To know how much to tip wedding vendors, check your contracts first for an included service charge, then tip the rest in cash. As a guide, plan 15 to 20 percent for catering and bar staff, 15 to 25 percent for hair and makeup, $50 to $200 per photographer or videographer, $50 to $150 for a DJ, and $50 to $100 for the officiant. Tipping is a thank-you for great service, not a requirement.
Tipping is the part of the budget couples forget until the week before, then panic over. The good news: there are clear norms, and a fair amount is optional. The single most important step happens before you tip anyone, which is reading your contracts, because many caterers and venues already build a service charge or gratuity into the bill. Here is how much to tip wedding vendors, vendor by vendor.
Lining up your vendors? Our vendor outreach tool helps you track every contract, which is exactly where you confirm whether gratuity is already included.
Wedding vendor tipping cheat sheet
These ranges reflect The Knot's wedding vendor tipping guide. Treat them as norms, then adjust up for service that goes above and beyond.
| Vendor | Typical tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Catering and waitstaff | 15 to 20% of the food and drink fee | Often already included as a service charge; check the contract first |
| Bartenders | 15 to 20% of the drink fee | Only if gratuity is not in the contract |
| Hair and makeup | 15 to 25% of the total bill | Tip like a salon, per artist |
| Photographer / videographer | $50 to $200 per team member, or 5 to 15% | Optional, especially if they own the business |
| DJ | $50 to $150 | Based on the total service cost |
| Band / ceremony musicians | $15 to $50 per member | Per musician |
| Officiant | $50 to $100, plus a donation | $100 to $500 donation if at a house of worship |
| Wedding planner / coordinator | 15 to 20% of the fee, or a gift | Optional; many couples give a thoughtful gift instead |
| Delivery and setup staff | $10 to $50 per person | For florists' crews, rental delivery, etc. |
| Transportation | 15 to 20%, or about $50 per driver | Check if gratuity is on the invoice |
Check the contract before you tip
Before you decide who to tip at a wedding, read every contract for the words "service charge" or "gratuity included." Catering and venue contracts frequently add a service charge of 18 to 25 percent, and transportation invoices often include a driver gratuity. If it is already there, you are not obligated to tip again on top, though a small additional cash thank-you for standout service is always welcome. This one check can save you several hundred dollars and a double-tip.
Which vendors do you tip, and who can you skip?
- Service staff are the priority. Waitstaff, bartenders, hair and makeup artists, and delivery crews are the most expected tips, since tipping is standard in their trades.
- Business owners are optional. When a photographer, planner or DJ owns their company, a tip is genuinely optional; they set their own rates. A glowing review and a referral can mean more.
- The planner is commonly skipped. Many couples give their planner a heartfelt gift or a great review rather than cash. If you do tip, a percentage of the fee is the norm.
- Nobody is owed a tip. Tipping rewards great service. If a vendor underdelivered, you are not obligated, and an honest review is the more useful response.
How to hand out wedding tips
Cash in labeled envelopes is the standard and most welcome way to tip. A week or two before the wedding, get the cash, write each vendor's name and amount on an envelope, and hand the stack to one trusted person, usually your day-of coordinator, best man, or a parent, to distribute at the end of the night. Tip after the service is delivered, not before. Keep your day-of timeline handy so whoever is in charge knows when each vendor finishes.
Frequently asked questions
How much do you tip wedding vendors?
Plan 15 to 20 percent for catering and bar staff, 15 to 25 percent for hair and makeup, $50 to $200 per photographer or videographer, $50 to $150 for a DJ, and $50 to $100 for the officiant, per The Knot's tipping guide. Always check contracts first for an included service charge.
Who do you tip at a wedding?
Prioritize service staff: waitstaff, bartenders, hair and makeup artists, musicians, and delivery crews. Tips for business owners like photographers, DJs and planners are optional, and the wedding planner is the most commonly skipped, often replaced by a gift or a great review.
Do you tip wedding vendors if gratuity is included?
No, you are not obligated to tip again if your contract already includes a service charge or gratuity, which is common for catering, venues and transportation. Read every contract first. A small extra cash thank-you for exceptional service is optional but appreciated.
How much do you tip a wedding coordinator?
If you tip your wedding coordinator, 15 to 20 percent of the fee is the norm, but coordinators are the least commonly tipped vendor. Many couples give a thoughtful gift or a strong review instead, which is perfectly acceptable.