
the contract. Typically given after you have
arrived safe and sound and on time. Additional
tips are at the host's discretion.
- Musicians & DJs: For
both ceremony and reception musicians, tipping is
completely optional. You may wish to tip,
if their performance if exceptional. Tips
usually run about $20 to $25 per musician or band
member. DJs
are tipped about 15% to 20% of their fee.
- Florists,
Photographers, and Bakers: Not
usually tipped; you simply pay a flat fee for their
services. However if someone goes above and
beyond the call of duty, a tip or gift is always
appreciated.
- Officiant: Never
tipped; he or she receives a flat fee for performing
the service. A religious officiant may ask
for a donation for his or her house of worship, but
a civil officiant is not allowed to accept tips.
Tipping Rule of Thumb:
It is customary to only tip the
staff; never tip the owner!
Remember if someone goes out of their way to be helpful,
even if it is inappropriate to tip them, sending a thank
you note is always nice and appreciated!
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