I am getting married in November 2008 at The Carltun in East Meadow and I am trying to figure out how much we are supposed to tip all of the vendors. We have 2 photographers (and they bring an assistant), a videographer, 2 musicians for the ceremony/cocktail hour, a DJ for the reception, and an attendant for the photobooth.
The Knot has an article that says we should tip the photographer/videographer $50-200 per vendor, but is this enough given the inflated prices in NY and LI for vendors? I'm just not sure that $200 is enough for a photographer that is spending 9 hours with us?
Also, I read that we should drop off cash at The Carltun the day before the wedding so the maitre d' can tip the people delivering the flowers, photobooth, etc. Did anyone else do this or are planning on doing it?
I usually over tip everyone, but of course this is not your everyday event so I want to make sure that I am at least tipping enough. TIA!!
I actually am not tipping my photographer and videographer. They have their own small businesses with no overhead (work out of their homes) so they pocket pretty much what they are charging and their prices are quite inflated. If I like the outcomes I might tip them then. I am going to see my florist that day so I will tip her when she drops off our bouquets and as for the wait staff I was going to have my dad find the planner earlier that day but its really all preference. When you are dealing with cash though I get a bit nervous. Not everyone is probably as honest as you and I. Can you have the best man or your dad be around when deliveries are coming in so they can tip them? If not maybe the matre'd is your best bet.
Oh and I am getting married in NJ just so you know its probably pretty comparable. I do think tips are all a preference. I asked my friends that had most recently gotten married for their suggestions as a guideline.
Please do not make the mistake of thinking that photographers and videographers do not have overhead. It's incredibly expensive to run a reputable business, even out of your home. Equipment, taxes, and insurance make up a few of the biggies.
MrsB,
Many vendors do not even expect tips, so I'd say that the $50-$200 range should be fine. I think $200 might be excessive for some.
Wait....so you're telling me that I'm already paying my photographer 1800 dollars plus mileage and I'm supposed to tip him too? Seriously? I'm not trying to be mean here, but come on!
I think it is important to tip your photographers, espcially if they do a really good job. That being said, you should not tip more than you can afford, so if it is only $100 each, and $50 for the assistant, that should be enough, and of course you can tip more if you like! Also remember, the photographer is taking the photos on your wedding day, but they have not processed them, photoshopped, or delivered the final product to you yet, so tipping may help ensure they give you the best service after the wedding. (Although i like to think the photographers are professional enough to not treat you poorly if you don't tip). If the photographer is for some reason really awful or rude, then I might consider not tipping.
Here is a question on tipping, we are paying for the cake delivery already (even though the bakery is like 1 mile away), so do I need to tip the people who deliver the cake? Keep in mind, they are not setting up the cake, just driving it over. My thoughts are no tip, or maybe just like $5 to the driver, like it's a pizza?
I really am bothered by all of this (as you can tell from my previous post).....I think all of this tipping is just so out of hand. NO, you shouldn't have to tip when you are paying a delivery charge. NO you shouldn't have to tip when you're paying someone 1800 dollars to photograph your wedding and that does not include ANY prints. No no no. WHen is the last time YOU all made 1800 dollars in 8 hours? I don't even make that in a month! Seriously........arent' we being a bit overgenerous here. If they wanted the extra money, they should put it in the cost. TIPPING SHOULD NEVER BE EXPECTED. By the time I'm done "mandatory tipping" all of my vendors, I'll be an extra grand in the hole! Anyone else frustrated with this concept? I hate tipping just because it's expected of me. It's one thing to do it because someone was done excellently, but a whole other thing if you get bad service later because you have already shelled out a ton of money for a service and then they expect a tip on top of that. Please, someone tell me you feel the same way.
As a videographer, with a home-based business, I hear all of your concerns...and it's like this:
Yes, it's expensive, but videographers should set their rates based on their professionalism, quality of their product and industry standards. The cameras we use cost anywhere between $2000 and $6000...stripped, accessories can add another few thousand to that. You spend 6-12 hours shooting the wedding day, whatever you agree on, PLUS another 10-20 hours editing it! There are also smaller costs that add up, tape stock, printer ink, DVDs, music selected from couples, etc. Not to mention wear and tear, not just on your camera or your body, but also on your accessories and editing equipment, which can cost upwards of $10,000. And most of those items have to be replaced/upgraded every 5 years or so. That is all taken into consideration.
We probably charge in the average range for the better videos locally. That being said, part of the "professionalism" includes not expecting a tip!
Never have we awkwardly lingered, waiting around for a tip. No one should expect one. Servers in restaurants should expect a tip, but never vendors, unless you're completely pompous.
We never secretly seethe on the car ride home "I can't believe that bridezilla didn't tip us!" Isn't the whole point of a tip to be surplus? Not something you should feel entitled to? Something extra you earn for going above and beyond? We have been tipped, I'd say about 10-25% of our clients tip us and we are seriously astounded by the gesture, because we do realize that weddings are incredibly pricy and there is a long list of expenses. So when we do get a tip, we are incredibly honored to know that the couple felt that we did such a good job, that they felt compelled to spend more than they'd budgeted on us! It's a nice reward for hard work and should be appreciated, not expected!
If you want a professional wedding video, expect to pay for one...but don't expect to tip! :)
I am in complete agreement with gracielou on this one. Tipping should never be mandatory - it is almost seen as something you HAVE to do. It is something that you can do if someone gives you exemplary service above and beyond what you expected if costs are typically included. For waitstaff - most major caterers already charge 18 percent gratuity on top of the final food bill - so tipping the waitstaff seems silly and obnoxious. I could see tipping the band for playing a few of your extra songs requested, or perhaps learning the song you had to have played. But after you tip a 5 piece band, photogs, video, etc, you end up with an extra 1-2k tacked on! I say just say no if it is in your bill for waitstaff - and use your best judgement in other areas.
I am interested in this topic as well. I am in an area of NJ where vendors' prices are on the higher end of the spectrum. I am the first of my friends to get married so I have no one to ask, but I always assumed (based on wedding magazines, wedding themed tip envelopes in shops, etc.) that tips were mandatory but when I mentioned it to my mom she practically had steam coming out of her ears! I admit when I added up the 'suggested' gratuities it amounted to a small fortune. Do you tip a wedding planner who is the owner of her business? I was thinking a gift would be more appropriate... I've seen that you should be tipping band members 10-20% individually but we are having a 10 person band... It could easily get out of control if you follow the 'guidelines.'
I am in Northern NJ and feel the same way. I mean my photographer is costing me $5k without albums and I am supposed to tip him as well? I mean I might but I would rather see how his work is first so maybe he will get it after the fact and I do feel the same for the videographer. I am extra tipping the servers at the reception, bartenders, valet drivers, and coat check (we are getting married in 2 weeks and its getting cooler!). I am giving some money to my ceremony musicians who just went above and beyond. I am tipping the band. Soontobekgc I have 9 people and will tip the leader $50 and each member $25. I have heard friends giving lump sums though. I guess its all about what you feel and where you think they deserve that extra special treat. Believe me I know in the service industry the tips do help but I also think they should not expect them.
If you Google the terms "wedding tipping etiquette" you'll get a good selection of opinions and suggestions for who to tip, and how much. That being said, there may be some variation from state to state, or region to region.
But from my experience, most photographers who are owners of their business do not expect tips. Of course, if you feel your photographer has gone above and beyond then it's always appreciated, but tips are generally not expected. However, if the photographer is a freelancer working for a studio, or a staff photographer (not the owner) then it's certainly appropriate to include a tip. I hope that helps!
I am sorry if my original post was not clear, but I WANT to tip my vendors. I am not doing it because I am obligated to. I have a few vendors that have been amazing so far (including my photographer) and I just want to make sure that I tip enough to show my appreciation for his hard work over the past couple of months and then on the day of the wedding.
However, I understand that tipping may be expected by some vendors. And I would still only tip those vendors if they provided exceptional services for the wedding. If I had a horrible experience with one, I wouldn't tip them. But, I do not think that just because someone expects a tip should automatically rule them out for getting one (if they went over and beyond in providing their services).
Lastly, I do not agree that a photographer gets $1800 for only 8 hours of work. At least with my photographer, he has spent a lot of time with us already, is always available for questions, and will be spending a lot of time after the wedding on the resulting pictures and album. Also, a professional photographer's job is not an 8-hour job everyday. They usually only have events on weekends so it is not like they are getting $1800 every day.
I've worked with a photog who charges around what you're paying for photos and he is elated to get a $100 tip...(even though he split it with me).
He will appreciate the gesture and your appreciation of all his hard work. I'd say $100 and up would be substantial enough.
Joe advised googling for answers. I've heard 10%, but I realize sometimes you may feel the need or desire to spread the wealth and it can get pricy. 10% should transcend the market variations throughout the country. So in NJ, I'm guessing it'd be closer to $200.
I'd say $100 is a good starting off point. Whatever he gets over that will most likely blow him away!
from what i've heard - you only tip photographers if they work for a studio because the studio will take a cut of whatever you paid. however, if a photographer works for himself, then you don't need to tip. the same logic applies to hair, makeup, DJ, classical musicians, florist, etc.
She wants to tip though, she's just wondering what the industry standard is. Like everyone knows in a restaurant it's 15-20%.
I DO WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree that it's nice to tip a photographer/videographer who works as a freelancer for another company/studio. The company often does NO work (aside from booking the clients and mailing out the finished product that can often be edited by a freelancer), sends out their shooter, who often is using their own gear, and then pays them $400-$650 for doing 60% of the work. Sometimes they work 12 hour days, on their feet, while still creatively and cinematically shooting a mini documentary!
Anecdotal:
That same photographer I worked with was a freelancer for one of those one stop wedding shops where you get video, photo, dj, cake, flowers, etc. He just finished up his scheduled day and went up to the groom and said that he was all finished and if there was anything else they needed.
The groom asked him how much it would cost for him to stay another hour. The photog said the company charges $200. The groom asked the photog how much of that $200 would he get and the photog said $50. So the groom said "How 'bout I give you $100 and you don't tell 'em you hung around for another hour."
All of these people you are dealing with are VENDORS they set their own prices, if you want to tip a delivery boy that is another story but this is a preposterous idea that one must tip a person that is in business for themselves. Should I tip my accountant? My lawyers? My architect? I think it is out of hand. Even a hairdresser who is in business for themselves should not take tips. I really do think this is out of hand but if it makes one feel as though they are in a constant state of kindness...then do it for yourself and enjoy. Its good for the economy.
for those that worked for a "company" or "studio" i tipped $50-100 depending on what they do and how long they did it for. like for example, i gave $80 to my photobooth person. she stood for 4 hours. i gave my DJ about $90. My ceremony musician about $60. hope this helps!
I thought that if the person providing the service owned the business than you don't need to tip? Now that I am reading these posts I am confused. Is this not the right way to do it??
I am getting married in November 2008 at The Carltun in East Meadow and I am trying to figure out how much we are supposed to tip all of the vendors. We have 2 photographers (and they bring an assistant), a videographer, 2 musicians for the ceremony/cocktail hour, a DJ for the reception, and an attendant for the photobooth.
The Knot has an article that says we should tip the photographer/videographer $50-200 per vendor, but is this enough given the inflated prices in NY and LI for vendors? I'm just not sure that $200 is enough for a photographer that is spending 9 hours with us?
Also, I read that we should drop off cash at The Carltun the day before the wedding so the maitre d' can tip the people delivering the flowers, photobooth, etc. Did anyone else do this or are planning on doing it?
I usually over tip everyone, but of course this is not your everyday event so I want to make sure that I am at least tipping enough. TIA!!
posted by CantWait2BMrsB 10 posts 1 month agoI actually am not tipping my photographer and videographer. They have their own small businesses with no overhead (work out of their homes) so they pocket pretty much what they are charging and their prices are quite inflated. If I like the outcomes I might tip them then. I am going to see my florist that day so I will tip her when she drops off our bouquets and as for the wait staff I was going to have my dad find the planner earlier that day but its really all preference. When you are dealing with cash though I get a bit nervous. Not everyone is probably as honest as you and I. Can you have the best man or your dad be around when deliveries are coming in so they can tip them? If not maybe the matre'd is your best bet.
Oh and I am getting married in NJ just so you know its probably pretty comparable. I do think tips are all a preference. I asked my friends that had most recently gotten married for their suggestions as a guideline.
posted by pinklau325 119 posts 1 month agopinklau,
Please do not make the mistake of thinking that photographers and videographers do not have overhead. It's incredibly expensive to run a reputable business, even out of your home. Equipment, taxes, and insurance make up a few of the biggies.
MrsB,
Many vendors do not even expect tips, so I'd say that the $50-$200 range should be fine. I think $200 might be excessive for some.
Jessica
http://www.snaptacularphotos.com/blog/
posted by saltyveruca 61 posts 1 month agoWait....so you're telling me that I'm already paying my photographer 1800 dollars plus mileage and I'm supposed to tip him too? Seriously? I'm not trying to be mean here, but come on!
posted by gracielou 90 posts 1 month agoI think it is important to tip your photographers, espcially if they do a really good job. That being said, you should not tip more than you can afford, so if it is only $100 each, and $50 for the assistant, that should be enough, and of course you can tip more if you like! Also remember, the photographer is taking the photos on your wedding day, but they have not processed them, photoshopped, or delivered the final product to you yet, so tipping may help ensure they give you the best service after the wedding. (Although i like to think the photographers are professional enough to not treat you poorly if you don't tip). If the photographer is for some reason really awful or rude, then I might consider not tipping.
Here is a question on tipping, we are paying for the cake delivery already (even though the bakery is like 1 mile away), so do I need to tip the people who deliver the cake? Keep in mind, they are not setting up the cake, just driving it over. My thoughts are no tip, or maybe just like $5 to the driver, like it's a pizza?
posted by DrB 107 posts 1 month agoI really am bothered by all of this (as you can tell from my previous post).....I think all of this tipping is just so out of hand. NO, you shouldn't have to tip when you are paying a delivery charge. NO you shouldn't have to tip when you're paying someone 1800 dollars to photograph your wedding and that does not include ANY prints. No no no. WHen is the last time YOU all made 1800 dollars in 8 hours? I don't even make that in a month! Seriously........arent' we being a bit overgenerous here. If they wanted the extra money, they should put it in the cost. TIPPING SHOULD NEVER BE EXPECTED. By the time I'm done "mandatory tipping" all of my vendors, I'll be an extra grand in the hole! Anyone else frustrated with this concept? I hate tipping just because it's expected of me. It's one thing to do it because someone was done excellently, but a whole other thing if you get bad service later because you have already shelled out a ton of money for a service and then they expect a tip on top of that. Please, someone tell me you feel the same way.
posted by gracielou 90 posts 1 month agoOh yeah...."Only a hundred dolllars each".......I shouldn't have to get a second job to pay for all these tips.
posted by gracielou 90 posts 1 month agoI agree with you Gracielou.
posted by miley123 4 posts 1 month agoAs a videographer, with a home-based business, I hear all of your concerns...and it's like this:
Yes, it's expensive, but videographers should set their rates based on their professionalism, quality of their product and industry standards. The cameras we use cost anywhere between $2000 and $6000...stripped, accessories can add another few thousand to that. You spend 6-12 hours shooting the wedding day, whatever you agree on, PLUS another 10-20 hours editing it! There are also smaller costs that add up, tape stock, printer ink, DVDs, music selected from couples, etc. Not to mention wear and tear, not just on your camera or your body, but also on your accessories and editing equipment, which can cost upwards of $10,000. And most of those items have to be replaced/upgraded every 5 years or so. That is all taken into consideration.
We probably charge in the average range for the better videos locally. That being said, part of the "professionalism" includes not expecting a tip!
Never have we awkwardly lingered, waiting around for a tip. No one should expect one. Servers in restaurants should expect a tip, but never vendors, unless you're completely pompous.
We never secretly seethe on the car ride home "I can't believe that bridezilla didn't tip us!" Isn't the whole point of a tip to be surplus? Not something you should feel entitled to? Something extra you earn for going above and beyond? We have been tipped, I'd say about 10-25% of our clients tip us and we are seriously astounded by the gesture, because we do realize that weddings are incredibly pricy and there is a long list of expenses. So when we do get a tip, we are incredibly honored to know that the couple felt that we did such a good job, that they felt compelled to spend more than they'd budgeted on us! It's a nice reward for hard work and should be appreciated, not expected!
If you want a professional wedding video, expect to pay for one...but don't expect to tip! :)
posted by vacilando 10 posts 1 month agoI am in complete agreement with gracielou on this one. Tipping should never be mandatory - it is almost seen as something you HAVE to do. It is something that you can do if someone gives you exemplary service above and beyond what you expected if costs are typically included. For waitstaff - most major caterers already charge 18 percent gratuity on top of the final food bill - so tipping the waitstaff seems silly and obnoxious. I could see tipping the band for playing a few of your extra songs requested, or perhaps learning the song you had to have played. But after you tip a 5 piece band, photogs, video, etc, you end up with an extra 1-2k tacked on! I say just say no if it is in your bill for waitstaff - and use your best judgement in other areas.
posted by ivygal 10 posts 1 month agoI am interested in this topic as well. I am in an area of NJ where vendors' prices are on the higher end of the spectrum. I am the first of my friends to get married so I have no one to ask, but I always assumed (based on wedding magazines, wedding themed tip envelopes in shops, etc.) that tips were mandatory but when I mentioned it to my mom she practically had steam coming out of her ears! I admit when I added up the 'suggested' gratuities it amounted to a small fortune. Do you tip a wedding planner who is the owner of her business? I was thinking a gift would be more appropriate... I've seen that you should be tipping band members 10-20% individually but we are having a 10 person band... It could easily get out of control if you follow the 'guidelines.'
posted by SoonToBeKGC 20 posts 1 month agoI am in Northern NJ and feel the same way. I mean my photographer is costing me $5k without albums and I am supposed to tip him as well? I mean I might but I would rather see how his work is first so maybe he will get it after the fact and I do feel the same for the videographer. I am extra tipping the servers at the reception, bartenders, valet drivers, and coat check (we are getting married in 2 weeks and its getting cooler!). I am giving some money to my ceremony musicians who just went above and beyond. I am tipping the band. Soontobekgc I have 9 people and will tip the leader $50 and each member $25. I have heard friends giving lump sums though. I guess its all about what you feel and where you think they deserve that extra special treat. Believe me I know in the service industry the tips do help but I also think they should not expect them.
posted by pinklau325 119 posts 1 month agoIf you Google the terms "wedding tipping etiquette" you'll get a good selection of opinions and suggestions for who to tip, and how much. That being said, there may be some variation from state to state, or region to region.
But from my experience, most photographers who are owners of their business do not expect tips. Of course, if you feel your photographer has gone above and beyond then it's always appreciated, but tips are generally not expected. However, if the photographer is a freelancer working for a studio, or a staff photographer (not the owner) then it's certainly appropriate to include a tip. I hope that helps!
Joe Milton
International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers
posted by ispwp 41 posts 1 month agoI am sorry if my original post was not clear, but I WANT to tip my vendors. I am not doing it because I am obligated to. I have a few vendors that have been amazing so far (including my photographer) and I just want to make sure that I tip enough to show my appreciation for his hard work over the past couple of months and then on the day of the wedding.
However, I understand that tipping may be expected by some vendors. And I would still only tip those vendors if they provided exceptional services for the wedding. If I had a horrible experience with one, I wouldn't tip them. But, I do not think that just because someone expects a tip should automatically rule them out for getting one (if they went over and beyond in providing their services).
Lastly, I do not agree that a photographer gets $1800 for only 8 hours of work. At least with my photographer, he has spent a lot of time with us already, is always available for questions, and will be spending a lot of time after the wedding on the resulting pictures and album. Also, a professional photographer's job is not an 8-hour job everyday. They usually only have events on weekends so it is not like they are getting $1800 every day.
posted by CantWait2BMrsB 10 posts 1 month agoFuture Mrs. B,
I've worked with a photog who charges around what you're paying for photos and he is elated to get a $100 tip...(even though he split it with me).
He will appreciate the gesture and your appreciation of all his hard work. I'd say $100 and up would be substantial enough.
Joe advised googling for answers. I've heard 10%, but I realize sometimes you may feel the need or desire to spread the wealth and it can get pricy. 10% should transcend the market variations throughout the country. So in NJ, I'm guessing it'd be closer to $200.
I'd say $100 is a good starting off point. Whatever he gets over that will most likely blow him away!
Enjoy your wedding day!
posted by vacilando 10 posts 1 month agofrom what i've heard - you only tip photographers if they work for a studio because the studio will take a cut of whatever you paid. however, if a photographer works for himself, then you don't need to tip. the same logic applies to hair, makeup, DJ, classical musicians, florist, etc.
posted by Amy 209 posts 1 month agoShe wants to tip though, she's just wondering what the industry standard is. Like everyone knows in a restaurant it's 15-20%.
I DO WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree that it's nice to tip a photographer/videographer who works as a freelancer for another company/studio. The company often does NO work (aside from booking the clients and mailing out the finished product that can often be edited by a freelancer), sends out their shooter, who often is using their own gear, and then pays them $400-$650 for doing 60% of the work. Sometimes they work 12 hour days, on their feet, while still creatively and cinematically shooting a mini documentary!
Anecdotal:
That same photographer I worked with was a freelancer for one of those one stop wedding shops where you get video, photo, dj, cake, flowers, etc. He just finished up his scheduled day and went up to the groom and said that he was all finished and if there was anything else they needed.
The groom asked him how much it would cost for him to stay another hour. The photog said the company charges $200. The groom asked the photog how much of that $200 would he get and the photog said $50. So the groom said "How 'bout I give you $100 and you don't tell 'em you hung around for another hour."
posted by vacilando 10 posts 1 month agoAll of these people you are dealing with are VENDORS they set their own prices, if you want to tip a delivery boy that is another story but this is a preposterous idea that one must tip a person that is in business for themselves. Should I tip my accountant? My lawyers? My architect? I think it is out of hand. Even a hairdresser who is in business for themselves should not take tips. I really do think this is out of hand but if it makes one feel as though they are in a constant state of kindness...then do it for yourself and enjoy. Its good for the economy.
posted by Hyacinth 33 posts 1 month agofor those that worked for a "company" or "studio" i tipped $50-100 depending on what they do and how long they did it for. like for example, i gave $80 to my photobooth person. she stood for 4 hours. i gave my DJ about $90. My ceremony musician about $60. hope this helps!
posted by Amy 209 posts 1 month agoI thought that if the person providing the service owned the business than you don't need to tip? Now that I am reading these posts I am confused. Is this not the right way to do it??
posted by JDH 15 posts 1 month ago