How Much to Tip Wedding Vendors
10–20%
Wedding tipping varies by vendor: catering and bar staff 15–20% (unless a service charge covers it), hair and makeup 15–25%, delivery and setup crews $10–20 each, and a flat thank-you for photographers, DJs and musicians. Owners of a business are optional to tip.
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Within the 10–20% range for wedding vendors.
Tipping wedding vendors: situation by situation
| Situation | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Catering / servers (no service charge) | 15–20% of food & beverage |
| Bartenders | 10% of liquor bill or $50–100 each |
| Hair and makeup | 15–25% |
| Wedding planner (employee) | $100–500 or 10–20% |
| Photographer / videographer | $50–200 per shooter |
| DJ or band | $50–150 per person |
| Officiant | $50–100 (donation if clergy) |
| Delivery and setup crews | $10–20 per person |
| Shuttle or limo driver | 15–20% |
Worth knowing
- Read each contract: many venues add a 20%+ "service charge" that may or may not reach staff.
- Put tips in labeled envelopes and give them to a trusted person to hand out at the end of the night.
Questions people ask
Do you tip a wedding photographer?
Not required, especially if they own the business, but $50–200 per shooter is a common thank-you.
Who hands out the wedding tips?
Usually the planner, a parent or the best person, using prepared, labeled envelopes.